NFL Week 14 First Touchdown Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions (2022)
Someone must score the first TD of the game, and this article will help you increase your odds of hitting on that player based on matchups and team strengths. It will feature a selection for each game of the Sunday slate.
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New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
James Cook
Odds: +1000 via BetMGM
The Bills use a running back by committee and the snap count last week proves that. Devin Singletary played 44%, James Cook played 43%, and Nyheim Hines played 31% of the snaps. Cook paced the backs, however, with 14 carries and six targets, which he turned into six catches for 41 yards and ran for 64 yards on the ground. Cook is beginning to show his playmaking skills and is the primary receiving option among their three running backs. He also just had his career-best game and is trending in the right direction. Josh Allen ran for two TDs in their first matchup, so Cook is a good bet to score via the ground.
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Ja'Marr Chase
Odds: +600 via BetMGM
The first time these teams met, the Browns won easily, but the Bengals were without Chase due to injury. The Bengals did not move the ball well and did not score their first points until the fourth quarter, when the game was out of reach. Tee Higgins popped up on the injury report with a hamstring injury after practicing in full on Wednesday, and Chase would gain more targets if Higgins does not play. Chase returned to action last week and caught seven passes for 97 yards, which both were team highs. If Higgins is out, Chase's odds should get better, so grab this number as early as possible.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
Jalen Hurts
Odds: +550 via BetMGM
The Giants allow teams to rush for 141.1 yards per game, which is a problem against the Eagles. Hurts is averaging 50.8 rushing yards per game and has scored nine times via the ground this season, which is the same amount as Miles Sanders. Either guy could realistically find the end zone this week, but Hurts may have the better opportunity. The Giants allow a TD in the red zone 48.9% of the time, which is fifth-best in the league. Hurts has scripted run plays and improvises when passing, which could be the difference in scoring on the Giants’ defense in the red zone.
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pat Freiermuth
Odds: +800 via Caesars Sportsbook
The Ravens are the second-worst team against tight ends this season, allowing them to score nine TDs this season. Freiermuth is averaging 6.9 targets per game and has become a favorite target of Kenny Pickett. Lamar Jackson is questionable this week after injuring his knee, and has yet to see the practice field. Tyler Huntley relieved him and scored the game-winning TD with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter. That was the only TD scored in their game against Denver last weekend, and it may be a few quarters before someone scores a TD this week. Freiermuth is a safe option. Check his odds here because there could be a better number leading up to the game.
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson
Odds: +1300 via FanDuel Sportsbook
T.J. Hockenson played for the Lions in their first meeting, but now he will go against his former team, so there should be some familiarity. The Lions allow 252.5 passing yards per game, and tight ends average 12.8 yards per catch against them. Hockenson is averaging eight targets per game since joining the Vikings, and eight came in the red zone. At this price, he is a value play with a slight edge due to his familiarity with the Lions' defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans
Robert Woods
Odds: +1100 via BetMGM
Robert Woods is leading the Titans in targets this season by a large margin. He accounts for 20.3% of the team's targets and has 24 more than the second most. The Jaguars allow teams to pass for 255.5 yards per game, which is the thirtieth in the league. The Titans do not have the best passing offense in the league, but they should be able to move the ball via the air. Woods offers solid value in a game where the running backs will get all the bets to score first.
Houston Texans @ Dallas Cowboys
Tony Pollard
Odds: +550 via FanDuel Sportsbook
The Texans are still the worst team against the run after allowing 174 rushing yards to the Browns last week. Teams are averaging 169.1 rushing yards per game against them, and the Cowboys are averaging 145.9 rushing yards as a team this season. They have averaged 180 rushing yards per game in their last three games, and the 17-point spread is symbolic of that. Last week, Pollard received 12 carries and three targets, while Ezekiel Elliott received 17 carries and three targets. Pollard offers more value, so he is the play.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
Isiah Pacheco
Odds: +650 via DraftKings Sportsbook
The Chiefs have a tough matchup with the Broncos’ defense this week, but the Broncos' offense is nonexistent. It is incredibly tough to take a Broncos player to score anytime, let alone to score first. Kansas City is the obvious side in this game, and Pacheco offers good value. He is becoming the go-to guy in the backfield after carrying the ball 14 times last week and 22 times in the week prior. He is getting most of the carries and has a solid chance to score against this stout defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy
Odds: +1300 via Caesars Sportsbook
Brock Purdy is starting in place of the injured Jimmy Garoppolo this week and has a chance to show everyone his capabilities. He ran a 4.84-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 combine and can move well outside the pocket. In this game, both sides have plenty of options and playmakers, so the best option is to find a player with good value. Purdy offers that the game script could help him. The Buccaneers have the fourth most sacks this season, and Purdy could have to improvise in this game. Many sportsbooks have not released lines for this market, so check here for the best number.
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
D'Onta Foreman
Odds: Not Listed Yet
The odds in this prop market are not available at the time of writing, so be sure to check out the odds here. It may be because Kenneth Walker is questionable with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play. DK Metcalf is also questionable with a hip injury, so important players' statuses are up in the air. Geno Smith was also limited in practice on Thursday. The Panthers have a good matchup coming out of their bye week, as the Seahawks allow 155.3 rushing yards per game and rank twenty-eighth in points allowed per game. Foreman was limited in practice on Thursday, but that does not rule him out for Sunday because he is a veteran back who has dealt with injuries throughout his career. The fact that he was limited is a good sign. If he does not play, Chubba Hubbard is the best option to play, but always check the odds first.
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