Week 1 NFL picks, predictions, best bets from Vegas expert: This 3-team football parlay pays out almost 6-1

One of the most highly-anticipated matchups on the Week 1 NFL schedule is between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets. Gang Green was dealt a mighty blow in Week 1 last season when quarterback Aaron Rodgers sustained an Achilles injury four plays into the game. There is excitement surrounding Rodgers' return, but his team will be tested heavily out the gate as they go up against the reigning NFC champions in Santa Clara. San Francisco has most of its stellar roster returning this season, including running back and 2023 Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers opened as 6-point favorites in the NFL odds, although the line has shortened to 3.5. Which side of one of the slimmest NFL spreads of the week will you back when you make your NFL predictions? Before you make any Week 1 NFL picks or NFL parlays, be sure to see what SportsLine senior analyst Larry Hartstein has to say .

A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed working for Pro Football Focus. He tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS. Hartstein's weekly Vegas contest selections form the basis of his NFL best bets column, which is 79-48-2 (62.2%, +25.95 units) since its inception in 2022. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

For Week 1, Hartstein has locked in three confident best bets. If you successfully parlay his picks, you're looking at a payout of almost 6-1. You can only see Hartstein's Week 1 NFL picks at SportsLine .

Top Week 1 NFL picks

We can tell you Hartstein loves the Browns (-2.5) to cover against the Cowboys . While there are lingering questions about Deshaun Watson's health and how it will impact the offense, the Browns are expected to be tough to play against yet again this season because of their defense. They ranked first in pass defense, allowing just 164.7 yards. Meanwhile, the Cowboys struggled against top-tier defenses last season and could be in trouble since they favored a pass-heavy offensive scheme last season.

"Cleveland led the NFL in total defense and lowest completion percentage allowed last year, and should be even better in the second year under aggressive coordinator Jim Schwartz," Hartstein told SportsLine. See which other NFL parlay picks to make here .

How to make Week 1 NFL parlays

Hartstein also jumped on two other NFL matchups, including backing one team who he says is "poised for greatness." You can only see Hartstein's Week 1 NFL best bets and parlay at SportsLine .

What are Hartstein's top Week 1 NFL picks, and which other NFL matchups should you target for a strong 6-1 payout? Visit SportsLine now to see the Week 1 NFL best bets from the Vegas expert who is up 25.95 units on ATS picks since 2022 , and find out.