NFL Week 1 Can’t-Miss Parlay: 3 bets you can count on

Assessing the 3 best parlay bet options for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. Lock-in these wagers to maximize your payday.

The 2021 NFL season got off to a flying start Thursday night as Tom Brady and the defending-champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers outduel Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys.

Even if you missed on the Cowboys cover or the over, which flew past the total in the third quarter, there remain plenty of other prime Week 1 wagering opportunities with 15 games remaining. Here’s a three-leg, can’t-miss parlay to give your NFL bankroll an opening-week boost …

Also see: Week 1 best bets

NFL can’t miss parlay: Week 1

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:05 a.m. ET.

Leg 1: San Francisco 49ers -8.5 (-110) at Detroit Lions

At 6-10 in 2020, the Niners only won one more game than the Lions, but the franchises have been moving in opposite directions ever since. Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s crew in San Francisco has almost all of its primary players, including QB Jimmy Garoppolo, TE George Kittle and defensive standout Nick Bosa back and healthy after enduring the league’s worst injury situation in 2020.

They’ve also added some intriguing new pieces in rookie QB Trey Lance and RB Trey Sermon, making Shanahan’s daunting offensive schemes even more dangerous and unpredictable heading into Week 1’s clean slate.

The Lions, meanwhile, downgraded quarterbacks in trading longtime starter Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff, questionably handed over the squad to a quirky and unproven head coach in Dan Campbell and didn’t do nearly enough to shore up a defense that was scorched for the most average points (32.4) and total yards (419.8) per game in 2020.

Take the reinvigorated 49ERS and don’t fret over laying the 8.5 points on the road.

Also see: 49ers-Lions picks and predictions

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Leg 2: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots UNDER 43.5 (-110)

Two young quarterbacks, including Pats rookie Mac Jones making his first start.

Two coaching staffs who know each other very well, including Patriots-defensive-coordinator-turned-Dolphins-head-coach Brian Flores.

Two above-average defenses, including the reinforced and revitalized Pats.

Two 2020 matchups that produced totals of 32 and 34 points.

We’re going with the UNDER 43.5 (-110).

Also see: Dolphins-Patriots picks and predictions

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Leg 3: Denver Broncos -3.5 (+105) at New York Giants

Both teams finished among the league’s bottom 12 a season ago, but the Broncos look to have made the most significant offseason strides.

The Giants’ injury-wracked offense, featuring turnover-prone QB Daniel Jones and one of the league’s worst offensive lines, looks to be overmatched against an improved Denver D returning Von Miller and featuring what looks to be one of the league’s elite secondaries.

So, if new QB Teddy Bridgewater can just bring a steady hand to the team’s talented young offense, the BRONCOS shouldn’t have too much trouble covering a road spread of 3.5 points (-135).

Also see: Broncos-Giants picks and predictions

Total parlay payout

Bet $100 to win $647.14

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing the San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions Week 1 odds and lines, with expert NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

The Detroit Lions host the San Francisco 49ers for their Week 1 regular season openers at Ford Field with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the 49ers at Lions odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.

San Francisco’s 2020 season was your standard “Super Bowl loser curse” as the 49ers finished 6-10 due in large part to a plethora of injuries to their starting lineup. San Francisco had by far the most adjusted games lost to injury, according to Football Outsiders.

Detroit moves into a new era after parting ways with head coach Matt Patricia and granting Matthew Stafford’s trade request by sending him to the Los Angeles Rams for QB Jared Goff and draft capital.

The Lions finished in the cellar of the NFC North with a 5-11 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

49ers at Lions odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11:16 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: 49ers -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Lions +330 (bet $100 to win $330)
  • Against the spread (ATS): 49ers -8.5 (-112) | Lions +8.5 (-108)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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49ers at Lions key injuries

49ers

  • DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) doubtful
  • CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee) doubtful

Lions

  • LT Taylor Decker (finger) out
  • DE Michael Brockers (shoulder) questionable

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Use code SBW21 to take 20% OFF a new subscription. Join now!

49ers at Lions odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

49ers 24, Lions 20

Money line

PASS with a slight “lean” to the Lions (+330) because I love the value with their spread and, generally like to sprinkle on an underdog’s money line when taking them plus points.

Against the spread

Everyone and their grandmother is betting the 49ers -8.5, adding their money line as an odds booster to their parlay and teasing San Francisco down to a better number.

However, it’s typically profitable fading lopsided betting markets and heavy favorites in the NFL, especially early in the season. It’s rare that a road team is favored more than a touchdown in Week 1.

Road teams getting at least 7.5 points in Week 1 are 3-1 ATS since 2011, and the pricing makes the 49ers-Lions contest comparable to those games. Each contest pitted a preseason Super Bowl-favorite against a team expected to finish in the basement of the NFL standings. This spot is no different.

However, I have a hunch new Detroit head coach Dan Campbell will have his guys ready to play in Week 1. Campbell has a completely different vibe than Patricia and he’ll rally the Lions around the “nobody believes in us” narrative.

I’m skeptical San Francisco’s regains its defensive form from 2019 because the secondary is older and thinner and former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was hired for head coaching vacancy with the New York Jets. Detroit’s offensive line has some talent and can keep Goff upright long enough for the Lions to have success on offense.

GIMME the LIONS +8.5 (-108) for 1 unit.

Over/Under

Slight “LEAN” to the UNDER 45.5 (-105) for a one-third unit since my predicted score isn’t that far off of Tipico’s listed total.

I’m expecting San Francisco to struggle a tad out of the gate offensively because it’ll need to knock the rust off since QB Jimmy Garoppolo and many of his weapons missed most of last year with injuries.

If 49ers-Lions is as one-sided as the market action then UNDER 45.5 (-105) could serve as a slight hedge for our Detroit wager if San Francisco dominates. The 49ers ranked 25th and 29th in pace over the past two seasons, according to Football Outsiders.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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