NFL First Touchdown Scorer Stats 2026
Use our NFL First Touchdown Scorer stats to see which players are scoring first most often, compare recent touchdown form and research potential First TD bets before checking the latest NFL odds.
Jump to: First TD stats | What the data says | How to read the table | First TD betting | First TD vs Anytime TD | How to pick a scorer | Where to bet | More NFL stats | FAQs
NFL First Touchdown Scorer Stats
The table below is the main part of this page. Search by player and sort the columns to compare First TD results, scoring frequency, recent form and touchdowns per game.
What the Data Says Right Now
Preseason update: the 2026 regular season has not started yet, so there are no current-season First Touchdown Scorer leaders. Once games begin, the table above will show which players are actually recording the opening touchdown most often.
- First TD starts from zero: the first 2026 leaders will emerge as Week 1 games are played.
- Early numbers need context: one First TD in the opening week can temporarily put a player near the top of the standings without establishing a meaningful trend.
- LAST 2 becomes more useful after Week 2: before then there is not enough current-season data for a genuine two-game comparison.
- AVG TD/G will move quickly early on: one multi-touchdown performance can have a big effect on the average during the first few weeks.
How to Read the First Touchdown Scorer Table
The table contains more than just First TD results because the extra touchdown data can help put those results into context. The 1st TD column remains the most directly relevant number for this page.
| Column | What it means | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| PLAYER | The NFL player being tracked. | Search directly for a player you are considering for a First TD bet. |
| TEAM | The player’s current NFL team. | Useful when comparing several possible scorers from the same offense. |
| POS | The player’s position. | Helps separate running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and quarterbacks when comparing scoring roles. |
| 1st TD | The number of First Touchdown Scorer results recorded by the player. | This is the key column for identifying players who have scored the opening touchdown most often. |
| ANY TD | The player’s wider touchdown-scoring results. | Provides context on whether a strong First TD number sits alongside regular scoring involvement. |
| LAST 2 | The player’s touchdown production across his two most recent games. | Provides a quick recent-form check, although two games is still a very small sample. |
| AVG TD/G | The player’s average touchdowns per game. | Helps compare overall scoring rates between players who may have played different numbers of games. |
A high First TD total is useful information, but it is not a prediction. The next step is working out whether the player’s current role, matchup and available odds support the same conclusion.
First Touchdown Scorer Betting Explained
A First Touchdown Scorer bet asks one simple question: who will score the first touchdown of the game?
The market is harder to hit than an Anytime TD wager because your player does not simply need to score. He needs to score before every other potential touchdown scorer in the game.
That is also why First TD odds can be considerably longer.
What Types of First TD Bets Can You Make?
The exact markets depend on the sportsbook, but the most common options include:
- First Touchdown Scorer: pick the player who will score the first touchdown of the entire game.
- Team First Touchdown Scorer: some sportsbooks let you predict which player will score a particular team’s first touchdown, regardless of whether the opponent has already scored.
- First TD in a Same-Game Parlay: some books allow a First TD selection to be combined with other game or player markets, although adding more conditions also makes the bet harder to win.
- No Touchdown / Other selections: depending on the sportsbook, the market can include options covering games without a touchdown or scores by players or units not individually listed.
If the stats table is the starting point for your research, a normal single First Touchdown Scorer bet is the cleanest market to compare. The 1st TD column above maps directly to what you are trying to predict without adding unrelated parlay conditions.
Go back to the First TD stats table to compare players before checking the available prices.
