Am I the only person who can’t watch a Cardinals and Cowboys primetime game without thinking of Jerry Maguire? Of course, Rod Tidwell famously scores the final touchdown of that fictional contest — not the first — so his impressive stat line wouldn’t matter for the purposes of this article.
Let’s break down the first touchdown scorer odds and some picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for this clash between former NFC divisional rivals.
Cardinals vs. Cowboys First Touchdown Scorer Prop Bets
Trey McBride First Touchdown Scorer (+800)
While the Cowboys haven’t been dominated by opposing tight ends so far this season, the team has unquestionably been one of the NFL’s worst overall passing defenses. To wit, Dallas comes into Monday Night Football allowing 7.7 yards per pass attempt, which is the third-highest mark in the league. The Cowboys also rank 30th in defensive EPA per pass — the lowest mark of any NFC squad. I guess what I’m trying to say is that this is a great matchup for all of the Cardinals’ high volume weapons in the aerial attack, and that certainly includes Trey McBride. The notoriously end zone averse TE has caught three touchdowns in the past two weeks with Jacoby Brissett (+2800) under center, already giving McBride a career-high four scores this season. This isn’t simply luck, either. McBride sits third among all players in red zone targets (13) and red zone target share (37.1%), trailing only Amon-Ra St. Brown and Davante Adams in both categories. When Arizona gets close to the goal line, McBride is clearly the No. 1 option.
Jake Ferguson First Touchdown Scorer (+850)
Last week’s tilt against the Broncos was quite odd for Jake Ferguson. Not only was the tight end held without a single reception, but it was a performance that came on the heels of Ferguson having caught a touchdown in four straight games. I’m anticipating a bounce back showing from Ferguson on Monday night. The 6’5, 245 pound 26-year-old is the perfect big-bodied red zone target, and he’s certainly been Dak Prescott’s go-to guy near the goal line so far in 2025. Obviously these numbers are partially skewed by CeeDee Lamb (+800) missing multiple contests due to injury, but it’s Ferguson who currently leads all Cowboys skill position players in targets inside the 20-yard line (11) and receiving touchdowns (6). In fact, he and George Pickens (+900) are tied at six scores, while no other Dallas asset even has more than one. Maybe just put a bet on Ferguson and a bet on Pickens and call it a day?
