The NFL Week 8 slate features high-profile matchups including Lamar Jackson's return against the Buffalo Bills, the Detroit Lions hosting the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, and a Monday night showdown between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. Anytime touchdown bets have grown popular among bettors for their longer odds and potential as parlay legs.
Last week, designated as "National Tight Ends Day," saw successful picks on Mike Gesicki (+330), Kyle Pitts (+255), and Tucker Kraft (+175). For Week 8, here are five anytime touchdown bets to consider, avoiding both predictable stars and extreme long shots.
1. Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (+210)
The Bengals' rushing attack ranks third-worst in the NFL at 81.2 yards per game, and lead back Chase Brown sits 27th in rushing with 285 yards on 82 carries. Perine scored a touchdown on four carries for 16 yards last week against the Baltimore Ravens, following a 14-carry, 68-yard performance with a receiving touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. Facing the Tennessee Titans, who will be without defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, Perine could see increased goal-line work. Notably, Perine is Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher, 81 yards ahead of Adrian Peterson.
2. Braelon Allen, New York Jets (+125)
Allen is expected to become the Jets' lead back after Breece Hall's cryptic social media post. The 22-year-old, 6-foot-1, 235-pound runner has topped 100 rushing yards in two of the last three weeks but has only one touchdown. The Jets struggle in the red zone, but their opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders, owns the NFL's third-worst defense.
3. Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins (+125)
Gordon has scored rushing touchdowns in four consecutive games and could become the first Dolphins player since Karim Abdul-Jabbar in 1997 to score in five straight. Abdul-Jabbar, later known as Abdul-Karim Al-Jabbar, tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns that season. Gordon has also recorded two 100-yard rushing games in his last three outings.
4. Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders (+310)
With Terry McLaurin out for the season, the Commanders will lean more on tight end Chig Okonkwo in the passing game. Okonkwo led the Titans in receiving last year with 560 yards on 56 catches and has topped 60 receiving yards in each of his last two games, including a seven-catch, 69-yard effort against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. He seeks his first touchdown reception with Washington in a Sunday night matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
5. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (+330)
Thomas played just 15 snaps in his last game, but the Jaguars may showcase him ahead of the trade deadline against the Indianapolis Colts. Head coach Liam Coen said, "He's going to help us make plays this week. I know it. We gotta continue to put him in the best position to do so. BT cares about winning and losing... I'm excited about attacking this week with BT," via Mia O'Brien. Thomas added, "I feel like I still know what I can do, I just have to go out there and do it. Show everybody what I can do," via The Florida Times-Union. The rookie caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 but has only nine catches for 105 yards and one touchdown in six games this season.
