NFL Betting: Regular Season Rushing Touchdown Leader Update

Seriously, who doesn't love a season-long NFL future based around touchdowns?

With plenty of high-velocity runners in the current game, the annual race to score the most rushing touchdowns always gets the blood pumping. Fortunately, FanDuel Sportsbook has you covered. There, Miami Dolphins tailback Raheem Mostert has the shortest odds to score the most rushing touchdowns in 2023-24 at +260.

In 2022, the market winner here was the affable Jamaal Williams with 17 rushing touchdowns. Of course, that was when Williams was with the Detroit Lions. He is now a member for the New Orleans Saints, having played in just six games this season.

Out west, San Francisco 49ers do-it-all halfback Christian McCaffrey is having a campaign for the ages. CMC has scored more total touchdowns than any other player in 2023, but in terms of rushing tugs, he is slightly behind Mostert right now.

Prior to NFL Week 11 (which begins with the Bengals at Ravens on Thursday Night Football), let's dig into the latest lines at FanDuel Sportsbook, keeping an eye on which players have value to lead the league in rushing touchdowns.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

NFL Rushing Touchdown Leaders

Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +260

As one of the biggest benefactors of Miami's high-speed offensive scheme, Raheem Mostert has already rushed for 11 scores in 2023 -- which paces the NFL -- on just 109 attempts (10.1% TD rate). Simply, there has only been two games this season wherein Mostert did not run for a touchdown: Week 4 and Week 7.

After the first three games of the season, Mostert's rushing TD total was already at six. Through that early span, the speedy halfback was on the field for 65.7% of the Dolphins' offensive snaps. However, his usage rate has dwindled some, falling to 55% in that category over the most recent three contests.

Mostert has two things propelling him in this market: his own world class speed and the presence of prolific receivers in Miami. At 21.62 MPH, Mostert has logged the fifth-fastest ball-carrier speed this season, which came on an electrifying 43-yard touchdown run versus the New England Patriots in Week 2.

11 TDs on the ground in 2023 is already a personal-best for Mostert. Still, with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle flanking him in formations, opposing teams will not be able to stack the tackle box when playing the 'Fins. That should result in favorable opportunities out of the backfield for Mostert.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +350

As noted, Christian McCaffrey is having a year of historic proportions -- especially when it comes to getting the rock over the goal line.

I am sure you've already heard, but McCaffrey just tied the all-time NFL record of consecutive games with a touchdown (17). However, his chance to break that record was thwarted last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars; CMC failed to find the end zone in a game for the first time since November 2022. Keep in mind, though: many of those scores came from receptions.

The Stanford alum seems to love playing football back in the Bay Area. In the introduction, I mentioned that CMC is leading the NFL in total touchdowns (as well as rushing yards) at the moment, having scored 15 times in 2023. However, for the sake of this piece, we are focussing on rushing touchdowns only, to which he has nine this year. Since joining San Francisco last season, McCaffrey has ran for 15 TDs in 20 total regular season contests.

McCaffrey -- just two rushing scores behind Mostert right now -- is in a solid spot to do something has has never done before: lead the NFL in touchdowns on the ground. In 2023, he is averaging 17 carries per game, topping out at 22 attempts in Week 1. I'd say there are currently no signs of McCaffrey slowing down.

Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +600

As our first quarterback on FanDuel Sportsbook's odds board in this market, Jalen Hurts once again has the Philadelphia Eagles as conference favorites (where the Birds show +220 to win the NFC). Naturally, much of Philly's success on offense is driven by Hurts' ability to run the ball, especially in the red zone.

With seven rushing scores in 2023, Hurts is tied with Josh Allen for most ground touchdowns among signal-callers this year. Additionally, Hurts and Allen are the only two quarterbacks to be currently leading their respective teams in that category. Of course, Hurts and his massive offensive line have been nearly automatic with the "Brotherly Shove" on the goal line.

Hurts was also a prolific rusher in 2022 when he was named as AP MVP runner-up. Through that campaign, the dual-threat quarterback ran in 13 scores with his legs, which is his career-high.

With eight contests left this season, Hurts has potential to go above that mark. However, to cash this market in 2023, the player will likely need north of 15 scores.

David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +750

Despite missing three games this year due to injury, Detroit tailback David Montgomery is still among the 2023 leaders for rushing touchdowns. Montgomery has found the end zone seven times in only six games played. If the burley halfback can stay healthy for the remainder of the season, does he stand a shot to cash this market?

As a team, the Lions have the fourth-most rushing TDs this season. Also, Detroit is the sixth-best scoring offensive at 26.8 PPG. Still, there is an elephant in head coach Dan Campbell's running back room; rookie tailback Jahmyr Gibbs is warranting his share of carries for Motor City.

Given those two factors (injuries and the presence of Gibbs), Montgomery has seen his workload fluctuate drastically. Three separate games this year have seen Montgomery on the field for over 70% of offensive snaps. In his other three appearances this year, he has been on the field for less than half of Detroit's plays on offense.

Montgomery returned from a rib injury last week and logged only 12 carries on 25 snaps. However, one of those carries was a 75-yard romp to the end zone. If he can get his opportunities back up, Montgomery should stand a chance in this market.

Longshots

• Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (+900)
• Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (+1000)
• Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills (+1000)
• Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (+1400)
• Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks (+1400)

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.