NFL First Touchdown Props Week 8: Dobbins Strikes First for L.A.

First TD prop bet #1: J.K. Dobbins

Best odds: +425 at DraftKings

One man primed for a big Sunday is J.K. Dobbins, and there’s a reason why he’s favored to open the scoring when the Chargers face the Panthers. Dobbins may have only scored three touchdowns this season, but this is a real chance to add multiple to that record. The Panthers are diabolically bad against the run.

They’re giving up 162.1 rushing yards per game, the most yards in the NFL. They’ve also given up an incredible 14 touchdowns to running backs in just seven games so far. We know Jim Harbaugh views the run as key to his team’s identity, and Dobbins should get plenty of opportunities early to run it in for a score. 

First TD prop bet #2: Anthony Richardson

Best odds: +1,100 at FanDuel

The Colts face the Texans in a replay of their opening weekend matchup. That game also happens to be the last time Anthony Richardson had a rushing touchdown. The sophomore quarterback has been dealing with injuries but was back last week and instantly got involved in the ground game.

He had 14 carries against Miami, six more than he has had in any other game this season. What’s more interesting is he had nine designed runs, again a season-high. 

The return of Jonathan Taylor should also help Richardson, with defenses worried about the potential risk of their great RB. The Colts' QB has a big price to score first here, and +1,100 is a price worth taking.

First TD prop bet #3: David Njoku

Best odds: +1,800 at FanDuel

Speaking of big odds, we have a huge +1,800 available on David Njoku to score first. Yes, he is a Brown, and they’ve struggled hugely this season, but there are reasons why this is a value opportunity.

We wondered who’d get Amari Cooper’s targets with him having been traded and it looks like Njoku is the man. He had 14 targets — compared to just 15 combined in the three other games he’d played — hauling in 10 of those for 76 yards and a touchdown. 

The most pleasing part is that it continued when Sunday’s starter, Jameis Winston, entered the game. The touchdown pass came from one of Winston’s 11 passes, of which three were directed to Njoku.

The Ravens are favorites to score first, but considering how good their defense is against the run (first) and how bad they are against the pass (dead last), you can see Njoku does offer value at +1,800 to open the scoring.