Sports betting: The NFL season opens on Thursday, bringing NFL betting back with it

Updated Sep. 4, 2024 11:42 a.m. ET

Associated Press

The NFL season, and NFL betting, are back.

One prop bet option is anytime touchdown scorer, meaning if that player scores a touchdown at any time, the bet cashes.

The opening game of the season is Thursday when the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs face the Baltimore Ravens.

Here are some players who could find the end zone in Week 1, with odds from the BetMGM online sportsbook:

RUNNING BACK

Mixon will make his Texans debut against the Indianapolis Colts. The former Cincinnati Bengal has 16 rushing touchdowns in the red zone since 2022, which is tied for fifth among running backs. Meanwhile, the Colts have allowed 42 rushing touchdowns since 2022, the third most in the league.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints, +120

The Carolina Panthers allowed the most rushing touchdowns of any team a year ago, giving Kamara a good chance to find the end zone in this NFC South matchup. At +120, Kamara has the best odds of any Saints player to score.

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings, +140

Like Mixon, Jones is playing his first game as a member of a new team after coming over from the Green Bay Packers this offseason. The New York Giants allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns in 2023 and Jones should get a lot of carries with Sam Darnold as Minnesota’s starting quarterback.

WIDE RECEIVER

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins, -155

The Dolphins receiver has the shortest odds of any player in the league to score a touchdown. Sunday’s Miami- Jacksonville matchup has an over/under of 49, so plenty of points are expected. Hill had a monster Week 1 last year, totaling 215 yards receiving and two touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers.

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers, +175

Watson is entering his third season in the league and, now fully healthy, is primed for a big year. He has a good matchup this week against the Philadelphia Eagles, who allowed 1.7 touchdowns per game to wide receivers a year ago — tied for the worst average in the league. Furthermore, the Packers wideouts had 27 touchdowns last year, tied for the most in the NFL.

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills, +160

The Arizona Cardinals allowed the third-most receiving touchdowns last year. With Stefon Diggs gone from the Bills, Josh Allen doesn’t have a true go-to receiver, and Kincaid could emerge as that guy. In his final 11 games last year, the rookie caught 72 passes to earn the trust of his quarterback.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM online sportsbook.

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