While it might not seem like it, we’re getting closer and closer to the NFL Playoffs, and games are starting to mean that much more each week. Take tonight’s Sunday Night Football game as a perfect example. Though it might seem like your usual Week 10 matchup, this tilt between the Steelers and the Chargers could have massive implications on the AFC Wild Card picture down the road.
Am I getting too far ahead of myself? I do that sometimes. Allow me to course correct to the immediate future. Let’s break down some first touchdown scorer odds on the DraftKings Sportsbook for this evening’s clash between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.
Steelers vs. Chargers First Touchdown Scorer Prop Bets
Oronde Gadsden II First Touchdown Scorer (+900)
The rise of Oronde Gadsden has been well documented at this point, yet it’s still worth noting just how involved the TE has been since Week 6. In that span of time, Gadsden is TE1 in PPR fantasy formats, leading all at his position in receptions (24) and receiving yards (377). As you would expect, it’s not like the big-bodied rookie is only valuable between the 20s, either. Seven of Gadsden’s nine career red zone targets have come in his past four contests, and the 22-year-old has translated that high-leverage volume into a pair of touchdowns. No team has scored a higher percentage of their touchdowns through the air this season than the Chargers (81.8%), and right now, Gadsden is their No. 1 target near the goal line. Seems like a pretty great situation for Gadsden — and for prospective bettors.
Darnell Washington First Touchdown Scorer (+1900)
No one loves a tight end like Steelers’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith — unless that tight end is Kyle Pitts. Pittsburgh has three talented TEs that they use often in Jonnu Smith (+1600), Pat Freiermuth (+1800) and Darnell Washington, with every member of the trio having logged at least 225 snaps through nine weeks. Let us also not forget the Steelers’ recent loss to the Bengals, where all three tight ends caught a touchdown. Still, I’ll single-out Washington in this spot for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the former third-round pick has the longest odds of the three. Secondly, Washington has been the most-targeted in the red zone in recent weeks, with the Georgia product collecting at least three targets inside the 20-yard line twice since the beginning of Week 7. How could you blame Aaron Rodgers (+6000) for looking his way when things gets compressed on the field? Nicknamed “Mount Washington” for a reason, Washington is 6’7 with a 7’4 wingspan. The dude was made in a lab to catch end zone fades.
