If there are genuine concern regarding just how awful the Raiders are on offense, find comfort in the fact that nothing can be as putrid as Chicago’s performance on Sunday Night Football, right? Las Vegas might actually give the Bears a run for their money in worst primetime performance of the week, as Jimmy Garoppolo and Josh McDaniels are facing a buzzsaw. In fact, it’s a motivated buzzsaw that’s coming off a season-worst performance and result against the Ravens. Still, with the Lions being a convincing favorite, there’s still a great spot to attack on the other side for a first touchdown prop. Here are the best options for first touchdown bets from both sides of Raiders-Lions.
Raiders-Lions MNF First Touchdown Prop Bet | October 30
Las Vegas Raiders First Touchdown Scorer
Garoppolo is back at the helm for the Raiders, and it doesn’t matter one bit — at least when it comes to the end result and how pitiful the offense will look against Detroit. That doesn’t mean he can’t lead a scoring drive, especially the first one. They say a quarterback’s best friend is his tight end, but look no further than Jakobi Meyers here to be the first player to cross the goal line. The Lions will certainly be aware of the volume associated with Garoppolo to Meyers connection, but the Raiders are stubborn enough to keep trying. That is great news for anyone taking the 16-1 longshot on Meyers to score first.
In the four games the tandem have played, Meyers has seen double-digit targets in three and hitting five-plus grabs in each of them. He’s a magnet for the football from his quarterback, and there’s little reason to think that in the red zone, goal to go or even deep throws that the Raiders won’t test Detroit with their best weapon. At least their most comfortable one alongside a quarterback returning from injury.
Raiders-Lions First Touchdown Scorer Bet: Jakobi Meyers +1600 (BetMGM, 0.25 Units)
Detroit Lions First Touchdown Scorer
The Lions were humiliated by the Ravens after one of their stronger starts in recent memory. The team is either what they put out on the field against Baltimore, or much closer to what they were before that embarrassment. This is a prototypical “get right” game for any NFL team with multiple circumstances working in its favor. Detroit’s defense is much better than whatever effort that was against Baltimore, and the Raiders don’t have Lamar Jackson. Even if they did, their coach would find a way to screw it up. Detroit also faces a more favorable opponent when matching up on offense, so expect them to get Jared Goff working that arm out right away.
While Jahmyr Gibbs is probably not going to hit his rushing totals — mainly because Detroit doesn’t need to pound a lighter back between the tackles — but should cruise in the passing game. The Lions are still without David Montgomery and will run a smaller committee, but Gibbs should be a staple in tonight’s passing game. That layers a little more value on a 5-1 chalk play for Gibbs to score first. He’s a true dual-threat right away and has an equal chance of running or receiving the first touchdown.
Raiders-Lions First Touchdown Scorer Bet: Jahmyr Gibbs +500 (BetMGM, 0.25 Units)
OddsShopper’s NFL Tools & Tips
Looking for more 2023 NFL predictions? OddsShopper’s experts are here to break down this NFL season — make sure to check out the rest of our NFL articles, including our power rankings. Still need more picks? Subscribe to OddsShopper Premium for our market-based betting model’s picks and best bets — or try it out for Week 8 Monday Night Football now!
