Two of the most popular NFL bets this season are First Touchdown Scorer and Anytime Touchdown Scorer.
Every week during the NFL season, our experts will give you their prediction on which player they think will score the first TD for every game.
These prop bets can be difficult to predict, but they are a fan favorite among many NFL bettors.
What is a first touchdown scorer bet?
To win this bet, you must correctly pick the player to score the first touchdown in the game — the first player who receives a touchdown pass or crosses the goal line with the ball.
A touchdown scorer is defined as the player in possession of the ball in the end zone and not the player who throws the TD.
What is an anytime touchdown scorer bet?
To win this NFL bet, you must correctly pick a player who will score a touchdown. Similar to first touchdown bets, the player is the one who crosses the end zone himself, not the QB who throws to that player.
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First & Anytime Touchdown Scorer Predictions & Bets for Week 9
Dolphins vs. Ravens 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Derrick Henry (RB, Ravens) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+400)
Getting just +400 on a first touchdown bet does not feel great, but this is a perfect spot for Henry. Lamar Jackson is expected back, but he might not be as big a threat with his legs coming off the injury. The Dolphins have been better against the run the last two weeks, but this still looks like a great matchup. The Ravens are also big favorites and the more likely team to find the end zone first on Thursday night.
Dolphins vs. Ravens Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Greg Dulcich (TE, Dolphins) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+950)
Since we went chalk with first touchdown, let's get a little more interesting with the anytime score. Dulcich only ran 10 routes in Week 8, but that was the most among all Miami tight ends as they look for options in the wake of Darren Waller‘s injury. The Dolphins have heavily utilized tight ends in the scoring area, with half of Tua Tagovailoa‘s end zone targets going to the position.
Bengals vs. Bears 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
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Bengals vs. Bears Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
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Lions vs. Vikings 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Sam LaPorta (TE, Lions) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+950)
Sam LaPorta ranks 6th among tight ends in dropback participation (81.9%) and yards per route (1.87). Detroit’s last game, their Week 7 win over the Bucs, was LaPorta’s first with fewer than four targets, but he managed to pull in the three he did see to maintain an 80.6% reception rate. He trails only Amon-Ra St. Brown for the team lead in that metric, as he does in targets, receptions, and yards through eight weeks. He’ll return from the Week 8 bye to face the Vikings, who’ve allowed the 24th-ranked completion rate (78%) and the 26th-ranked touchdown rate (8%) on targets to tight ends so far this season.
Lions vs. Vikings Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Aaron Jones Sr. (RB, Vikings) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+220)
In his first game back after a month of recovery, Aaron Jones already saw the field for the majority of Minnesota’s limited rushing snaps (53.2%). He also saw participation in the receiving game, tacking on another pair of receptions to his 5-59-1 total in three games this season. Detroit has been tough on pass-catching backs this year, but they have given up 10+-yard chunk plays to Quinshon Judkins, Justice Hill, and Brashard Smith in three of their last five games.
Packers vs. Panthers 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Panthers) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+1400)
In a game in which Carolina generated just 289 yards of total offense, Tetairoa McMillan accounted for 99 of them. With seven catches, his Week 8 performance was a new season-high, but he fell just one yard short of the 100-yard day he set against Arizona in Week 2. His 43.5% target share was also a season-high. That volume looks promising heading into a game against a Packers defense ranked 28th in touchdown rate to WR1s (9.1%).
Packers vs. Panthers Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Emanuel Wilson (RB, Packers) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+150)
Although Josh Jacobs accounted for Green Bay’s only rushing score in Pittsburgh on Sunday, a lingering calf injury limited his usage. This led to Emanuel Wilson’s highest carry share (45.8%) and yard total (61) of the season so far. He’s got 162 yards on 35 carries so far this season, and we could see those numbers continue to rise this week against Carolina as Jacobs’ calf injury keeps him listed as “questionable” heading into Sunday. The Panthers defense is giving up a 26th-ranked rush per touchdown rate of 21.56.
Titans vs. Chargers 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
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Titans vs. Chargers Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
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Patriots vs. Falcons 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
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Patriots vs. Falcons Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Kayshon Boutte (WR, Patriots) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+220)
Boutte has settled into his role as Drake Maye’s trusty deep threat through the first eight weeks of the season. He leads the team with 17.03 yards per target on average, and he’s roped in 4 touchdown receptions of 25+ yards in his last four games alone. Atlanta’s defense also uses Cover 3 at the league’s highest rate, and the Patriots have targeted Boutte in Cover-3 with a team-leading 19.2% of targets.
Giants vs. 49ers 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
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Giants vs. 49ers Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
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Steelers vs. Colts 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Daniel Jones (QB, Colts) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+1600)
While Jones’ role in the rushing attack has decreased in light of the league-leading numbers Jonathan Taylor has posted to start the season, the revitalized quarterback has found some success with his legs beyond the month of September. Just three weeks ago against Arizona, Jones took one of his five carries for a 3-yard rush to extend the Indianapolis lead to start the second quarter. With the emphasis in Mike Tomlin’s camp expected to lean on shutting down Taylor, Shane Steichen could look to outsource the rushing attack to his crafty field general.
