The 2024 NFL regular season kicked off in style, with the Kansas City Chiefs holding off the Baltimore Ravens at the wire on Thursday Night Football. It was a fantastic primetime game, and there all the makings for another one when the Detroit Lions host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football.
Here is my Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which get underway at 8:20 pm ET on NBC. Also be sure to check out our full Rams vs Lions predictions.
Los Angeles Rams +4.5 (-114)
Puka Nacua to score a touchdown (+120)
Amon-Ra St. Brown to record 100+ receiving yards (+148)
Parlay odds: +651
Part of the value in a Same Game Parlay, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here, as Los Angeles receiver Puka Nacua scoring a touchdown would obviously work well with the Rams covering. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with backing Detroit receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to rack up a bunch of yards. But even if that happens, there is no reason why the underdogs can’t be competitive. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Los Angeles Rams +4.5 (-114)
This is a rematch of the wild-card round in last year’s NFC playoffs, and that contest could not have been more competitive. Detroit managed to prevail in front of the home crowd, but only by a 24-23 margin. This battle figures to be similarly competitive between 2 teams that once again harbor playoff aspirations. The Lions should be very good once again; I have nothing bad to say about them. I’m simply not willing to give more than a field goal to a formidable foe like the Rams – especially not in Week 1, when even good teams are not yet well-oiled machines. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald has retired, but rookies and Florida State teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske will help fill the void. Offensively, Stafford and receiver targets Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua make for a dangerous recipe. Give me L.A. plus the points.
Puka Nacua to score a touchdown (+120)
Nacua wasted no time taking the NFL world by storm as an unheralded rookie out of BYU. Last season he racked up 1486 yards on 105 catches. His touchdown count of 6 was modest, but 4 of those came in the last 8 regular-season games. Even more encouraging is that Nacua went crazy in the playoff loss to Detroit with 9 receptions on 10 targets for 181 yards and 1 RD. That inspires a lot of confidence going into Week 1 of the 2024 campaign.
Amon-Ra St. Brown to record 100+ receiving yards (+148)
Speaking of receivers who went nuts last year, St. Brown was incredible for Detroit. The 2021 fourth-round draft pick out of USC made 119 catches for 1515 yards and 10 touchdowns. On 9 occasions he exceeded the 100-yard mark, including 3 times in the last 4 contests. It’s also worth noting that he went for 110 yards against the Rams in the playoff game. Last season Los Angeles allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs in the entire NFL, so it would make sense for Goff and company to look for success through the air on Sunday. Count on ARSB having a big night at the office.