NFL First Touchdown Props for Conference Championship: Aiyuk Strikes First for 49ers

Prop bet #1: No standing Pat

The AFC serves us up a really interesting game between the Chiefs and Ravens. I can’t fight the feeling that it’s going to be a tough game for both teams, and one in which defense will be king. Given the Chiefs’ struggles against the run, it’s easy to look at Lamar Jackson or one of the Ravens’ rushers to score first but I really love the +2,800 Patrick Mahomes odds to score first.

We haven’t seen a rushing touchdown from Mahomes since Week 16 of last season, and he hasn’t had one in the playoffs since the AFC Championship win over the Bills two seasons ago. It’s easy to forget, but in Mahomes’ 16 playoff games he’s rushed for five touchdowns, just over one per three games. We haven’t seen one in a long time and with the Ravens’ defense being so strong, I see Mahomes taking the team on his back and rushing for a TD.

Patrick Mahomes prop: First touchdown (+2,800 at 888sport)

Prop bet #2: Brand awareness

The 49ers are 7-point favorites, which should give us an indication that they’ll open the scoring. I think they’re good value to be front runners, and they’ve scored the first TD in eight of their past 10 games at home. 

The Lions secondary is a pass funnel and had the sixth-worst record in terms of yardage allowed per game in the regular season, with 247.4 yards. Across two playoff games, they’ve averaged 338 passing yards against, with all four remaining teams seeing less than 200 yards against per game. This is a team that simply can’t stop the pass, and with Brandon Aiyuk’s deep threat, I see him as the man most likely to score first. 

Aiyuk’s scored seven touchdowns this season, with the last coming in Week 17, but with the Lions’ defense being strong against the run, this tips it in favor of Brandon Aiyuk odds opening the scoring over Christian McCaffrey. 

Brandon Aiyuk prop: First touchdown (+700 at 888sport)