Sports Betting

49ers vs. Chargers First Touchdown Scorer Picks: 3 Juicy Bets for Sunday Night Football

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By
Jack Dougherty
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Jack Dougherty Sports Editor

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.  

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Published13 Nov 2022

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Gerald Everett warms up before a game.

It’s time for another primetime game on the 2022-23 NFL schedule, which means it’s time for another three-pack of first touchdown scorer bets from yours truly. We’ve got another fun one tonight as the San Francisco 49ers are set to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

So, let’s try for a juicy payout on SNF and target three first touchdown scorer bets for 49ers-Chargers.

Deebo Samuel +650

After missing San Francisco’s last game against the Los Angeles Rams, Deebo Samuel is back in the lineup this week and ready to tear up the Chargers defense. LA is giving up 25.8 points per game this season, which ranks 30th in the NFL.

It’s going to be fascinating to see what Kyle Shanahan has in store for Samuel and Christian McCaffrey on the field together, and I think we see a heavy dose of both in the run and pass game on Sunday Night Football. Considering McCaffrey is only +350 to score the first touchdown, I’d rather bet Samuel at +650 (FanDuel) for a bigger payout.

Gerald Everett +2200

Gerald Everett warms up before a game.
Los Angeles tight end Gerald Everett warms up prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons | Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

This price doesn’t make any sense to me. The Chargers will be without both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams on Sunday night. The only other player on the roster with more targets than Gerald Everett this season is Austin Ekeler. Everett should be Justin Herbert’s No. 1 target against the 49ers, yet he’s 21/1 to score the first touchdown and priced behind Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter?

I think this number is way too high, so I’ll take the value on Everett at +2200.

Justin Herbert +3600

RELATED: Packers vs. Cowboys First Touchdown Scorer Picks: 3 Juicy Bets for America’s Game of the Week

Herbert isn’t exactly a dual-threat quarterback, but he’s taken off to run at least once in every game this season. He hasn’t found the end zone as a runner yet this year, but he scored five rushing touchdowns in his rookie year and three more last season.

A QB sneak with Herbert should be in play if the Chargers move the ball down to the goal line, and he has the agility to scramble for a score if the pocket collapses in the red zone. I think this 36/1 price is a bit high, so I’ll take a stab on LA’s QB.

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