Do Anytime & First Touchdown Bets Include Passing TDs? Quarterback Rules for TD Props

No, anytime TDs do not include passing TDs.

Anytime touchdown bets are awarded to the player who crosses the goal line with the ball or catches it in the end zone. At FanDuel, their definition of an anytime TD scorer is "any player who carries or receives the ball in the end zone." The same is true for first TD scorer.

That means if you bet a quarterback and he throws a touchdown pass, you will not win that bet. He needs to run the ball in to be considered an anytime touchdown scorer.

Let’s take a closer look at how these bets work and what types of touchdowns actually qualify.

How Anytime TDs Work

An anytime touchdown (ATD) bet lets you wager on a player to score a touchdown at any point in the game. It’s a popular prop because it’s simple to understand and offers solid value when you know how teams use their top weapons.

A player can score an anytime TD in two ways: by running the ball into the end zone (rushing touchdown) or by catching a pass in the end zone (receiving touchdown). Passing touchdowns don’t count, since the quarterback is not the one physically scoring.

Most anytime TD odds are set based on a player’s likelihood to score. You’ll often find running backs and top receivers listed at shorter odds (sometimes in the negatives), while others sit at plus money. Factors like offensive volume, red zone usage, recent form, and the matchup all influence how sportsbooks price these props.

Knowing how each type of touchdown is scored gives you better context for why certain players (especially quarterbacks) have higher odds.

Passing Touchdowns Don’t Count for Anytime TD Bets

If a quarterback throws a touchdown pass, the receiver gets the credit, not the passer. So if Patrick Mahomes throws a touchdown to Travis Kelce, only Kelce counts as the anytime TD scorer.

Quarterbacks only qualify if they run the ball in themselves or, in rare cases, catch a touchdown on a trick play. Those receiving touchdowns are extremely uncommon, which is why QB anytime TD odds are usually so high.

Why Are QBs Priced So Low?

When looking at the options for an anytime touchdown scorer at any sportsbook, you'll note that quarterbacks are generally low on the list with high odds.

So why would the position that handles the ball every play have high odds of scoring a touchdown? The quarterback would need to carry the ball into the end zone — or catch on a trick play— himself to earn the credit.

There are of course quarterbacks who score on the ground more frequently than others. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen will often be priced around +150, while a pocket-passer like Geno Smith or Jared Goff will be around +600 to score on the ground.

Take Allen for example, who heading into Week 8 of 2022 against the Packers was priced at +120. This is because it's always plausible Allen will run the ball in when the Bills are near the goal line. He had racked up 33 rushing scores in his career to that point.

But if Allen's passing touchdowns were included, he'd be priced around -1000.

Jalen Hurts is next in line at +150 against the Steelers. He'd tallied 19 rushing touchdowns throughout parts of three seasons. It then drops to Kyler Murray at +210 before Daniel Jones at +250 (Patrick Mahomes is on a bye).

From there, bettors may want to consider another position for their player prop outside the few quarterbacks that at least present some probability.

How Touchdowns Are Scored in Football

Touchdowns may all be worth six points on the scoreboard, but how they’re scored matters when you’re betting player props. As mentioned earlier, sportsbooks assign touchdown credit to the player who actually carries or catches the ball in the end zone, not the one who throws it.

Here’s how each type of touchdown is recorded:

Recent QB Touchdown Leaders

If you’re wondering why quarterback anytime TD odds are usually so long, take a look at the numbers below. Passing touchdowns clearly dominate the stat sheet, while rushing scores are far less common, and receiving touchdowns happen only on rare trick plays.

Dual-threat quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, and Cam Newton have been the exceptions, regularly scoring with their legs in goal-line situations. Most others rely almost entirely on passing production, which doesn’t count toward anytime TD bets.

Receiving touchdowns for QBs, meanwhile, are extremely rare, typically the result of gadget plays where the quarterback lines up as a receiver. Make sure to keep this in mind when evaluating NFL props, since only a small handful of quarterbacks truly pose a rushing threat each season.

FAQs

Do Anytime Touchdown Bets Include Passing Touchdowns?

No. Passing touchdowns don’t count toward Anytime TD bets. Only the player who carries or catches the ball in the end zone is credited as the scorer.

Can a Quarterback Win an Anytime TD Bet?

Yes, but only if he scores himself, usually by running the ball into the end zone. A quarterback doesn’t earn credit for throwing a touchdown pass.

Do Defensive or Special Teams Touchdowns Count for Anytime TD Bets?

They can, depending on the sportsbook. If you bet on a specific defensive or special teams player who scores (like a fumble return or punt return), it typically counts, but team-level bets usually don’t apply.

What’s the Difference Between Anytime TD and First TD Bets?

An Anytime TD bet pays if your player scores at any point in the game. A First TD bet only wins if that player scores the very first touchdown.