NFL Week 5 Thursday Night Football Anytime Touchdown Bets: Michael Pittman Jr., Nyheim Hines, more

• Bet Colts WR Michael Pittman anytime TD at Broncos (+190): With other weapons running out, bet on the Colts' top receiver to find end the zone.

• Bet Colts RB Nyheim Hines anytime TD (+165): Matt Ryan has 74.2 grade between 0-9 yards, where he's completed over 78% and thrown three touchdowns. That's Hines' wheelhouse.

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Last updated: Wed. Oct. 5, 5:34 p.m.

Estimated reading time: 3 mins

With the total set at around 42, the Denver Broncos hosting the Indianapolis Colts doesn’t profile as a high-scoring affair. The Colts are without star running back Jonathan Taylor this week as he nurses an ankle injury on a short week. The Broncos also are without starting running back Javonte Williams, who was lost for the season with a gruesome knee injury. 

Someone will have to score a touchdown in this one, though. Here, we’ll try to parse through it all. 

Bet: Colts WR Michael Pittman anytime TD (+190 ON BETMGM)

• There’s Nothing Left: The Colts offense was dreadful with Taylor in the lineup, and now without him, there are even fewer weapons. The Broncos defense, of course, will recognize this and look to shut Pittman down, but quarterback Matt Ryan will target him with enough passes to potentially score. Pittman does face a solid Broncos secondary, including PFF's 26th-ranked cornerback Ronald Darby, who’s allowed fewer than 100 total receiving yards this year, with a coverage grade of 64.8. The options are wearing thin in Indianapolis.

Bet: Colts RB Nyheim Hines anytime TD (+165 ON DRAFTKINGS)

• Because Matt Ryan is QB: It’s crazy to think Pittman has worse odds to score than Hines, but it makes some sense. Ryan has been far from a successful quarterback this season, with a passing grade under 60.0. However, he has a 74.2 grade when passing between 0-9 yards, where he's completed over 78% and thrown three touchdowns. Of all his attempts, Ryan throws behind the line of scrimmage or up to nine yards 61% of the time. With Taylor out, Hines will get more work and is known as a receiving back. Against a stout Broncos secondary, this could be where Ryan looks often.