Rain could be in the forecast, but that won’t stop the touchdowns. With a 50.5-point total, here are three Lions vs. Panthers touchdown bets I’m targeting Sunday night.
Lions fans will have to wait a little longer to see their team play this week as Detroit takes on the Panthers for Sunday Night Football. Last week, five different players between the Jets and Lions scored touchdowns, and I believe we could see something similar this week.
The current point total is set at 50.5, making it the second-highest total on the NFL slate this week. Despite the possibility of rain Sunday night, I believe there will be plenty of opportunities for touchdowns to be scored. Here are my top three touchdown-scorer bets for Lions vs. Panthers.
Jahmyr Gibbs 2+ TDs (+155)
It would be easy to call out Gibbs to score one touchdown, but predicting him to score two isn’t nearly as guaranteed. Gibbs is coming off a game against the Jets in which he scored three touchdowns.
Gibbs has six touchdowns this season, four rushing and two receiving. He has also scored in every game and has scored at least two touchdowns in two of Detroit’s three games.
Currently, the Panthers are allowing 193.3 rushing yards per game, which is dead last in the NFL. They have also allowed six rushing touchdowns through three games.
It’s important to note that all six of those touchdowns came in Carolina’s Week 1 loss to the Bears, when the Panthers surrendered 28 carries for 224 yards and four rushing touchdowns to Chicago’s running backs, with quarterback, Caleb Williams recording the other two.
However, what makes Gibbs so special is his ability as a receiver. With two receiving touchdowns this season, Gibbs has an additional avenue to find the end zone, which is why I like him to score at least two touchdowns.
Darren Waller Anytime TD (+270)
I will continue betting on opposing Lions tight ends to score touchdowns until Detroit figures out how to stop them. Through three games, Detroit has allowed six touchdowns to six different tight ends.
Detroit has also allowed 29 receptions for 351 yards to opposing tight ends. It’s evident that the Lions’ linebackers have struggled to cover tight ends in pass coverage, and I expect the Panthers to try to exploit that matchup.
Another thing to monitor is Carolina’s leading pass catcher in receptions and receiving yards, Jalen Coker, who is questionable to play after being knocked out early in last week’s matchup against the Browns.
Waller currently has two touchdowns on the season, although both came in the same game. At +270, I believe there is enough value to take a shot on him finding the end zone again.
Sam LaPorta Anytime TD (+180)
Despite having just one touchdown this season, I like LaPorta’s chances of finding the end zone Sunday night.
There are currently just two tight ends in the NFL with more red-zone targets than LaPorta, who has five this season. LaPorta is also tied for sixth in the NFL in red-zone receptions.
Carolina allowed Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to record two touchdowns last week, and the Panthers have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends this season, which is tied for the fourth-most in the NFL.
LaPorta is currently averaging 6.3 targets and 4.6 receptions per game. His lone touchdown came on the road against Buffalo during a primetime matchup, and just like that game, he will be on the road in a primetime matchup against the Panthers.
These lines come from FanDuel Sportsbook and can vary depending on which sportsbook you’re using, so make sure to shop around before placing any bets.
