The NFL season is finally here! After months of waiting, speculating, and hoping your team’s star player doesn’t get hurt, it’s here! We have NFL lines. We have game lines against the spread, Moneylines, and even player props! Not only do we have all these different betting angles, but we have NFL football on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, and Monday! Four days of football! Let’s take a look at my NFL Week 1 best bets and wrap them all up into a parlay that will pay!
2026 NFL Week 1 Best Bets And A Parlay That Pays!
Caleb Williams 20+ Rushing Yards (-114)
We can’t start my NFL Week 1 best bets without a homer pick for my Chicago Bears. I’m taking Caleb Williams to have 20+ rushing yards at -114. We still don’t know the status of Monangai or Burden. Meaning the Bears may be down two of their weapons. Sure, I expect Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and D’Andre Swift will still get plenty of action.
It’s a slightly new offensive line, with Braxton Jones winning the left tackle job and Garrett Bradbury at center. The Panthers also beefed up their defense in the offseason. Therefore, I think Caleb may see a little bit of pressure. When Caleb gets pressured, he’s very good at creating space and taking off to extend drives.
He ran for over 20 yards in almost half of his games last year. I don’t hate taking this as a rushing ladder up to 40 yards either. Caleb is more focused this year, and he and Ben Johnson are ready to show that last year wasn’t a fluke.
Kyle Pitts Over 4.5 Receptions (+100)
I know this one is risky given the Falcons have a new quarterback. We don’t know what it’s going to look like with Tua at the helm. However, despite what some in the fantasy football community say, Kyle Pitts is a stud. I had to put Pitts over 4.5 receptions at +100 in my NFL best bets for Week 1!
Last year, Pitts went over this mark in five of his last six games. When he’s healthy, he’s a great weapon on the field. The Falcons play the Steelers. The Steelers historically have had a good defense, although we aren’t sure how that team will look or perform under Mike McCarthy.
Either way, look for Tua to target Pitts often. Whether it’s because he has to dump the ball off quickly, or they’re using Pitts to stretch the field opposite Drake London, he’ll be involved. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him snag seven or eight catches.
Travis Etienne Over 17.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
The Saints went out during this offseason and got Travis Etienne for their backfield. Alvin Kamara likely won’t suit up due to injury, and Etienne will be the lead dog. He’s a dual-threat running back who can not only run but also catch the ball.
Therefore, for my NFL Week 1 best bets, I had to get a receiving prop in for Etienne. His receptions are set at an over/under of 2.5, but juiced to -205. I wanted something that gave us a little better odds. Therefore, I’m taking his receiving yards at 17.5. Kellen Moore will likely use Etienne in a variety of ways, and that includes in the passing game.
Etienne was targeted over 50 times last year in the passing game in Jacksonville. You can expect Tyler Shough to dump the ball off to him a couple of times, and that they’ll have some screen plays drawn up. This is a smash play.
Bhayshul Tuten Over 50.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
Speaking of the Jaguars and Etienne’s old spot, Bhayshul Tuten is expected to take over as the lead running back. His competition includes Chris Rodriguez Jr. Nothing against Rodriguez, but he’s not a guy who will likely steal many carries. He may steal some catches from Tuten, but not many carries.
Bhayshul Tuten had limited action last year playing behind Etienne. However, he averaged around five yards per carry. That’s a solid average. If he can keep that similar average while getting 15 or so touches in a game, Tuten won’t make the team miss Etienne.
Therefore, in my NFL Week 1 best bets, I’m smashing the over 50.5 rushing yards at -114. I expect Tuten to get closer to the 65-75 range, making this an easy play.
Tommy Tremble Over 15.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
For my last NFL week 1 best bet, I’m taking Tommy Tremble over 15.5 receiving yards. Tet McMillan is the main target in this offense. However, I think Jaylon Johnson will work on shutting him down. Tremble may not be a known commodity. However, he is the starting tight end for the Panthers.
The Panthers play the Bears in Week 1. While I expect their linebacking corps to be better in coverage this year, the Bears allowed 51.5 receiving yards per game to tight ends last year. It was definitely a weak spot in the defense. Devin Bush covers better than Tremaine Edmunds, which would help.
We’re not asking Tremble to have a career game, though. He just needs to get 16 yards. Twenty receiving yards on a couple of catches seems well within the realm of possibilities, and I love attacking these low numbers.
Wrap all of these into a parlay, and you’ll get a nice +2218 payout. Round-robin them or just take the straight bets and one parlay. Even if it’s a couple of bucks, it’s well worth the payout.
