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The 2024 NFL season is brand new. Hope springs eternal for all 32 teams. Everybody has a new look of some sort. Some have more impressive upgrades than others. Some have exciting high-round draft picks or big-ticket free agents, while a few feature a new coaches.
On the flip side, there are some teams that lost some talent, while not necessarily replacing them with equal or better parts. We saw snippets in the preseason, but it’s often tough to figure out what a team will be when the starters just get a cameo, and often times the entire starting 11 never plays together in a game situation until Week 1.
We can best assess things from past history, and what teams look like on paper, until we actually see the product on the field in the regular season. Even then, things can change drastically in the blink of an eye. Just ask the New York Jets, who had everything built around QB Aaron Rodgers, only to lose him to a ruptured Achilles tendon after just 5 plays last season in a Monday night opener.
After looking at FanDuel Sportsbook’s NFL Week 1 odds, here is our “Winner winner chicken dinner” NFL parlay bet to cash in on among SportbookWire’s NFL expert picks and predictions.
I am very excited to produce this column on a regular basis after serving as a pinch-hitter and fill-in previously. Ever since I was a kid — filling out those cards my dad would bring home from work where you circle the numbers of the winners you want, rip it off at the perforation and then sit on the couch and cross your fingers — I’ve been hooked on parlays.
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Winner winner chicken dinner NFL parlay
WEEK 1
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:40 a.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.
Leg 1: SAINTS -3.5 (-118) vs. Panthers – 1 p.m. (FOX)
Last season, fading the Carolina Panthers was a very successful strategy. They started out 1-8-2 against the spread (ATS) in the first 11 games, before righting the ship somewhat, and finishing a respectable 3-3 ATS in the final 6 games.
However, one of those final 6 games was the Panthers’ last trip to New Orleans, a 28-6 loss in Week 14 as 5.5-point underdogs. Carolina QB Bryce Young was a dismal 13-of-36 for 137 yards with 0 TDs and no picks. On a positive note, Carolina ran for 204 yards, but it also lost 2 fumbles.
The Caesars Superdome has been a nightmare for the Panthers over the years, with the Saints winning 4 of the past 5 meetings, save for a meaningless Week 18 game in the 2022-23 season. When favored by 4 or more points, New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in the past 5 meetings with Carolina, too.
Look for the SAINTS to get out to a big start in front of their raucous and unique home fans.
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Leg 2: DOLPHINS -3.5 (-104) vs. Jaguars – 1 p.m. (CBS)
The Miami Dolphins are going to have an explosive offense as long as their fat wallets don’t slow them down. QB Tua Tagovailoa, as well as WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, signed lucrative contract extensions. The pass-catch triumvirate are certainly going to be in high spirits heading into the new campaign.
In addition to the pass game, which also added big-ticket TE Jonnu Smith, who starred at nearby Florida International University, the Dolphins have RBs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. The latter had 18 rushing TDs and 21 combined scores to lead the NFL a year ago. Meanwhile, Achane had 800 rushing yards in just 11 games, while piercing the end zone 8 times on the ground, and another 3 times through the air.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will have a difficult time containing Miami’s high-octane offense, and it’s uncertain if QB Trevor Lawrence and the Jags offense have enough firepower to keep up in a potential shootout.
WR Christian Kirk is expected to practice this week, after missing time with a calf injury, but it’s a bad sign when WR1 is also a bit of a question mark. WR Gabe Davis was added, and the Jags have a stud TE Evan Engram, too. However, while Jacksonville has RB Travis Etienne, it is nowhere near as deep on offense.
Perhaps the biggest concern for Jacksonville is LB Foyesade Oluokun. The tackling machine signed an extension in the offseason, but he has been dealing with an undisclosed injury. S Daniel Thomas is battling a foot injury, and DL Arik Armstead has a knee injury. The Jags need all hands on deck, and even that won’t be enough.
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Leg 3: RAIDERS +3 (-105) at Chargers – 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
The Raiders head into this game with a lot of potential. I like the fact coach Antonio Pierce settled on QB Gardner Minshew II as his starter over the erratic QB Aidan O’Connell. We could get a little “Minshew Magic” right off the bat in Week 1.
This is a big deal, as the Chargers turn to former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, fresh off a national championship. Bolts fans are hoping he can take this team to similar heights, but it won’t be easy.
Meanwhile, Chargers QB Justin Herbert is dealing with plantar fasciitis in the right foot, and that’s an ominous start. If you’ve ever had it, rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle is your best part of the day, taking your mind off of sometimes excruciating pain. It isn’t really something that goes away quickly, and without rest. He’ll no-doubt be wearing some sort of high-tech orthotic in his cleats to ease the pain and make things manageable, but it isn’t a great situation.
Herbert also saw RB Austin Ekeler head to the Washington Commanders, WR Keenan Allen go to the Chicago Bears in a trade and WR Mike Williams land with the New York Jets. TE Gerald Everett is with Chicago now, too. Those are several security blankets gone.
The Raiders appear to have a lot fewer questions, and they still have WR Davante Adams and up-and-comer RB Zamir White, as well as rookie TE Brock Bowers on offense. This Vegas team is primed and ready for a big start against the new-look Bolts.
Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $60.75 (payout = $70.75).
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