Look, who am I to question the NFL schedule-maker? But three straight island games for the Atlanta Falcons? I have to know what that meeting was like. Fortunately, after a very poor start to the season, Atlanta has turned things around in primetime, winning both its contests since the return of Michael Penix Jr. (+5500).
Baltimore can not claim to have the same luck with the health of its starting QB. Lamar Jackson (ankle) will miss this Sunday Night Football tilt in Week 5, which in turn, will open the door for Snoop Huntley (+2500) — the somehow one-time Pro Bowler — to make his 17th career start in front of millions on NBC.
But the real question is this: Who is scoring the first touchdown? Let’s break down the odds on the DraftKings Sportsbook and make a couple picks for Ravens versus Falcons.
Ravens vs. Falcons First Touchdown Scorer Odds
Ravens vs. Falcons First Touchdown Scorer Picks
Drake London First TD Scorer (+800)
I know. It’s difficult to pick against Bijan Robinson (+290). Yet at his odds, there’s simply no value on the board. That’s why I prefer the pivot to Drake London at +800. The Falcons didn’t really need to throw the ball against the Saints on Monday, but London was still the focal point of the aerial attack with Penix back under center, finishing with five receptions for 95 yards and a 30.0% target share. In fact, London’s six targets were double the volume of any other Atlanta skill position player in the lopsided 45-24 victory. This should come as no surprise to anyone that’s been paying attention. Penix is obsessed with London. I mean it. The QB has 14 career touchdown passes and eight have been caught by London. That’s a red zone connection I can get behind.
Snoop Huntley First TD Scorer (+2500)
I’m not trying to re-invent the wheel here. If you’re telling me that I can get a mobile quarterback at a depressed number for first touchdown scorer, I’m going to at least put down a sprinkle. Tyler Huntley ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any pivot at the 2020 NFL Combine (4.56). He’s 28-years-old now, but there aren’t a lot of tread worn off those wheels. Huntley also has five career rushing touchdowns in a limited sample, so it’s not like this isn’t without precedent. With all that said, I have to point out the elephant in the room: Derrick Henry (+425). Not only does Henry currently lead the league in rushing touchdowns (7), but he does so with an AFC-high 80.8% share of Baltimore’s red zone carries. Huntley has some competition near the goal line, but at +2500, I’ll take my chances on an outlier result.
