Admin November 23, 2024
NFL Week 12 picks: Why you should consider Broncos and Lions on Sunday
Lorenzo Reyes is back with his three best bets for Sunday’s games.
Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season is here.
Sunday promises to be entertaining, including divisional games in the NFC North Minnesota Vikings (8-2) at Chicago Bears (4-6) and NFC West Arizona Cardinals (6-4) at Seattle Seahawks (5-5). We’ll also have the San Francisco 49ers (5-5) at Green Bay Packers (7-3) in the evening as the Packers aim for redemption from a playoff loss in 2023.
At this point in the season, injuries have taken their toll across the NFL, but some of those injuries open up opportunities for lesser-known players to make an impact and score a touchdown on Sunday. At the same time, superstars aim to carry their teams on Sunday by finding paydirt.
USA TODAY Sports has narrowed down the best options for anytime touchdown scorers for you here. Let’s get to the best NFL bets for Sunday games in Week 12 with odds from BetMGM. Best of luck if you tail.
Top NFL anytime TD scorer bets Week 12
Odds as of Saturday.
Bears WR Rome Odunze (+300) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Over the last month, the Bears’ offense has been difficult to trust. This will be the second week Caleb Williams and the offense will come out under the new offensive coordinator, Thomas Brown. Last week, the Bears’ rookie first-round receiver received a team-high 32% of targets. Over the last eight games, Odunze has a whopping 38% end zone target share. The Vikings have allowed the second-most receptions per game to opposing wide receivers.
Listed as 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a legitimate red-zone threat. According to PFF, Odunze was the sixth-ranked player in the 2024 NFL draft. GM Ryan Poles has paired one of the best receivers in the draft with their new franchise quarterback, and the stage is set this Sunday for a peak into the exciting future in Chicago when they host a division rival.
Last week, the 23-year-old speedster Jameson Williams was featured, and he came through with a 64-yard touchdown grab. The Detroit Lions are a touchdown favorite in Week 12. Again, the Lions have the highest implied team total of the week on the road against the Colts. Williams has a respectable 20% target share in his first two games since returning from suspension.
The Colts play zone at the second-highest rate under Gus Bradley, and Jared Goff averages 8.3 yards per attempt when facing zone compared to 7.8 against man. Jameo leads the Lions with an average depth of target of 19.1 yards, and the Colts have allowed the fifth-most yards on deep passes. Williams has an excellent opportunity to connect on a deep touchdown pass for the second straight week.
Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (+150) at Giants
The Buccaneers head to MetLife, and the Giants are in turmoil after benching Daniel Jones. Tommy DeVito will start under center for Big Blue, and this could lead to short fields as DeVito showed a propensity for throwing interceptions and taking unnecessary sacks. The Giants have the worst run defense in the league. They have allowed the most yards per carry (5.3), yards after contact, and explosive rush rate. Instead of continuing to dump on the Giants, let’s talk up rookie running back Bucky Irving.
Irving has burst onto the scene as a pleasant surprise weapon in Tampa’s offense. He has scored a touchdown in three of the last five games. With the game script likely to favor Tampa, more rushing attempts are in store for Irving. Out of 53 qualified running backs, only Kenneth Walker III has averaged more avoided tackles per rush this season. Bank on Bucky to score a touchdown.
Raiders TE Brock Bowers (+200) vs Broncos
It’s a big week for the rookies, and another to-back on Sunday is Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. In his first game with new offensive coordinator Scott Turner, he finished with career-highs in targets (16), receptions (13) and yards (126). This Sunday, he faces a familiar foe, the Broncos, who he torched for 8 receptions, 97 yards and a score against back in Week 5. He’s on his way to posting the best rookie season ever by a tight end, and he will continue to put his stamp on it this Sunday.
Sticking with the theme, Marvin Harrison Jr. has had an underwhelming start to his rookie season, but things are about to heat up for the superstar receiver as the schedule for the rest of the season favors a breakout. This week, the NFC West-leading Cardinals will meet the Seahawks, who have allowed the fourth-highest completion percentage on deep passes. He scored in two of the last three games before the Week 11 bye. The rookie and Kyler Murray have had plenty of time to build a rapport.
Seahawks WR DK Metcalf (+155) vs Cardinals
Our final anytime touchdown bet for Sunday will come in the form of a familiar face in Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. The uber-athletic freak will be playing in his second game since returning from a knee sprain. He was a full-go in his return, reeling in 7 of 9 targets for 70 yards in Week 11 and playing 90% of snaps. This Sunday, he has a terrific opportunity to take over with a matchup against the Cardinals secondary that deploys a zone-base coverage scheme under Jonathan Gannon.
Metcalf has an advantage when lined up with corner Sean Murphy-Bunting on the outside. He leads Seattle in target share against zone, and Arizona has allowed the 10th-highest explosive pass play rate. This NFC West clash should be highly competitive setting the stage for DK to score a TD on Sunday.
