NFL Week 1 5-Leg Parlay: Best Picks for Sunday's Games at +2125 odds
At long last, the 2026 NFL season is finally here. The quest for Super Bowl 60 began on Wednesday, as Seattle defeated New England thanks to some ill-timed interceptions from Drake Maye, and then the 49ers dispatched the Rams in Australia on Friday. Finally, we have arrived at this massive Sunday slate of games as the season starts in earnest this weekend.
With the 2026 campaign officially underway, let’s get right into my NFL Week 1 parlay that pays out at over 21/1 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, and don't forget our NFL predictions for tips and analysis on every game throughout the season.
Lions -6.5 (-122)
Texans ML (-104)
Jets ML (+100)
Eagles -5.5 (-110)
Cowboys ML (-158)
NFL Week 1 parlay odds: +2125
NFL Parlay Pick: Detroit Lions -6.5 (-122) over New Orleans Saints
This is a fascinating matchup on paper. There is some skepticism surrounding the Lions following their disappointing season in 2025, and when you pair that with the Saints rise over the last two months of the campaign, there's an argument to be made for New Orleans to keep this one close in Week 1. However, I’m completely fine with selling the flashes of productivity we saw from Tyler Shough and the Saints offense down the stretch due to the lackluster opponents on their schedule. Detroit is the healthiest its been in quite some time, and Jared Goff and company have routinely won and covered spreads as a home favorite under Dan Campbell. Let’s roll with that trend once again on Sunday.
Grab our expert’s best bets for NFL Week 1
NFL Parlay Pick: Houston Texans ML (-104) over Buffalo Bills
The Texans defense could be the best in the NFL, and they have given Josh Allen fits over the course of his career. Not only is the Bills superstar quarterback just 1-4 SU against the Texans, he has never won a game in Houston. With that in mind, it’s hard to expect Buffalo’s offense to suddenly break that trend against a defense of this caliber. Conversely, the Bills run defense has major holes and given the fact that the Texans offensive line appears to be trending in an upward direction, we can expect Houston to run the ball at a slightly better clip this season. If the Texans can get anything positive on the ground, this offense should be much improved. I'll add Houston as the second leg of this parlay.
NFL Parlay Pick: New York Jets ML (+100) over Tennessee Titans
The Jets are typically a laughingstock and at the bottom of the AFC East, but I’m cautiously optimistic about New York heading into the season. Call me crazy, but Geno Smith at least provides some semblance of competency at the quarterback position for a team that is starving for decent QB play. Much like we've seen in recent seasons, the defense should be an above-average unit provided it stays healthy. Additionally, this leg of our parlay is a complete fade of Cam Ward and a Titans team that I expect to be among the worst in the AFC for yet another season. Let's take the Jets as small 'dogs on the road in this one.
Don't miss our NFL expert’s best anytime touchdown scorer bets for Week 1
NFL Parlay Pick: Philadelphia Eagles -5.5 (-110) over Washington Commanders
Following a Super Bowl in 2024, the Eagles ended last season on a sour note, bowing out in the playoffs to the 49ers in ignominious fashion at home. After a refresh in the offseason and the departure of AJ Brown, Philadelphia projects to be improved on offense under new OC Sean Mannion this fall. On the other side, the Eagles defense is among the very best in the league and that gives this team such a high floor this season. At home in Week 1 against a Washington Commanders side that has already dealt with a ton of injuries and adversity in training camp, it's hard for me to see Philadelphia having much trouble with its division rivals. Lay the points with the Eagles.
Catch our full Commanders vs Eagles prediction
NFL Parlay Pick: Dallas Cowboys ML (-158) over New York Giants
The Cowboys have routinely owned this series for years, and I have a hard time seeing Dak Prescott and company suddenly dropping a season-opening game against their division rivals on Sunday. New York has a few players to be excited about on the defensive line, but I still have significant questions with this Giants secondary and that’s not a position you want to be in against CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens — one of the best wide receiver duos in the game. If New York gets behind in this game, I have a hard time believing that Jaxson Dart and this offense will be able to keep up with a Dallas offense that is among the best in football. When we consider the significant upgrades the Cowboys made to their defense in the offseason, the gap only seems to widen between these teams. Divisional home underdogs have been profitable in Week 1 historically, but I’m bucking that trend with a wager on the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
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