Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) blocks during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) – Media by Associated Press
We’re nearing the playoffs and down to just two weeks remaining in regular season play. With teams scrapping for spots in the postseason, here are our Top Four players to score a touchdown in Week 17.
Cole Kmet +225
Though Cole Kmet has been limited to just five receiving touchdowns this season, he’ll have an opportunity for a massive game on Sunday. Kmet will be lined up against a Detroit Lions defense that has allowed the most yards and most points against this season.
He’s also no stranger to success against the Lions, as two of his five touchdowns came against Detroit in Week 9. Kmet has also seen five or more targets in six of the past seven games, and the Lions have allowed 10 touchdowns to opposing tight ends this year.
Travis Etienne +100
Travis Etienne has seen an expanded role in the past two weeks after a slower stretch in the middle of the season. While it may be easy to write this one off, as Etienne has just four touchdowns this season, Jacksonville is pushing for the playoffs and will need their second-year back to help lead the charge.
Houston’s defense has been porous against the run, conceding the most rushing yards (2,529) and third-most rushing touchdowns (21) this season. With Jacksonville favored to win, the game script should allow for a heavy dose of Etienne on the ground, and he should be able to hit pay dirt.
Jerry Jeudy (odds not yet available)
We know what you’re thinking here: “A Broncos passing touchdown? Are you sure??”
Yes, Russell Wilson has been underwhelming since arriving in Denver, and to this date, he has the same number of passing touchdowns (12) as he has bathrooms in his house.
With that in mind, the Broncos will be forced to throw the ball against Kansas City on Sunday, as the Chiefs are still in the mix for the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Even better, Kansas City has allowed a league-high 31 passing touchdowns to their opponents this year.
Three of Wilson’s touchdowns have come against KC. Even better, Jerry Jeudy was the receiver who snagged all three of those touchdowns. You can feel confident in this one despite the Broncos’ lackluster season thus far.
Dalvin Cook -125
Dalvin Cook has played eight games against the Packers in his career, scoring nine touchdowns (seven rushing, two receiving) across those contests. Back in Minnesota’s 23-7 Week 1 win over Green Bay, Cook rushed for 90 yards and amassed 18 receiving yards but was unable to find the end zone, so there’s already a hunger there.
Furthermore, the Packers will have much of their attention geared toward slowing down the big-play ability of Justin Jefferson, who needs 208 receiving yards to set the single-season NFL receiving record. Minnesota has also found a wonderful complement in the receiving game with tight end T.J. Hockenson, who hauled in 13 catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns last week.
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