
NFL Player Props AFC Championship Game: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens Top Anytime TD Scorer Bets
NFL PLAYER PROPS AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS. BALTIMORE RAVENS TOP ANYTIME TD SCORER BETS
The final four teams are set to compete for a trip to Super Bowl LVIII, starting with the AFC Championship Game between Baltimore and Kansas City.
Oddsmakers are laying 4.5 points with the Ravens at home, making Patrick Mahomes a road underdog for the second consecutive week. The two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback will lead the defending champion Chiefs into M&T Bank Stadium to face a stingy Baltimore defense. In the playoffs, Kansas City has turned up their offense a couple of notches, channeling their offense through star tight end Travis Kelce, running back Isiah Pacheco, and rookie wideout Rashee Rice.
Lamar Jackson is the MVP favorite after another decorated season. The Ravens have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, paired with a lockdown secondary, and a run defense that held Houston under 40 total rushing yards in the AFC Divisional Round. Whether it was going on the road in prime time and shutting down San Francisco, or routing Detroit at home earlier in the year, Baltimore's on the verge of earning its first trip back to the Super Bowl in over a decade. The point total is set to 44.5, with -120 odds on the under, but that doesn't mean there won't be a flurry of touchdowns scored during the AFC Championship Game.
Coming off of a red-hot divisional round, hitting on six of eight anytime touchdown scorer props, including a 4-0 sweep in the Lions vs. Buccaneers NFC Divisional Round matchup, NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his favorite anytime touchdown scorer props to wager during the AFC Championship Game between Baltimore and Kansas City.
CHIEFS VS. RAVENS DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: January 28, 2024
- Game Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
BEST AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ANYTIME TD BETS: CHIEFS VS. RAVENS
TRAVIS KELCE ANYTIME TD SCORER (+125) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Let's not overthink this first anytime touchdown scorer prop bet. Travis Kelce is built for the postseason. The Chiefs' star tight end scored a pair of touchdowns against Buffalo in the AFC Divisional Round game, after failing to find the end zone against Miami in the Wild Card Round. Kelce has scored at least one touchdown in seven of his previous eight playoff games, while getting fed targets by Patrick Mahomes.
The Ravens didn't surrender many tight end touchdowns this season, but they did give up two touchdowns to this position in back-to-back games against the Chargers and Rams in December. Houston's offense couldn't function at all last week, but we're talking about the Chiefs, which is currently in the midst of a dynasty run.
Factoring in Kelce's targets, earning at least six in both playoff games, including going 5-75-2 on six targets against the Bills last week, we're obligated to bet on Kelce's anytime touchdown scorer prop at +125 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
GUS EDWARDS ANYTIME TD SCORER (+135) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Here's the thing about Gus Edwards. Everyone was on his anytime touchdown scorer prop against Houston last week in the AFC Divisional Round, simply because Baltimore feeds him carries whenever they get near the goal-line. Edwards saw one quality carry inside of the five-yard line, but failed to convert it, resulting in Lamar Jackson soaking up the majority of carries, leading to two rushing touchdowns for the Ravens' franchise quarterback.
Kansas City's run defense is its weakness, so Baltimore will likely continue to establish the run with a mixture of Jackson, Edwards, and Justice Hill. Bettors will be gravitating toward Jackson due to his recent two-touchdown burst against the Texans last weekend, plus Josh Allen recorded two rushing touchdowns against the Chiefs a week ago. Still, this feels like a great spot to bet on Edwards' anytime touchdown scorer odds at +135. He's a battering ram in the red zone, and the Chiefs are much more equipped to rush the passer and defend downfield than they are when it comes to defending short-yardage situations.
Edwards is worth a one-unit wager at the best odds we've seen on his anytime touchdown scorer line in weeks.
ISIAH PACHECO ANYTIME TD SCORER (+140) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
No one runs harder in the NFL than Isiah Pacheco. Despite ankle and toe injuries, Kansas City's second-year running back has earned the RB1 role in the Chiefs' backfield, churning out 15-24 carries in three consecutive games.
Baltimore's run defense was dominant against Houston, however, the Texans' offensive line and running back personnel is hardly comparable to the Chiefs. Pacheco has scored a touchdown in each of his last six games played, earning anywhere from 15-25 touches per game, utilizing his hard-nosed running style to hit running lanes and impose his will on defenders.
At +140 odds, Pacheco's anytime touchdown scorer prop is a solid one-unit wager to place entering a game that will likely see both teams rely on establishing the run to move the football. The Ravens allowed three different running backs to score in each of their final three regular season games, so Pacheco stands out due to his high-usage role, plus his ability to finish in the red zone.
ISAIAH LIKELY ANYTIME TD SCORER (+350) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The return of Ravens' star tight end Mark Andrews will draw quite a few wagers on his anytime touchdown scorer prop. It's deserved, but remember, Andrews was just activated off of I.R. following a crack fibula and ankle ligament injury he sustained just a few weeks ago. He's likely playing through some lingering pain, so this will open up opportunities for Baltimore's other talented tight end, Isaiah Likely, to generate production downfield for the Ravens' offense.
Likely is red-hot right now, scoring at least one touchdown in each of Baltimore's last four home games. The second-year tight end has scored all six of his touchdowns this season since December, accomplishing this feat with three or fewer targets since Week 17. He remains a talented player within the Ravens' passing attack, and stands to benefit from Kansas City's attention on Andrews, as both of these tight ends will assuredly play snaps together.
At +350 odds, we're getting phenomenal value on Likely's anytime touchdown scorer prop at FanDuel Sportsbook. Kansas City allowed Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid to catch all five targets for 45 yards, despite no touchdown a week ago, as their secondary is more equipped to handle the Ravens' wideouts on the perimeter versus tight ends operating in the middle of the field. Let's wager a unit on Likely at +350 odds.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ANYTIME TD PICKS: CHIEFS VS. RAVENS
- Travis Kelce Anytime TD Scorer (+125) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
- Gus Edwards Anytime TD Scorer (+135) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
- Isiah Pacheco Anytime TD Scorer (+140) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
- Isaiah Likely Anytime TD Scorer (+350) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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Article Author
Matt is an avid writer, editor, and researcher. He enjoys analyzing the game within the game which is fantasy sports and sports betting. Music is another constant in his daily life. Matt loves spending time with his wife and three pets. He likes to read, listen to podcasts, and is constantly motivated to create the most accurate and engaging content in the sports betting industry.