Typical First Touchdown Scorer Odds
First TD prices vary significantly by matchup, role and sportsbook. The ranges below are only a rough guide to how the market can look rather than current odds for any particular game.
| Player type | Rough First TD range | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Goal-line starting RB | Often around +300 to +600 | Regular carries near the goal line can make the lead running back one of the shortest-priced options. |
| WR1 | Often around +500 to +900 | High target share and red-zone use can keep the team’s top receiver among the main candidates. |
| Starting TE | Often around +700 to +1400 | Tight ends can receive valuable red-zone targets but normally see less overall volume than a lead RB or WR1. |
| WR2 / secondary receiving option | Often around +900 to +1800 | Lower expected usage generally produces a longer price. |
| Backup RB / lower-volume scorer | Often +1200 to +2500 or longer | The player normally needs a less predictable touch or a change in usage to score first. |
A price being longer does not automatically mean it is better value. A +1800 player is being offered at a much bigger number because the sportsbook considers that outcome less likely than a +400 favorite.
Turn First TD Odds Into Implied Probability
Implied probability gives you a simple way to compare the sportsbook price with the hit rates and scoring information in the table above.
For positive American odds:
Implied probability = 100 ÷ (odds + 100)
For example:
- +300 = 25% implied probability.
- +500 = 16.7% implied probability.
- +800 = 11.1% implied probability.
- +1200 = 7.7% implied probability.
- +2000 = 4.8% implied probability.
This does not mean a +500 player has a true 16.7% chance of scoring first. Sportsbook margin is built into the market. It simply converts the price into a percentage you can compare with your own view of the player’s chance.
What Actually Counts as the First Touchdown?
The first touchdown decides the standard First TD Scorer market. The first points of the game do not necessarily settle it.
Field goals
A field goal does not count as a touchdown. If the game starts 3-0, the First TD market normally remains open.
Safeties
A safety scores two points but is not a touchdown, so it does not normally settle the First TD Scorer market either.
Defensive touchdowns
An interception or fumble returned to the end zone is a touchdown and can therefore be the first TD of the game. Sportsbooks can handle the available player, defense or “other” selections differently, so check the specific market rules.
Kickoff and punt return touchdowns
A return touchdown can also be the game’s first touchdown. Whether the returner is individually available in the market depends on the sportsbook.
Quarterback passing touchdowns
A quarterback does not score a touchdown simply by throwing the pass. If the QB throws a touchdown to a receiver, the receiver is the touchdown scorer. A quarterback can win a scorer bet by rushing for a touchdown or otherwise carrying the ball into the end zone himself.
Inactive or scratched players
Settlement varies by sportsbook. A bet on a player who never participates is commonly voided, while a player who takes part in the game will normally count as action even if he later leaves injured.
Check final inactive lists and the sportsbook’s player-prop rules before betting somebody carrying an injury designation.
What if nobody scores a touchdown?
Very occasionally, a game can finish without a touchdown. Settlement then depends on the sportsbook’s house rules and whether a No Touchdown Scorer option was included in the market.
First TD Scorer vs Anytime TD Scorer
The table includes wider touchdown data because it can help evaluate First TD candidates, but this page is focused on First Touchdown Scorer stats. We cover the Anytime TD market separately in our Anytime Touchdown Scorer guide.
| Market | What has to happen? | Typical pricing |
|---|---|---|
| First TD Scorer | Your player must score the first touchdown of the entire game. | Longer odds because only the opening touchdown counts. |
| Anytime TD Scorer | Your player can score a touchdown at any point in the game. | Usually shorter odds because the whole game counts. |
If a player scores after two other touchdowns have already been recorded, an Anytime TD bet can still win. A First TD bet on the same player has already lost.
For that reason, the 1st TD column should carry more weight on this page than the broader ANY TD number.
How to Use the Stats to Pick a First TD Scorer
The player with the most First TDs is not automatically the best bet this week. Use the table to build a shortlist, then look for the football reasons that could make the result repeat.
1. Start With the 1st TD Column
This is the most directly relevant stat on the page. It shows which players have already produced the result you are trying to predict.
Repeated First TD results can point toward a player who is heavily involved when his offense reaches scoring territory early in games.
However, the sample matters. Two early-season First TDs do not establish the same pattern as repeated results across a much larger number of games.
