NFL Parlays & Picks: Best Bets for Week 1 (2025)
We’re gearing up for the return of the NFL, which features the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFL Kickoff game on Thursday Night Football. The lengthy offseason is officially done, with all 53-man rosters finalized ahead of this Week 1 slate.
There are still a few days to find the best available value in NFL betting markets. In this article, we’ll construct two NFL early week parlays. One parlay will include player props, while the other parlay will feature game props.
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NFL Early Week Parlays: Week 1
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Parlay 1 (+461)
Leg 1: Marvin Harrison Jr. O 4.5 Receptions (-130)
Arizona draws a good matchup on the road against the New Orleans Saints to kickoff their 2025 regular season schedule. Kyler Murray has two targets he leans on within the Cardinals’ offense, including second-year wideout, Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison bulked up this offseason, adding muscle onto his frame, likely in an attempt to bounce back after a sub-par outing during his rookie year in 2024. I anticipate Murray will feed his WR1 at least eight targets, especially during the first few drives to settle into a rhythm within third-year OC Drew Petzing’s offense.
The Saints were middle of the pack in terms of their pass defense last season. It’s a new era with head coach Kellen Moore, likely prioritizing the development of its offense in 2025.
Harrison logged five or more receptions in seven games last year. Let’s bank on the Cardinals’ WR1 to feast on volume in this matchup and sail over 4.5 receptions for the first leg of this NFL player prop parlay.
Leg 2: Joe Burrow 250+ Passing Yards (-160)
Joe Burrow enters 2025 as one of the top five NFL MVP betting favorites. He’ll lead the Cincinnati Bengals on the road to face a division rival that have made things tough for the franchise quarterback during his tenure.
The Cleveland Browns have All-Pro edge rusher, Myles Garrett, waiting to greet Burrow in Week 1. The Bengals did make some upgrades along their offensive line, while extending Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to lock up their elite wide receiving corps tandem.
Burrow went way under 250 passing yards on the road against the Browns last season. Then, in their second matchup, he got just enough to clear 250 passing yards. The Browns’ secondary has talent but Cincinnati is a pass-centric offense.
There will be enough opportunity for Burrow to launch a few deep balls and connect with either Chase, Higgins, or TE Mike Gesicki. Let’s insert Burrow at 250+ passing yards on an alternate line, avoiding his full game line set to 263.5 by laying a bit of juice at -160.
Leg 3: Jahmyr Gibbs Any Time Touchdown Scorer (-105)
Detroit will no longer have former OC Ben Johnson calling plays but that doesn’t mean star running back Jahmyr Gibbs won’t continue his hyper-productive pace in 2025. Gibbs and the Lions will travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers for another Week 1 division rivalry game.
Gibbs is only listed at -105 to score a touchdown in the Any Time Touchdown Scorer betting market. This feels a bit fishy, considering his 20 scrimmage touchdowns recorded in 2024.
Green Bay did add edge rusher Micah Parsons via trade, so these favorable odds could be indicative of that transaction. The Lions’ RB1 enters the third year of his career with a lot of confidence and experience, so Parsons and the rest of the Packers’ defensive line shouldn’t phase him on any part of the field.
Gibbs scored a touchdown, including one as a receiver, in both games against the Packers last season. Let’s finish this three-leg NFL parlay with Gibbs to score a touchdown at a high-value price.
Parlay 2 (+504)
Leg 1: Panthers +3 (-110)
Carolina will open their 2025 schedule on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. These are two young teams with a lot of moves made to upgrade their offenses this offseason, which should lead to an exciting interconference matchup.
Bryce Young had strong development during his second season in the NFL. The arrival of head coach Dave Canales helped a lot. Now, Young has a top-ten draft pick at wideout, Tetairoa McMillan, along with RB Chuba Hubbard coming off of a solid 2024 campaign.
This game is a battle between former Tampa Bay offensive coordinators. Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen was the Bucs’ OC following Canales’ departure to Carolina. It’s only fitting that they face each other in Week 1.
Two of the league’s worst defenses should result in a back-and-forth shootout. Young has an upgraded interior offensive line unit that should help him buy time to find his preferred targets. Hubbard should keep the Jaguars’ defense on its heels as well.
The Panthers are getting +3 on the road against Jacksonville. Let’s grab the points and back Young in an offense with more continuity than the rebuild that the Jaguars underwent this offseason.
Leg 2: Cardinals vs. Saints U 42.5 (-115)
New Orleans is expected to be the worst team in the NFL this season. Head coach Kellen Moore named QB Spencer Rattler as the starter heading into a Week 1 home game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals got off to a 6-4 start in 2024 before losing five of their last seven games to miss the playoffs. QB Kyler Murray has WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Trey McBride to lean on in the passing attack, however, the Saints’ pass defense ranked 15th in completions allowed last season.
Rattler will likely struggle to move the football downfield. Arizona’s defense was underrated under head coach Jonathan Gannon in 2024, finishing 15th in opponents points allowed per game. Many additions were made to the Cardinals’ defense this offseason.
I expect points to be at a premium in this game. Let’s bet under 42.5 total points between the Cardinals and Saints at -115 for the second leg of our NFL game props parlay.