Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) rushes with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
The NFL season is down to the final three weeks, and while some teams are chasing playoff spots, players are chasing personal accolades and records. Let’s take a look at the four NFL players with the best chances to score a touchdown in Week 16.
Justin Fields +200
The Chicago Bears have nothing to play for these final three games, except individual accolades and accomplishments. Quarterback Justin Fields needs just over 200 rushing yards to break the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback. He averages just over 75 yards per game on the ground and has scored eight touchdowns on the season.
With frigid temperatures expected in Chicago, neither the Bears nor the Bills are likely to have success throwing the ball, especially if it is as windy as forecasted. The Bears are a run first team any way and Fields is their best (only) playmaker. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, even against a good defense like the Bills.
Justin Jefferson -125
Speaking of records, Justin Jefferson is on pace to set the single-season record for receiving yards, but somehow only has seven touchdowns on the season. He’s scored three times in the last four weeks but hasn’t had a multi-touchdown game since opening week against Green Bay. This should be a great chance to get Jefferson back in the end zone against a Giants team without its top corner back in Adoree Jackson.
The Vikings have force-fed the ball to Jefferson, with good reason, the last month. He’s had at least 11 targets in four straight games with 39 catches for 530 yards in that span. Jefferson is averaging over 110 yards per game when the Vikings play indoors this season and five of his seven touchdowns have come indoors, including the last three.
The Vikings are playing for seeding in the NFC and need this win. The best way to get it is by finding Jefferson and letting him get into the end zone against the Giants.
Derrick Henry -160
The odds here aren’t great since the Titans are playing the wretched Houston Texans. Lovie Smith’s defense can’t stop anyone on the ground and now they have to deal with King Henry, who is second in the NFL in rushing yards, first in attempts and third in touchdowns. He has scored in two straight games and gone over 100 yards in both of those games as well.
Henry destroyed the Texans earlier this season for 219 yards and two touchdowns. In 11 career games against the Texans, Henry has 11 touchdowns and four games with at least 200 rushing yards. The last time he didn’t score against Houston was Week 14 of the 2019 season and he has four straight 200+ yard games vs. Texans defense.
If you really want to go for it, Henry is +310 to score two touchdowns against the Texans, which he has done in four straight games.
Christian McCaffrey -170
McCaffrey has found the end zone in three straight games for San Francisco. In the Week 14 win over Tampa Bay he scored twice, once on a rush and once on a reception. He has carried the load in the backfield with 49ers injuries and picked up a season-high 26 rush attempts last week at Seattle.
If Brock Purdy isn’t 100% on Saturday, the 49ers will again focus on the run as they host Washington. The Commanders gave up 87 yards and a touchdown to Saquon Barkley Sunday night and could be in for a long day if CMC gets 25-30 touches again this week.
With Deebo Samuel out and other 49ers limited, Kyle Shanahan has no problem riding his superstar up and down the field looking to move a step closer to a Top 2 seed.
Be sure to check out all of this weekend’s NFL picks!