The NFL is back, and Week 1 brings drama, storylines, and betting opportunities across the slate. From the defending champion Eagles under the lights on Thursday, to the Jets trying to make an early statement, and a high-powered Bills–Ravens clash on Sunday night, there’s no shortage of action. Let’s break down every game with betting angles and best bets.
Matchup | Date / Time (ET) | Best Bet |
Thu, Sept 4, 8:20 p.m. (NBC) | Eagles -7 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 1:00 p.m. (CBS) | Under 39.5, Jets +2 live dog | |
Sun, Sept 7, 8:20 p.m. (NBC) | Under 51.5, lean Bills -1.5 | |
Giants at Commanders | Sun, Sept 7, 1:00 p.m. (FOX) | Giants +7 |
Fri, Sept 5, 8:00 p.m. (YouTube/NFL+) | Under 44.5 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 1:00 p.m. (CBS) | Patriots -3 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 1:00 p.m. (CBS) | Dolphins +1.5 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 1:00 p.m. (CBS) | Saints -4 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 1:00 p.m. (CBS) | Bengals -5.5 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 1:00 p.m. (FOX) | Over 41 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 1:00 p.m. (FOX) | Jaguars -3.5 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 4:05 p.m. (FOX) | Broncos -3 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 4:05 p.m. (FOX) | 49ers -4 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 4:25 p.m. (CBS) | Packers -2.5 | |
Sun, Sept 7, 4:25 p.m. (CBS) | Over 47 | |
Mon, Sept 8, 8:15 p.m. (ABC/ESPN) | Over 44 |
Thursday, September 4, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Best Bet: | Eagles -7 — Philly’s pass rush should tilt the game late. |
The 2025 NFL season kicks off with fireworks as the defending champion Eagles host their rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia enter the new campaign with momentum and depth, led by Jalen Hurts and an offensive line that remains one of the league’s best. Dallas, meanwhile, bring a talented defense but questions linger on offense — particularly along the line against Philly’s ferocious pass rush.
Oddsmakers have the Eagles at -7 with a total of 46.5. Home favorites in Week 1 typically perform well, though it’s worth noting that road underdogs of six points or more have cashed at a high rate over the past decade. This makes for an intriguing push-pull matchup between market trends and roster strength.
Sunday, September 7, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Best Bet: | Under 39.5 points — defenses dominate, with Jets +2 worth a look. |
The Jets open their season at home, welcoming the Steelers to MetLife Stadium. For New York, this is more than just a Week 1 test — it’s a chance to show that their off-season optimism is justified. Their defense finished among the league’s top five last year, and that unit will be crucial against Pittsburgh’s physical style of play.
The Steelers enter as 2-point favorites, with the total at just 39.5 — one of the lowest numbers on the Week 1 slate. That line reflects expectations of a defensive struggle rather than a shootout. Both teams are built to win ugly, and one turnover could easily swing the outcome.
Sunday, September 7, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Best Bet: | Under 51.5 points — high total for Week 1, Bills lean at -1.5. |
Sunday night brings a heavyweight AFC clash between two perennial contenders. Josh Allen leads Buffalo into a primetime test against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ versatile attack. Both teams have been playoff mainstays, and this early meeting could shape seeding later in the year.
The Bills are slight 1.5-point favorites, with a total of 51.5, the highest of the week. That line highlights the offensive talent on display, but Week 1 overs with such high totals rarely cash. Buffalo’s defense at home and Baltimore’s ability to control tempo could keep the scoreboard lower than expected.
Sunday, September 7, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
Best Bet: | Giants +7 — divisional home dogs have a strong Week 1 record. |
The Giants begin 2025 with a divisional trip to Washington. The Commanders are favored by 7 points, thanks largely to a defensive front anchored by Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat that consistently disrupts opposing quarterbacks. That unit poses a major challenge for a Giants offensive line that has struggled in recent years.
Still, divisional games often play tighter than expected. History shows that road underdogs of a touchdown or more in Week 1 cover at a strong rate. If the Giants can lean on Saquon Barkley and avoid turnovers, they have a chance to keep this one competitive deep into the fourth quarter.
Friday, September 5, 8:15 p.m. ET (YouTube)
Best Bet: | Under 44.5 points — travel and rivalry trends favor the under. |
The NFL makes history in Brazil, sending Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to face the Chargers in São Paulo. While Kansas City are rightly 2.5-point favorites, recent history shows this rivalry often comes down to the final possession. Both teams must also manage travel and the spectacle of a neutral-site opener, which can dampen offensive rhythm.
The total sits at 44.5, and international games have leaned under in recent years. Add in the fact that AFC West divisional matchups are notoriously close, and it sets up as a tactical battle rather than a shootout.
Sunday, September 7, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Best Bet: | Patriots -3 — New England’s defense should set the tone. |
The Patriots open at home against the Raiders, favored by 3 points. New England will lean on their disciplined defense and coaching stability to control tempo in Foxborough.
Las Vegas are still a team in transition and may struggle to generate consistent offense on the road. If the Patriots force early mistakes, they’ll be in position to cover.
