For those looking for a little action on Thanksgiving but nervous about picking winners and losers because of how weird Thursday games can get, player props are a good alternative.
And perhaps no prop provides more gratification than the anytime touchdown scorer. All it takes is one busted coverage, and you could be celebrating right along with the team that just scored.
I admittedly haven’t picked from this market much this season, but with five of the six teams playing Thursday having winning records and four ranking in the top half of the NFL in scoring, how hard could it be?
These are my top five anytime touchdown scorer picks.
(Odds from BetMGM)
5
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at Detroit Lions)
No team has allowed more rushing yards or rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season than the Detroit Lions. And Josh Allen might be their toughest challenge yet. He hasn’t rushed for a score in three weeks, but that could change against a Detroit team that allowed touchdowns to Daniel Jones and Justin Fields in the last two weeks and even gave up 40 yards to Aaron Rodgers three weeks ago.
4
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)
One week after giving up three touchdowns to Detroit’s Jamaal Williams, the Giants have to go against Dallas’ incredible two-headed rushing attack. And while Tony Pollard is probably another good bet to score, Ezekiel Elliott is a true Giant killer. He’s scored in five straight games against New York since 2020, including the teams’ first meeting this year.
3
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. New England Patriots)
Surprise, surprise. Instead of the obvious Minnesota Vikings pick, Justin Jefferson, I’m rolling with tight end T.J. Hockenson. Vikings receivers and Thanksgiving football are almost synonymous thanks to the past exploits of one Randy Moss, but the Patriots have allowed a league-low four touchdowns to receivers this year versus seven to tight ends, which is tied for second most.
2
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (at Dallas Cowboys)
No team playing Thursday is dependent on a single player quite like the Giants are on Saquon Barkley. His placement at No. 2 is less about the Cowboys rush defense being weak — which it has been — and more about Barkley needing a big game for the Giants to have a chance. He also scored the first time these teams played.
1
Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (at Detroit Lions)
The long odds say it all here. There’s a good chance Josh Allen scores a touchdown of his own, but there’s an even better chance of him throwing one (or more) against the Lions. More often than not, those touchdowns go to Diggs, who leads Buffalo with eight receiving touchdowns this season.
