49ers vs Rams First Touchdown Scorer Props for TNF

49ers vs Rams Touchdown Scorer Picks

De'Zhaun Stribling First Touchdown

De'Zhaun Stribling's path to the end zone runs through head coach Kyle Shanahan's long-standing habit of feeding a new weapon an early scripted target, and everything from training camp suggests the 49ers' staff trusts him more than a standard WR3 role would imply.

Stribling drew 13 targets across two preseason games and posted PFF's top offensive grade of the entire rookie class at 90.0.

He's officially cleared his shoulder injury with zero mention on this week's injury report, which matters, because his skill set is built for exactly this kind of angle. At 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, he wins with size and body control on contested catches rather than pure separation, which translates directly to fades and back-shoulder throws inside the 10-yard line.

Stribling will likely see snaps against Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson from L.A.'s secondary, a matchup where his physicality plays up.

With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel drawing extra attention, Shanahan has both the incentive and the personnel package to get Stribling a look early, and QB Brock Purdy has already been raving about their rapport-building all camp.

Terrance Ferguson First Touchdown

Terrance Ferguson isn't a conventional in-line tight end anymore.

He ran 71.6% of his snaps last year out of the slot or split wide, and his 18.3 average depth of target led all tight ends in the league, meaning Rams head coach Sean McVay is scheming him for shot plays, not checkdowns. That profile is a direct product of scheme.

With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams commanding safety help, Ferguson works matchups against linebackers and nickel defenders rather than true coverage tight ends, which is precisely the mismatch a defense concedes on early downs.

He also carries a track record here. Ferguson ranked third among FBS tight ends in red-zone touchdowns over his final two years at Oregon, and the Rams' passing offense has specifically struggled to finish red-zone trips without a big-bodied difference-maker like him.

So, while Nacua, Adams, and Kyren Williams get all the attention, the true end-zone threat for Los Angeles is Terrance Ferguson.

Brock Purdy First Touchdown

The case for Brock Purdy is about scheme, not arm talent.

He's scored 11 rushing touchdowns in 45 career starts, which equates to nearly a touchdown every four games. Even in an injury-shortened 2025, he still found the end zone three times on the ground with an elite 83.3 PFF rushing grade, 4th among qualified quarterbacks.

Shanahan has shown he'll call a sneak in short yardage rather than force a contested throw, and that's especially relevant tonight.

Myles Garrett is making his Rams debut, and the smartest way to neutralize an elite pass rusher on a crucial early series is to stay on schedule with the run and let Purdy finish it himself rather than testing him in obvious passing situations.

The pressure from the Rams' defensive front will also increase Purdy's likelihood to scramble in goal-to-go situations.

If the 49ers lean on ball control early, a Purdy sneak from a yard or two out is a live, low-risk way for this offense to draw first blood.