There are a lot of unknowns heading into any NFL season. From a sports betting standpoint, going with the Under and backing home underdogs were a good way to go. 

That wasn’t the cast last season. There were six home dogs in Week 1 of 2023, and only two of them covered the number (33%). The previous two years, home dogs were 11-6 (64.7%). 

The Under, however, more than made up for it. The Under finished a massive 12-4 (75%) in Week 1. Barely to be outdone last year was the underdog, who went 10-6 ATS for a solid 62.5% mark. 

Bookies.com NFL handicapper Adam Thompson has his finger on the pulse of the NFL. Thompson has hit on 62-64% of his  NFL best bets in each of the last three years. Here are his two parlays for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season:

Intriguing NFL Week 1 Parlays

Odds are current as of publication but subject to change. For the most updated NFL odds, please check the betting apps.

The “Back Those Dogs” Parlay

Leg 1: Steelers +3.5 over Falcons

The Falcons’ offense is going to be good this season. But in Week 1? Kirk Cousins hasn’t done much of anything this offseason and Kyle Pitts is already banged up as the top-tier Steelers defense comes to town. On the flip side, Pittsburgh’s best-case scenario is a 17-14 type of win. Expect a slow but effective pace for the Steelers. 

Leg 2: Raiders +3 over Chargers 

Las Vegas has an issue at QB, but not an issue on defense, and it should have the ability to slow down Justin Herbert and his new slate of targets with Jim Harbaugh’s offense still in the learning process. The Raiders at home can hang, and we might even get a little Week 1 Minshew Magic. 

Leg 3: Jets +4.5 over 49ers 

The Jets have everything needed to contend for a Super Bowl, led by a defense that could be the best in the league vs. the pass and a strong front seven to go with it. Aaron Rodgers’ is the biggest question mark – if A-Rod is the biggest question, that’s a good spot to be in. The Niners had a rough preseason with issues on the O-line and questions across the defense. San Fran will be fine, but the Jets can surprise. 

The “Under Ground” Parlay

Leg 1: Steelers-Falcons Under 42.5

Pittsburgh will slow this down and grind it out as much as possible. Atlanta is just getting started with a new QB who didn’t play all preseason, and a new coach to work with, and is going against a strong Steelers D with a healthy TJ Watt. Scoring will be at a premium. 

Leg 2: Cardinals-Bills Under 47.5

Kyler Murray will be working with all sorts of new parts, and this Cardinals offense should be good eventually. But Week 1, in Buffalo, with a lineup full of rookies? It should take a week to get adjusted. Meanwhile, the Arizona defense will not be good, but Josh Allen has nobody left to get the ball to. Expect growing pains for the Bills, too. 

Leg 3: Panthers-Saints Under 42

Carolina’s top offensive priority was to find a way to help Bryce Young. The O-line was improved, but Chuba Hubbard, Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo isn’t enough yet. New Orleans has Chris Olave, but it’s still Alvin Kamara in the backfield. The defenses should be slightly better than the offenses in Week 1.