First Touchdown Scorer Predictions for Monday Night Football Week 17

Week 17 concludes with the Detroit Lions visiting Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., for their date with the San Francisco 49ers at 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN).

The 49ers limp into Week 17 having lost five of their last six games. Do they have enough in the tank to upset the visiting Lions?

My first touchdown scorer predictions for Monday Night Football are counting on big nights from both of the lead running backs in this game.

Regardless of what happens in this contest, the Lions will face the Minnesota Vikings next week with first place in the NFC North and the first seed in the conference. While they may not be overlooking their opponents this week, it certainly has to be in the back of their minds.

San Francisco has been eliminated from the postseason for several weeks now and hopes to get through the rest of the year without any more major injuries. A home win against a conference leader would be a major confidence boost as the season winds down. 

As part of our NFL Week 17 predictions, Mike Spector has already made his Lions vs. 49ers prediction, but let's look at who will find pay dirt first.  

First touchdown scorer predictions Monday Night Football: Week 17

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Lions first touchdown scorer prediction: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: | Implied probability: 22.22%

Gibbs and his backfield partner David Montgomery have teamed up to become one of the league's most prolific running back duos, accounting for 28% of their team’s total touchdown tally. Montgomery is out again this week with his sprained MCL, leaving Gibbs open for another solid solo outing.

The two have scored the first touchdown in nine of 15 games this season, with Gibbs responsible for three. Last week, he was the first player to cross the goal line against the Chicago Bears.

Teams have had success scoring on the ground against San Francisco, as the 49ers allow the second-most rushing touchdowns per game (1.3) and the third-highest opponent rushing touchdown percentage (51.28%) in the league. ;   

I expect the Lions to do what they do best and let Sonic speed up and down the field early and often, turning your $10 bet into a $35 profit. 

49ers first touchdown scorer prediction: Isaac Guerendo, RB ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: | Implied probability: 14.29%

Guerendo will suit up against the Lions after missing last week with a hamstring injury. His four rushing touchdowns are tied with quarterback Brock Purdy for the most on San Francisco this season. 

The 49ers have the second-highest rushing touchdown percentage at home this season with 57.9% of their six-point plays coming by way of the ground game. This plays out well for Guerendo as he is facing a Detroit defense that has allowed the second-highest percentage of rushing touchdowns (58.3%) over its last three outings. 

San Francisco is too banged up to keep up with the Lions in a track meet, so I anticipate the 49ers to slow things down on the ground, leaving Guerendo in prime position to bring back a $60 profit on your $10 ticket.

Monday Night Football first touchdown scorer odds

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