The Chicago Bears (6-2) welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) to Soldier Field for Sunday Night Football in Week 9, and the first touchdown scorer market offers an intriguing angle on a game with contrasting offensive styles. For those weighing Bears vs. Buccaneers first touchdown options, the prices suggest a pair of value plays that stand out from the crowd.
How the First Touchdown Market Shapes Up
Chicago running back D’Andre Swift is the clear favorite to open the scoring, priced at $0.20. Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving follows at $0.13, while Bears tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III are each listed at $0.09. Rome Odunze sits at $0.08, with Emeka Egbuka and Roschon Johnson at $0.07. Caleb Williams, Chris Godwin and Kenny Gainwell round out the board at $0.05 apiece.
The pricing reflects both expected workload and matchup dynamics. Swift has been Chicago’s most prolific touchdown producer, but the Buccaneers bring the league’s top-ranked rushing defense into this contest, which could force the Bears to lean more heavily on their passing attack.
Bears Pick: Luther Burden III at $0.09
Burden has emerged as Caleb Williams’ preferred target in the passing game, and this matchup sets up well for that connection to matter early. With Tampa Bay’s run defense presenting a formidable obstacle, Chicago may need to move the ball through the air more than usual, increasing Burden’s opportunities to find the end zone.
At $0.09, Burden offers a reasonable return for a player who has become a central figure in the Bears’ aerial approach. While Swift remains the headliner in the touchdown market, the difficulty he could face on the ground makes Burden an appealing alternative for first touchdown consideration.
Buccaneers Pick: Bucky Irving at $0.13
Irving was the engine of Tampa Bay’s offense in Week 8, carrying the ball for 170 yards and a score in a game played in torrential rain that saw the Buccaneers fail to complete a pass. That performance underscored his importance to the offense and his nose for the end zone.
There is a possibility that Tampa Bay looks to manage Irving’s workload after such a heavy carry total, but he remains arguably the most reliable piece of the Buccaneers’ offensive arsenal. At $0.13, Irving is the most likely Tampa Bay player to score first and a strong candidate to open the scoring overall.
Other Names to Consider
Loveland joins Burden at $0.09, giving the Bears another pass-catching option with a realistic path to the first touchdown. Odunze at $0.08 is also worth monitoring, while Egbuka and Johnson at $0.07 represent deeper plays. On the Tampa Bay side, Godwin and Gainwell are priced at $0.05, making them speculative but not implausible choices.
The gap between Swift and the rest of the field is notable, but the matchup context suggests the Bears may not be able to rely on their running game as heavily as they have in previous weeks. That makes the mid-tier passing options more attractive than their prices might indicate.
Final Thoughts on Sunday Night Football
First touchdown markets reward finding value beyond the obvious favorite. Burden’s growing role and Tampa Bay’s run defense make him a compelling pick at $0.09, while Irving’s recent form and central role in the Buccaneers’ offense justify his $0.13 price. Both offer a balanced approach to the Bears vs. Buccaneers first touchdown market for Sunday Night Football.
