Early Touchdown Predictions for Week 1 — 2026 NFL Expert Picks
Written by: Varun Sharma
Last Update: Sun Sep 06, 2026, 9:10 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
nfl
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+3.5
-120
42
-105u
+160
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-3.0
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We're officially four nights from the start of the 2026 NFL Season and I can't help but stare at the available betting lines. We've got a ton of props available, sides, totals, team totals and my favorite; anytime touchdowns.
If you're new here, welcome. If you've been here, welcome back. The anytime touchdown market is one of the funnest markets in all of sports. While it can be incredibly frustrating, it also be incredibly rewarding. Both mentally and (more importantly) financially.
I've got a few anytime touchdowns on my radar going into Week 1 and while I haven't pulled the trigger on all of them; I wanted to share some early looks before we lock in for Week 1.
Ps. Yes, they are all tight ends. But take a look at my piece on their importance and you can see why.
For more information on betting the NFL, check our full NFL Betting Guide.
The Touchdown Short List
- Isaiah Likely Anytime Touchdown (+290)
- Darren Waller Anytime Touchdown (+390)
- Darnell Washington Anytime Touchdown (+550)
Isaiah Likely Anytime Touchdown (+290) | Lucky Rebel
Isaiah Likely is 26 years old, he's about to enter his fifth season in the NFL and for the first time in his career; he's the top TE on the depth chart.
Likely's never eclipsed the 500-yard mark, he's never averaged more than 3 targets per game and he's coming off a season in which he scored just 1 singular touchdown.
Yet, one of the first moves the new Head Coach John Harbaugh made when coming to New York was bringing Likely along with him.
Throughout camp, reports have come out that Likely is Jaxson Dart's favourite target and while this comes without Malik Nabers back at practice; I still love everything I'm hearing.
Likely played just 9 games in his career without Mark Andrews on the field. He averaged 5.2 targets, 3.4 receptions and 50.3 receiving yards per game in these 9 games as the team's TE1.
Head Coach John Harbaugh has historically gotten the best out of his TEs and part of it just comes from the volume he diverts their way. Andrews was the Ravens' TE1 last year, he perennially lead the team in touchdowns under Harbaugh and scored a total 56 touchdowns in 8 seasons.
Harbaugh's new TE1 is a physically gifted Isaiah Likely and I'm excited to see what he's got planned for the 26-year old.
SMASH OR PASS💥
The NFL Kicks off in 1 Week & @vsaaauce is looking at TOUCHDOWNS 😏
ISAIAH LIKELY ATD (+275) 🏈@AdamMKaufman thinks it's a SMASH & @ThejCarlucci thinks it is "likely" (pun intended) 😂 pic.twitter.com/y6Vv4ZGw6S
— Betting News (@YourBettingNews) September 2, 2026
Darren Waller Anytime Touchdown (+390) | Lucky Rebel
This one is probably the riskiest of the bunch, despite not being the longest odds of the three. Darren Waller retired for one year, he came out of retirement and he was promptly traded to the Miami Dolphins.
Waller scored 6 touchdowns in just 9 games for the Dolphins, he didn't play a ton of snaps and almost exclusively came onto the field when the team got into the redzone.
Waller's 6'6 frame, his strength and his speed make him a constant mismatch on the field and even more so in the redzone. He played just 234 snaps last year, he saw just 34 targets and 7 of those targets came in the redzone. He scored 6 touchdowns in the redzone last year on just 7 targets.
Last year the Carolina Panthers ranked 25th in redzone attempts per game, 14th in redzone scoring efficiency; scoring a touchdown on 57% of their redzone opportunities.
Bryce Young threw 23 touchdowns last year, only 3 of which went to his TEs. Waller, even at 33 years old; is the best TE that Young's ever played with. The importance of a good TE can't be understated for a young QB.
They provide an outlet for their QB and a type of release valve. They've got 'break in case of emergency' type of energy and Waller fits the mold perfectly.
Last year, in 7 games with Waller on the field; Tua Tagovailoa threw 9 touchdowns. Six of those touchdowns went to our guy Waller. He's a weapon down in the redzone and there is a reason the Panthers kept him on the roster.
Darnell Washington Anytime Touchdown (+550) | Lucky Rebel
Easily the craziest of the bunch, Darnell Washington at nearly 6-to-1 odds.
If you were here last year, you know we love Darnell at Betting News.
Darnell's going into his fourth year in the league, he's got just 2 career touchdowns and we cashed in on that second one.
Washington's an interesting look because it's not his speed, his hands or his route running that peak my interest; it's just his size.
Washington is 6'7, 264 pounds and provides one of the biggest 'target areas' in the NFL. He is the tallest 'pass catcher' in the NFL and his target share existed almost exlusively in the redzone or short distance.
Washington played 48% of passing downs last year but 80% inside the 5-yard line and 70% inside the 10-yard line. He's used heavily close to the endzone and it's because of how big a target he provides.
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You may know me as ‘VSaaauce’. I’ve been a die hard hoops fan my entire life. I’ve been betting on the NBA/NCAAB/NFL/MLB for six years now, each year gaining more and more knowledge about being a profitable handicapper. I’m eager to learn, and eager to pass on everything I’ve gained over the last few years. I started my Twitter page four years ago, and this community makes me so thankful I did. Outside of sports and handicapping, I enjoy traveling, hoopin, a strong espresso and I’m currently studying to obtain my MD. I’m all about the vibes, good vibes only. If that sounds like you, follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce.
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