Garion Thorne details his top first touchdown scorer props for Week 4’s matchup between the Vikings and the Steelers in Dublin, Ireland.
The NFL’s 2025 International Series kicks off, literally, in Dublin, Ireland this weekend, as the Vikings and Steelers cross the pond for a Week 4 tilt. In this article, we’ll be breaking down some picks to score the first touchdown in this contest — technically, the first touchdown of Sunday’s whole slate, as this game starts at 9:30 a.m. ET.
So, grab a coffee and come sweat a couple bets with me over on the DraftKings Sportsbook. Best part is, if they don’t hit, you can probably just go back to sleep.
Vikings vs. Steelers First Touchdown Scorer Prop Bets
Jordan Mason First Touchdown Scorer (+425)
I know. We’re starting chalky. Still, there’s a reason that Jordan Mason has the shortest odds of scoring the opening touchdown in this matchup. Despite Aaron Jones starting two of Minnesota’s three games so far this season, Mason has seen 77.8% of the Vikings’ total carries inside the red zone — the fourth-highest rate of any running back in the NFL. Mason’s also seen Minnesota’s lone rushing attempt inside the opponent’s five-yard line through three weeks, which he took into the end zone for a touchdown in Week 3’s drubbing of the Bengals. Mason has the monopoly on goal line touches with Jones injured. That’s a fact. If the Vikings get down close, he’ll surely get the first crack at glory.
Pat Freiermuth First Touchdown Scorer (+1600)
There’s a couple different ways to look at this matchup between the Steelers’ aerial attack and the Vikings’ secondary. On the one hand, Minnesota has been very stingy to opposing passing games, allowing a paltry 5.1 yards per passing attempt — the second-lowest mark in the NFL. The Vikings have also conceded only two passing touchdowns across three weeks, which is the fewest of any team. That’s pretty daunting. However, this is sort of looking like a strength versus strength situation, because Aaron Rodgers entered Week 4 leading the league in red zone passing touchdowns (6). Pat Freiermuth has yet to be on the receiving end of one of those scores, yet the former second-round pick could be in for more volume this Sunday, as Jonnu Smith is currently listed as questionable due to a hip injury. If Smith sits, these Freiermuth odds are too long to ignore.