2. Look at Goal-Line and Red-Zone Usage
A lead running back receiving repeated carries inside the five-yard line has a very different scoring profile from a receiver relying mainly on occasional deep passes.
For First TD betting, high-value touches close to the end zone matter more than raw yardage totals.
3. Check How the Opponent Concedes Touchdowns
Do not only look at who scores for the offense. Look at how the opposing defense gives up touchdowns.
A running back becomes more interesting if the opponent has repeatedly allowed rushing scores close to the goal line. A wide receiver or tight end may stand out more against a defense that has struggled with red-zone receiving touchdowns.
You can add more context with our NFL rushing touchdown stats.
4. Look at How the Team Starts Games
First TD betting is unusually sensitive to the opening game script.
Some offenses regularly establish the run on their opening drives. Others script several early throws for their top receiver or tight end.
BestOdds tracks early-game performance separately through our NFL First Drive Stats and NFL First Quarter Stats.
5. Check the Expected Game Script
A favorite expected to control possession may create a different set of early touchdown opportunities from an underdog expected to play from behind.
The game total can also provide useful context. A matchup expected to produce more points generally offers more scoring opportunities, although it does not tell you which player will score first.
6. Check Injuries and Role Changes
Season-long statistics can become stale very quickly when a player’s role changes.
An injured starting running back can create extra goal-line work for the backup. An absent receiver can shift red-zone targets toward another WR or tight end. Offensive-line injuries can also change how a team approaches short-yardage situations.
7. Compare the Price
The final step is deciding whether the odds are good enough.
A player can be the most likely First TD scorer in your analysis and still be unattractive if the sportsbook has shortened the price too far.
This is where converting the odds into implied probability becomes useful. Compare the percentage represented by the price with what the stats, player role and matchup suggest to you.
Return to the current First Touchdown Scorer standings before comparing prices.
Best Sportsbooks for First Touchdown Scorer Betting
Once you have narrowed the table down to a few First TD candidates, compare the same player across several sportsbooks. The difference between two prices can be significant, especially once you move beyond the shortest-priced running backs and receivers.
There is no sportsbook that permanently has the best First TD odds. The best option can change from one player and game to the next.
| Sportsbook | Why check it for First TD? | Best for | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Usually carries a broad NFL player-prop menu, which can make it useful when comparing obvious First TD candidates with secondary running backs, receivers and tight ends. | Market depth | DraftKings review |
| FanDuel | First TD markets are generally easy to find alongside the rest of the NFL player props, making it straightforward to compare the scorer market with the wider matchup. | Simple navigation | FanDuel review |
| BetMGM | Worth checking when comparing a First TD candidate with team totals, player props and other markets from the same NFL game. | Matchup comparison | BetMGM review |
| Caesars | A useful additional price check because a First TD scorer can sometimes be offered at a noticeably different number from the biggest market leaders. | Line shopping | Caesars review |
| bet365 | Useful when you want to compare First TD with a deeper set of NFL player markets rather than looking at the scorer market in isolation. | Broader prop menu | bet365 review |
| BetRivers | A straightforward extra sportsbook to check once the stats have already given you a player shortlist. | Extra price comparison | BetRivers review |
| Hard Rock Bet | Provides another independent price point in states where it operates, which can matter on longer-priced First TD selections. | Additional line shopping | Hard Rock Bet review |
Why First TD Line Shopping Matters
Longer odds magnify the effect of even a relatively small pricing difference.
If the same player is +600 at one sportsbook and +900 at another, the football outcome required to win is identical. Only the potential return has changed.
The difference can become even larger on secondary receivers, tight ends and backup running backs, where sportsbooks may disagree more about the player’s chance of scoring first.
What to Compare Before Placing a First TD Bet
- The same player at several sportsbooks: make sure you are comparing the exact same First Touchdown Scorer market.
- Market depth: some sportsbooks list more secondary WRs, TEs and backup RBs than others.