Steelers vs. Colts Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Jonnu Smith (TE, Steelers) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+235)
While his yardage totals remain lackluster, Smith leads Steelers tight ends in yards after the catch so far this season (109). The Colts have allowed a 26th-ranked 964 yards after the catch so far this season, with a 27th-ranked 8.8 yards per target to tight ends.
Texans vs. Broncos 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Woody Marks (RB, Texans) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+900)
Woody Marks broke 100 total yards in a single game for the second time in his young career on Sunday, taking 11 rushes (second on the team behind Nick Chubb) for 62 yards and four receptions for 49 yards. While Marks still trails Chubb in overall carry share, Marks has become OC Nick Caley’s’ go-to inside the 20. Marks has gone 8-24-1 on his red zone opportunities, while Chubb has posted a measly 5-5-0.
Texans vs. Broncos Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Troy Franklin (WR, Broncos) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+250)
Troy Franklin had a career day on Sunday, racking up 89 receiving yards for just the second time in his two seasons, catching six of eight targets for his first multi-touchdown outing. He now holds the third-highest share of team red zone targets of all wide receivers with 34.4%.
Raiders vs. Jaguars 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Travis Hunter (WR, Jaguars) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+1100)
With Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown both heading into Week 9 with a ‘questionable’ designation, Jacksonville’s Heisman trophy-winning wideout becomes their most reliable option. Hunter is coming off a bye week after posting career highs in targets, receptions, and yards the week before in London against the Rams. His 8-14-101 stat line was the biggest of any Jaguars receiver in a single game so far this season, and he’s poised to do it again against a Raiders team allowing a 23rd-ranked receiving percentage of 70.7%
Raiders vs. Jaguars Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Trevor Lawrence (QB, Jaguars) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+330)
Lawrence’s rushing numbers have tapered off since Week 4, but his 54-yard, two-touchdown performance on just ten carries against the Chiefs inspires hope for a repeat. He remains an important rushing option in red zone scenarios, as his 3.3 yards per rush inside the 20 leads the team.
Rams vs. Saints 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Blake Corum (RB, Rams) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+1200)
Corum saw his highest carry share of the season in London two weeks ago, racking up 37 yards on 12 carries against the Jaguars before heading into the bye week. He’ll face the Saints this week, who are facing the 30th-most rushes out of the backfield per game (24.9) and allowing a 21st-ranked 102 yards per game to RBs.
Rams vs. Saints Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Tyler Higbee (TE, Rams) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+340)
While the Rams don’t look to tight ends with any consistency, Higbee leads the unit in targets and yards. He caught his first touchdown pass of the season in Week 5’s visit to Baltimore on an eight-yard pass from Matthew Stafford, one of his nine receptions on 15 targets amid a recent uptick in production over the last three weeks. The Saints bring the 21st-ranked defense in tight end coverage efficiency, giving up 7.5 yards per target to the position.
Bills vs. Chiefs 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Rashee Rice (WR, Chiefs) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+850)
Since returning to action, Rice has received 42.9% of the Chiefs’ red zone targets, hauling in five of six for three touchdowns. One of those three was the game’s opening score in their Week 7 shutout of the Raiders. As tough as the Bills' defense has been against the pass, they rank just 15th in receiving percentage allowed with 67.8% Rice is already up to 84.2% through two games.
Bills vs. Chiefs Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Khalil Shakir (WR, Bills) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+200)
Shakir holds the lead in targets, receptions, and yards amongst Buffalo’s receiving corps with three touchdown receptions. One of which came on a 54-yard catch and run in Charlotte just last week. He’s seen at least five targets in each of his last four games, and although he didn’t find the end zone in either matchup between these two teams in 2024, he did receive a season-high 12 targets when they played in the regular season. That was part of a total 14-106-0 against Kansas City last season.
Commanders vs. Seahawks 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Deebo Samuel (WR, Commanders) is our pick for the first TD scorer bet (+1100)
Samuel struggled in his return from a foot injury, catching three of six targets for just 11 yards in Kansas City on Monday. It was his slowest performance since Week 3, but with five more days of healing under his belt, it’s not expected to be a lingering issue. Jayden Daniels is pushing to return on Sunday night, which could mean a return to Samuel’s numbers from Weeks 1-4 (22-204-2 in that time).
A.J. Barner (TE, Seahawks) is our pick for the anytime TD scorer bet (+200)
Barner posted his lowest numbers since Week 1 against the Texans last week, but the three games prior saw the second-year tight end catch all 13 of his targets for 156 yards and three touchdowns. He’s set up for a bounce-back week against a Commanders defense that ranks 28th in efficiency against tight ends (9.0 yards per target).
Cowboys vs. Cardinals 1st TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Coming Soon!
Cowboys vs. Cardinals Anytime TD Scorer Bet Prediction:
Coming Soon!
