Every season, there’s a division in each conference that is wholeheartedly underwhelming in every sense of the word. In 2025, those divisions are the AFC North and NFC South. Still, at least one team from both will be represented in the playoffs, which is a rule that makes a game like tonight’s tilt between the Falcons and the Buccaneers legitimately important — against all odds. Despite losing four of its last five contests, Tampa Bay is somehow still tied for the division lead. That said, with two matchups remaining with the Panthers, this Thursday Night Football game is far from a “must-win” situtation.
So… We’re back to square one. How can we make this primetime affair interesting? How about a couple bets on the DraftKings Sportsbook? In this article, we’ll focus specifically on the first touchdown scorer props, as there’s nothing quite like a first quarter sweat.
Let’s dive in and make some picks.
Falcons at Buccaneers First Touchdown Scorer Prop Bets
Kyle Pitts First Touchdown Scorer (+1500)
Obviously, Bijan Robinson (+450) would be the “smart” Falcons’ asset to back as a first touchdown scorer; however, the Texas product has failed to find the end zone in over half of his games this season, seeing his rushing touchdown tally fall from 14 in 2024 to only five so far in 2025. Atlanta also hasn’t managed a first quarter trip to the end zone since Kirk Cousins (+8000) took over as the starting QB back in Week 12, so you might as well steer clear of the chalk. In that same three-game span, with Drake London (knee) sidelined, Kyle Pitts has emerged as Cousins’ clear favorite in the passing attack. In fact, Pitts’ 22 targets since the beginning of Week 12 are nearly twice as many as any other player on the roster. Pitts also has 197 receiving yards in his last three starts — 92 more than the next-closest Falcons’ skill-position player. In short, you don’t often get a far and away No. 1 option at 15/1 in the first touchdown scorer market, let alone one who is 6’6 and designed in a lab to be a red zone weapon. Take advantage.
Sean Tucker First Touchdown Scorer (+2500)
I like taking a long shot with the Buccaneers’ crowded backfield. Bucky Irving (+650) has looked good since returning from a two-month absence, yet Tampa has been more than content to continue with a running back committee approach, limiting the former fourth-round pick to a roughly 50% snap share in Week 13 and Week 14. I doubt that philosophy suddenly changes on a short week. In Sunday’s loss to the Saints, Irving and Rachaad White (+1700) each saw exactly 36 offensive snaps, while Sean Tucker was only on the field for 12. That said, Tucker was the only one of the three to see a goal line carry — a rushing attempt he translated into a one-yard touchdown. Tucker leads the Buccaneers in rushing TDs through 13 games (5) and it’s quite possible his role with Irving back in the mix will be as a short yardage specialist. In a matchup with a Falcons defense that ranks 26th in the NFL in EPA per opponent rush (0.03), I’ll take my chances with Tucker, especially with odds this long and alluring.
