When the NFL releases the schedule for the upcoming regular season, it's a small form of torture. Sure, we get to see the roadmap for the upcoming year and all the great games we have in store for us, but the release is also met with the realization that we have to wait months until the action truly gets going. It's a tease!
While we'll have to practice patience, the schedule release does also give us the ability to begin thinking about our betting strategies for the upcoming year, and that includes Week 1.
Of course, it's wise to wait until closer to the start of the regular season to fire off any bets for the opening weekend due to concerns about injuries between now and then. That said, it's never too early to get a sense of how the oddsmakers are sizing up the league.
NFL odds courtesy of DraftKings.
Week 1 Matchup Odds
- New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks (Wednesday): Patriots +160, Seahawks -192
- San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, in Melbourne): 49ers +130, Rams -155
- New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions: Saints +260, Lions -325
- Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans: Bills -112, Texans -108
- Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts: Ravens -185, Colts +154
- Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers: Bears -135, Panthers +114
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals: Buccaneers +164, Bengals -198
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers: Falcons +145, Steelers -175
- New York Jets at Tennessee Titans: Jets +142, Titans -170
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars: Browns +230, Jaguars -285
- Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles: Commanders +195, Eagles -238
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers: Cardinals +455, Chargers -625
- Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders: Dolphins +150, Raiders -180
- Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings: Packers -125, Vikings +105
- Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants: Cowboys -130, Giants +110
- Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (Monday): Broncos +130, Chiefs -155
Patriots at Seahawks (Wednesday)
The last time we saw these two teams square off, it wasn't even close. Seattle cruised to a Lombardi Trophy, blowing out the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, 29-13. While Seattle lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency, they should still be among the biggest threats to win the title again in 2026.
It's no surprise to see them favored by 3.5 at home in the opener. This is also the 12th Super Bowl rematch the following season, and the Super Bowl winner is 8-3 straight-up in those games. With the banner being unveiled, Lumen Field should be a stellar atmosphere.
Way-too-early pick: Seahawks -3.5
49ers at Rams (Thursday, in Melbourne)
Way-too-early pick: 49ers +2.5
Saints at Lions
I'm high on Tyler Shough and fascinated to see how he fares as New Orleans' clear-cut full-time starter in his second season in the league. While I may be bullish on them for 2026, this is a tough draw in the opener as they head to Detroit to face a Lions team that is licking its wounds after taking a step back in 2025.
Despite missing out on the playoffs last year, Dan Campbell's team still has the foundation of a heavyweight in the NFC and should be able to come out of the gates firing to begin the season. Despite their struggles a year ago, Detroit still had an average margin of victory at Ford Field of 9.5, which makes the touchdown spread palatable.
Way-too-early pick: Lions -7
Bills at Texans
It's May, and I'm still trying to digest C.J. Stroud's postseason. It was the type of performance that makes you question whether or not he's a franchise cornerstone, and the fact that Houston hasn't locked him up with an extension.