Sunday, September 7, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Best Bet: | Dolphins +1.5 — Miami’s speed is the difference-maker. |
Miami bring one of the fastest offenses in the league into Indianapolis, where the Colts are slim 1.5-point favorites. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill can flip a game in a single play, while Indy’s attack remains a work in progress with a young quarterback at the helm.
The Colts will lean on their run game and home crowd, but they’ll need to control the tempo to keep Miami from breaking loose. If this turns into a track meet, the advantage swings heavily to the Dolphins.
Sunday, September 7, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Best Bet: | Saints -4 — home field and defense should be enough. |
The Saints start 2025 in the Superdome, where they’re usually tough to beat. Favored by around 4 points, New Orleans will count on their pass rush and dome advantage to unsettle a young Cardinals roster.
Arizona will need a near-flawless performance to keep this close, but their lack of offensive firepower makes it a tough ask on the road.
Sunday, September 7, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Best Bet: | Bengals -5.5 — Burrow’s fast starts and firepower should be enough. |
The AFC North rivalry kicks off early with Joe Burrow and the Bengals heading into Cleveland. Cincinnati enter as 5.5-point favorites, leaning on one of the NFL’s best passing attacks. Burrow’s chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins makes the Bengals dangerous from the first snap, and they’ll look to set the tone immediately.
Cleveland, meanwhile, will rely on their defensive line to disrupt Burrow and slow the tempo. The Browns were inconsistent offensively last season, and unless their passing game improves, it’s hard to see them keeping pace.
Sunday, September 7, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
Best Bet: | Over 41 — NFC South rivalry games often produce points. |
The Buccaneers head to Atlanta for a divisional clash that’s tough to call on the spread. Both teams are volatile, but the total at 41 looks a little low.
With two inconsistent defenses and playmakers on both sides, this has the feel of a sneaky shootout.
Sunday, September 7, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
Best Bet: | Jaguars -3.5 — Lawrence and company should control this one. |
Jacksonville begin the year at home for the first time since 2020, hosting Carolina at EverBank Stadium. Trevor Lawrence leads a more balanced Jaguars roster against a Panthers team still bedding in a young quarterback and new pieces.
Carolina’s defense can keep games close in spurts, but sustaining drives has been the issue. With the Jaguars at home and favored, they should control tempo and field position.
Sunday, September 7, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX)
Best Bet: | Broncos -3 — Mile High advantage should matter in Week 1. |
The Broncos open their season at home against Tennessee, favored by about a field goal. Denver’s defense is strong enough to pressure the Titans into mistakes, especially in the altitude of Mile High Stadium.
Tennessee’s run game can keep them in the contest, but if Denver jump out early, the Titans don’t have the passing game to chase.
Sunday, September 7, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX)
Best Bet: | 49ers -4 — San Francisco’s roster depth gives them the edge. |
The NFC West rivalry kicks off in Seattle, with the 49ers favored by just over a field goal. San Francisco boast one of the most complete rosters in the league, and their defensive line could be too much for the Seahawks’ protection.
Seattle always play the 49ers tough at home, but San Francisco’s ability to control games on both sides makes them the safer bet.
Sunday, September 7, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Best Bet: | Packers -2.5 — home-field edge in a tight divisional battle. |
The NFC North season begins with a rivalry clash at Lambeau Field. The Packers are narrow 2.5-point favorites, banking on home-field advantage and consistency at quarterback. Detroit, however, bring one of the league’s most exciting young rosters and will test Green Bay’s secondary with their aggressive offense.
A single score decided both meetings between these teams last season, and another close contest feels likely. Expect both sides to lean on the ground game early before opening things up through the air.
Sunday, September 7, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Best Bet: | Over 47 — two aggressive offenses should create points. |
The Rams host Houston in one of the more intriguing late games. Both teams have quarterbacks who can stretch the field, and with a total near 47, this matchup could turn into a shootout.
Los Angeles have home-field advantage, but Houston’s young playmakers are capable of keeping pace. The safer angle may be the total rather than the spread.
Monday, September 8, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
Best Bet: | Over 44 — both teams have enough playmakers to push the total. |
Week 1 closes under the lights at Soldier Field as the Bears host the Vikings. Chicago will lean on their rushing attack and new-look offense, while Minnesota bring one of the league’s most explosive wideouts in Justin Jefferson.
The total sits around 44, and with two defenses that can be exploited, this has the makings of a higher-scoring game than the market suggests. The spread may be tricky, but the points angle looks more reliable.
Week 1 of the NFL season is always full of surprises. Teams are still finding their rhythm, coaches roll out new schemes, and early-season rust can tilt games in unexpected directions. That’s why trends like divisional underdogs at home, unders in primetime games, and defense-first matchups often hold extra value in the opening week.
While some favorites like the Eagles and 49ers look strong on paper, it’s important to stay disciplined with your bankroll; Week 1 can reward smart bettors who target the right spots rather than betting every game with equal confidence.
If you’re looking to put your picks into play, make sure you’re getting the best NY promo codes and odds available. We’ve put together a guide to the best NFL betting sites you can trust, so you can compare offers and find the right book for your Week 1 bets.
