NFL Week 1 Odds, Picks & Predictions First Touchdown Scorer: Steelers vs. Bengals (2022)
The 2022 NFL season is finally upon us! The prop market continues to explode in popularity when betting on pro football, which is most likely a direct result of lifelong fantasy football players finally entering the betting landscape as legalization spreads.
Every week this season, I will write about my two favorite bets for Sunday’s slate in one of the most entertaining exotic prop markets: first touchdown scorer. It is an opportunity to get long odds on some of the league’s best players to score a TD, and they just have to be the first one.
Below, I will walk through my favorite first touchdown scorer bets for Week 1. These plays are a half-unit each, or 0.5% of your betting bankroll.
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(Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Najee Harris (+800)
We are getting some longer odds with this prop as the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals as six-and-a-half-point underdogs. Likely to have a little bit of that infamous “Super Bowl loss hangover†in Week 1, Cincinnati may not have the sharpest start in this game.
While the Steelers will probably have a tough year due to a highly questionable pass offense, nobody is concerned about the potential of Najee Harris and his running ability. Because of the lack of weapons offensively, Harris should once again be the workhorse of this team.
Last season, Harris led the entire league in touches (381) and was second in rush attempts. While their O-Line was not very good, Harris’ talent was still able to propel him to finish fourth in rushing yards (1,200) and yards from scrimmage (1,667).
Even if the Bengals get the ball first, Pittsburgh’s defensive line can tame their immense talent. According to PFF, the Steelers enter the season with the fourth-best defensive line, led by the best edge-rusher in football, T.J. Watt.
Best of luck!
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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.