Washington starts off the 2023 NFL season by hosting the Cardinals at home. The total for this game ranges from 37.5 to 38.5, meaning that oddsmakers do not expect a lot of scoring in this game. Still, Washington is a seven-point favorite with a team total of 22.5 – 24 points, meaning Washington is expected to do most of the scoring, and there should be some touchdowns scored. Let’s take a look at the best any time touchdown scorer bets for the Commanders vs Cardinals.
Commanders vs Cardinals – Any Time Touchdown Scorers
Antonio Gibson (WAS) +240 (DraftKings)
Gibson only found the end zone five times last season in six games played, but he should have a bigger role in the offense this season. Gibson is not a traditional running back. He is more in the weapon category, and he has the ability to line up in the slot or out wide. Eric Bienemy, Washington’s new OC, should be a fan of his skillset – Gibson is very much like Jet McKinnon, and McKinnon was great for the Chiefs last year.
Bienemy and head coach Ron Rivera both said that Washington wants to run the ball more. With a pseudo-rookie at QB, this strategy makes a ton of sense. Gibson is not the primary rusher, but he should be available on most third-down packages, and he has the ability to find the end zone in the air. Against a weak team like Arizona, Gibson should have a few opportunities to reach the end zone.
Sam Howell (WAS) +350 (BetMGM)
Sam Howell played just one NFL game last year, and in that lone start, he ran in a touchdown. While Howell is by no means a run-first QB, he is an athlete, and he has the ability to create outside of the pocket. Considering how bad Washington’s offensive line is, even though they are going against a team with little to no pass rush, Howell will still probably need to escape a few situations. He had five rushing attempts for 35 yards in his NFL debut last season, so while he is not looking to run first, he can pick up yards and maybe score in the end zone.
Josuha Dobbs (AZ) +750 (PointsBet)
Josh Dobbs is officially the Cardinals’ starter, and they brought him in because he knows the offensive system the Cardinals want to deploy. Dobbs is not a rushing QB, but since I am expecting Washington’s defensive line to steamroll the Cardinals’ offensive line, Dobbs may need to run out of necessity. In two starts last season, Dobbs had just eight rushes for 44 yards, and he has 0 rushing TDs in eight career starts. This is a good matchup for him to find the end zone because how else is Arizona going to get yards? Washington should dominate the run game, and Dobbs is not a great passer. Arizona does not have a real bruiser in the backfield, so a Dobbs run seems like the most likely way for them to reach paydirt.
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