The NFL Divisional Round has arrived! It begins with C.J. Stroud and the Texans heading into Arrowhead Stadium to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Kansas City is favored by 8.5 points at home and the game total is set at O/U 41.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Chiefs are looking to become the first-ever team to win three straight Super Bowls. For the sake of all other NFL fans, please win this game, Houston.
If you’re here, that means you’re interested in first touchdown scorer prop bets. The game total is low, so touchdowns will likely be at a minimum, especially when considering Kansas City’s style of winning games this season.
Here are the top six options on DraftKings Sportsbook to score the first touchdown:
- Travis Kelce (+750)
- Isiah Pacheco (+750)
- Kareem Hunt (+800)
- Joe Mixon (+850)
- Xavier Worthy (+950)
- Nico Collins (+1100)
As you can tell, the list is quite Chief-heavy. Please read below for my favorite first touchdown scorer prop bet for Texans vs. Chiefs.
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Worthy First TD Scorer (+950)
I must admit––Nico Collins (+1100) is very enticing but you’re probably better off betting on his anytime TD prop. This game is at Arrowhead Stadium and it’s the playoffs, so I’m expecting a good start from the Chiefs. That brings me to Xavier Worthy, who has become a focal point of the offense over the last few weeks of the regular season. He garnered at least nine targets in each of the final three games of the season before resting in Week 18. Worthy also received eight rushing attempts in that span.
It’s the playoffs. Random players score touchdowns in the playoffs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Andy Reid dials up a touchdown play for third-string tight end, Peyton Hendershot. However, Worthy offers the most upside. The Texans ranked second in interceptions coming into the postseason and just picked off Justin Herbert four times in the Wild Card Round. Patrick Mahomes is otherworldly come playoff time and likely won’t be forcing many interceptable balls for Houston to take advantage of.
One area that both Mahomes and Worthy can take advantage of, though, is Houston’s susceptibility to big plays. The Texans ranked eighth in yards per reception and second in 40+ yard receptions allowed. Kansas City often uses Worthy in the red zone, too. He ranks second behind Travis Kelce in red zone targets but has more total touches thanks to his rushing ability. Five of Worthy’s nine touchdowns this season have come from within the red zone.