- Player status: check final injuries and inactive lists.
- Settlement rules: particularly for inactive players, return touchdowns and games where no touchdown is scored.
- The implied probability: compare the percentage behind the price with the player’s First TD history and current role.
The process should run in that order: use the First TD stats to find candidates, research the matchup, then compare the price. A large number on its own is not a reason to bet a player.
You can compare the wider weekly market through our NFL odds section.
More NFL Stats for First TD Research
The First TD standings are the starting point, but these BestOdds pages can help add matchup and early-game context:
- NFL First Drive Stats – see how teams perform on their opening possessions.
- NFL First Quarter Stats – useful for understanding early-game scoring patterns.
- First Team to Score Stats – compare which teams score first most often.
- Rushing Touchdown Stats – useful when researching goal-line running backs and rushing quarterbacks.
- NFL Running Back Stats – add workload and production context for RB candidates.
- NFL Wide Receiver Stats – compare the receivers most involved in their offenses.
- NFL Player Props – compare First TD research with the wider player-prop market.
- Anytime TD Scorer Stats – use the separate page if your bet does not require the player to score first.
NFL First Touchdown Scorer FAQs
What is a First Touchdown Scorer bet?
A First Touchdown Scorer bet asks you to predict which player will score the first touchdown of an NFL game. The player must score before every other touchdown scorer in the game.
What is the difference between First TD and Anytime TD?
A First TD bet requires your player to score the game’s opening touchdown. An Anytime TD bet can win if the player scores at any point. Because First TD is harder to predict, the odds are normally longer.
What does 1st TD mean in the BestOdds table?
The 1st TD column tracks the player’s First Touchdown Scorer results. It is the most directly relevant column when researching this market.
Why does the First TD table also show ANY TD?
The ANY TD data gives extra scoring context. It can help show whether a player who scores first regularly is also consistently involved in touchdown production, but this page remains focused on First TD results.
Does a field goal count as the first touchdown?
No. A field goal can be the first score of the game without settling the First Touchdown Scorer market. The market normally remains open until the first touchdown occurs.
Does a safety count as the first touchdown?
No. A safety scores two points but is not a touchdown, so it does not normally settle the First TD Scorer market.
Does a defensive touchdown count as the first TD?
Yes. An interception or fumble returned for a touchdown can be the game’s first touchdown. How individual offensive-player bets are settled depends on the sportsbook’s specific market rules.
Does a kickoff or punt return touchdown count?
Yes. A kickoff or punt return can be the first touchdown of the game. The returner may be listed individually or covered by another market selection depending on the sportsbook.
Does a quarterback throwing a touchdown count as scoring it?
No in a standard touchdown scorer market. The receiver catching the pass is the scorer. A quarterback can qualify by rushing for the touchdown himself.
What happens if my First TD scorer is inactive?
Sportsbook rules vary. A bet on a player who never participates is commonly voided, while a player who enters the game will generally count as action. Check the sportsbook’s house rules before betting an injured or questionable player.
What happens if there is no touchdown in the game?
Settlement depends on the sportsbook. Some markets include a No Touchdown Scorer option, while others use their own house rules for games that finish without a touchdown.
What are typical First TD scorer odds?
Prices vary by game, but a lead goal-line running back can often be among the shortest options at roughly +300 to +600, a WR1 might fall around +500 to +900, and tight ends or secondary receivers can move into +700 to +1800 territory or longer. These are broad examples rather than live prices.
How do I calculate implied probability from First TD odds?
For positive American odds, divide 100 by the odds plus 100. For example, +500 converts to approximately 16.7% implied probability before accounting for sportsbook margin.
What stats matter most when picking a First TD scorer?
Start with the First TD results in the table, then check goal-line and red-zone usage, opening-drive tendencies, opponent touchdown concessions, expected game script, injuries and the price available across different sportsbooks.
