NFL Week 3 First Touchdown Scorer Picks & Predictions (2024)
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.
I will track my plays here on BettingPros. Let’s get to the first touchdown scorer predictions for NFL Week 3!
NFL Week 3 First Touchdown Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
Chicago Bears @ Indianapolis Colts
DJ Moore is leading the Bears in targets through two games with 18 but has not turned them into much production. Caleb Williams has not started great through two games, but he has a great matchup against the Colts. The Colts have allowed eight points per game in the first quarter this season and have struggled to pressure the quarterback. Caleb Williams should have cleaner pockets this week, which means more time to deliver accurate passes to DJ Moore.
Pick: DJ Moore (+1100 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
New York Giants @ Cleveland Browns
Devin Singletary has been a workhorse for the Giants this season. He has played at least 70% of snaps in each game and averages 15.5 touches. The Giants will look to run the ball early and often against the Browns this week, who have been putting pressure on quarterbacks. The Giants will want to limit mistakes from Daniel Jones in a game with a low total (39.5). Singletary has five attempts in the red zone, which went for 19 yards and a TD. He is good value in a low-scoring game between two offenses struggling to move the ball.
Pick: Devin Singletary (+800 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Green Bay Packers @ Tennessee Titans
The Packers and Titans are one of three teams that have not allowed a first-quarter point this season. Josh Jacobs has averaged 70% of snaps per game through two games and is dealing with a back injury. He has been limited in practice this week but should play. The Packers will start Malik Willis and want to lean on the ground game. Jacobs is coming off a game with 152 yards on 32 carries. He is worth a play based on volume alone in a low total (37.5) game.
Pick: Josh Jacobs (+425 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orleans Saints
The Saints have not had to throw the ball much through two games. They have been on the right side of two blowouts, so Olave has not had to make many plays. He had four receptions on six targets for 81 yards last week and had one carry for seven yards. Chris Olave has a good matchup against the Eagles secondary, who have allowed 242 passing yards per game. He is +800 on DraftKings, which makes this a smash play in a great matchup.
Pick: Chris Olave (+1100 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
This game has the lowest total (35.5) this week because both teams want to run the football. The Chargers run the ball 59.66% of the time, and the Steelers run the ball 62.10% of the time. It could be a stalemate because the Chargers allow 80.5, and the Steelers allow 76.5 rushing yards per game. J.K. Dobbins ranks first in explosive run rate and missed tackles forced, which makes him better than Najee Harris at a similar price.
Pick: J.K. Dobbins (+600 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Houston Texans @ Minnesota Vikings
The Texans are banged up this week and may need to rely on Diggs against his former team. Nico Collins is dealing with a hip and foot injury but is expected to play after being limited on Thursday. Joe Mixon has an ankle injury and has not practiced this week. Diggs has six targets in each game this season, including three in the red zone for two TDs in week one. The Vikings allowed 230 passing yards per game and were torched by the 49ers last week. C.J. Stroud should have a good week and find Diggs, especially in the red zone.
Pick: Stefon Diggs (+1000 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Denver Broncos @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I am going to ride with the hot hand this week. Chris Godwin has received eight targets in each game and has 15 catches for 200 yards and two TDs. Patrick Surtain II will likely shadow Mike Evans, which should give Godwin room to work. Godwin is leading the team in targets and should continue to draw looks from Baker Mayfield, who is playing well this season. Godwin is +700 on FanDuel and offers solid value in a plus-matchup.
Pick: Chris Godwin (+900 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Carolina Panthers @ Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers has one less target than Davante Adams this season, which shows how valuable he is to this offense. He has immediately produced as a rookie and is getting open for Gardner Minshew II. The Raiders have dropped back to pass on 67.23% of plays this season and have a good matchup. Jaycee Horn is the only player in the secondary of the Panthers’ defense that should raise concerns for Minshew, and he will be guarding Adams. Bowers is in for a big game and should lead the team in targets. Take him at +1100 before he drops closer to game time.
Pick: Brock Bowers (+1100 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Miami Dolphins @ Seattle Seahawks
Skylar Thompson is starting for the Dolphins, which likely means they start slow. He has not shown anything to prove otherwise in his career. His completion percentage is 57.1%, with one TD and three interceptions in eight games. The Dolphins have allowed three rushing touchdowns this season, and James Cook received a receiving touchdown last week. Charbonnet played 96% of snaps last week with Kenneth Walker sidelined and received 14 carries and five targets. He may not have a great day on the ground, but he should be involved heavily in the passing game. Charbonnet is a solid play in a game against a team with quarterback troubles.
Pick: Zach Charbonnet (+500 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals
Trey McBride has nine and six targets in his first two games and paces the team in targets. The Cardinals have not allowed a point and have scored three times in the first quarter this season. They do not take much time to get going and are probably the right side to play. McBride will benefit from the Lions’ defense keying on Marvin Harrison Jr., who had made a couple of big plays last week. McBride is in a good position to score first this week and offers great value.
Pick: Trey McBride (+1400 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have struggled defending the run this season, and the 49ers’ offensive line is one of the best in the league. They have allowed the third most rushing yards per game (197), and Jordan Mason has run for 100 yards in both games. The Rams’ weapons on offense are injured, and they may start slow against the 49ers’ defense, who will likely bounce back after a tough loss to the Vikings. Mason has short odds, but it is because he has a great matchup and is a good play.
Pick: Jordan Mason (+380 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Baltimore Ravens @ Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has allowed the most rushing touchdowns per game through two games and struggled to gain an edge up front. Derrick Henry had a good game against the Raiders, running for 84 yards on 18 carries and a TD. The Cowboys have allowed 8.5 points per game in the first quarter. Derrick Henry did not get going until the second half last week, and the Ravens should try to get him going earlier this week in a tough matchup. The 0-2 Ravens need to start strong to win this game, which begins with Derrick Henry.
Pick: Derrick Henry (+550 via FanDuel Sportsbook)