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It’s time for another primetime game on the NFL schedule, which means it’s time for another three-pack of first touchdown scorer picks. This time, we’ve got a heated AFC North battle between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The last time Cincinnati played on primetime, we cashed in on Joe Mixon at +500 to score the first touchdown. I’m not running it back with Mixon this time around, but I do have a few picks I like for this Sunday Night Football clash. Here are the three first TD bets you should target for Ravens-Bengals.

Lamar Jackson +950

Lamar Jackson celebrates a touchdown.
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills | Patrick Smith/Getty Images

I’m surprised Jackson isn’t the betting favorite in the first touchdown scorer market. There are three names ahead of him on the odds board, so I’ll take the value on the speedy quarterback at +950.

Jackson has run the ball more than some starting running backs this season. Through four games, the QB has rushed 37 times for 316 yards and two touchdowns. He’s taken off to run 11 times in each of the last two games, and I think he continues to use his legs at a similar pace this week.

Let’s hope he can punch one in early.

Tee Higgins +1000

Ja’Marr Chase is undoubtedly the best wide receiver on Cincinnati’s roster, but he hasn’t been Joe Burrow’s favorite target of late. That’s been Tee Higgins. Over the last two weeks, Higgins has more targets (16), catches (12), and receiving yards (217) than Chase. Both WRs also have the same amount of touchdown catches (two) through four games.

Despite the similar stats, Higgins (+1000) is priced higher than Chase (+750) to score the first touchdown on Sunday night. This market is all about value, so you know I’m taking the juicier price on a wideout I think is just as likely as Chase to find the end zone first.

Isaiah Likely +3100

OK, so we went with two stars to begin our first touchdown scorer card. Now it’s time to add a longshot.

Isaiah Likely hasn’t lit up the stat sheet just yet, but his breakout game is coming. The rookie tight end went off for 12 catches, 144 yards, and a touchdown in his first preseason as a pro. The Ravens love his ability to run after the catch and get open in the red zone, so I think they’ll start using him more alongside Mark Andrews on the field.

Likely would already be a fantasy football star if he was on any team in the NFL not named the Ravens or the Kansas City Chiefs. His first career touchdown is coming soon, so let’s hope it comes Sunday night.

All betting odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 10/9.

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Jack Dougherty

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

When Jack isn’t writing about sports, he’s watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He’s also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.