Someone must score the first touchdown of the game, and this article will help you increase your odds of hitting on that player based on matchups and team strengths. It features the best selections for the Sunday slate.
I will track my plays here on BettingPros. Let's get to the NFL Week 9 First touchdown scorers picks & predictions.
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NFL Week 9 First Touchdown Scorer Picks & Predictions
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
These odds are too good to pass up for Sam LaPorta. Every other sportsbook has him in the +900 to +950 range, while bet365 is up at +1200. The value is superb for this bet, but his matchup is not bad either. The Vikings are middle of the road against the tight end position, but they allow 0.57 touchdowns per game to them.
That ranks eighth-most across the league. LaPorta has five targets in the red zone this season, catching three of them for two touchdowns. He ranks third on the team for targets inside the red zone, behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. It is a good week to take a shot on LaPorta, especially at this value.
Pick: Sam LaPorta (+1200 via bet365)
Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Everyone celebrated the tight ends last week, but I am going back to the well again this week with two tight ends to start this list. Tyler Warren has remained fantastic all season and is as consistent as you could hope for a rookie tight end.
The Steelers just got tormented by Tucker Kraft and the Packers, so Warren should be an elite option this week for Daniel Jones and the Colts. The Steelers are the second-worst team against tight ends this season, and allow the second-most touchdowns per game (0.86) to the position. Warren is going to find the end zone this week. Hopefully, it comes on their first possession.
Pick: Tyler Warren (+950 via BetRivers)
Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals
Ja'Marr Chase has been a target magnet over the past four weeks. His lowest target total since Week 6 is 10, and he has 64 targets over that span. He has turned that into 44 receptions, 456 yards and three touchdowns. The snag this week is that Joe Flacco is dealing with a shoulder injury and is questionable to play against the Bears.
Jake Browning would step in as the starter if Flacco were unable to play, which would not be good for Chase. Still, the Bears struggle against wide receivers, allowing 1.43 touchdowns per game to the position, which is the third-most in the league. I like Chase to find paydirt first this week, even if Browning is under center.
Pick: Ja'Marr Chase (+650 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills
The Chiefs and the Bills are two of the top pass defenses in the league this season. That may cause Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes to play more conservatively and utilize their legs more.
Allen did not run much last week, but scored twice on his three carries and seven yards. He has five rushing touchdowns all season, and two games with two touchdowns. I expect him to run more this week and keep his team in the game with his legs if the Chiefs' defense does not allow him to pass. Allen is a solid play to score first this week.
Pick: Josh Allen (+750 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
