The NFL did not ease into the 2026 season. It never does. NFL Week 1 odds open with the Seattle Seahawks raising their championship banner against the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl LX rematch. One night later, the Rams and 49ers take their rivalry to Melbourne, Australia.
Josh Allen also faces the NFL’s best statistical defense from 2025, Joe Burrow meets Baker Mayfield in the highest-totaled game according to early NFL odds, and Patrick Mahomes attempts to return from ACL and LCL injuries against Denver.
Week 1 betting requires caution. Preseason play can be misleading, new coordinators may hide their plans, and several teams have changed quarterbacks or rebuilt key position groups. Then you have injuries, trades, and final roster decisions that can move markets.
Here are the biggest games, players, and historical trends to frame NFL Week 1 picks.
Check out the latest NFL odds on Bovada.
NFL Week 1 Games to Watch
Week 1 runs from Wednesday, September 9, through Monday, September 14, including the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. Here are games to watch for the start of the 2026 NFL season.
All listed Bovada spreads, moneylines, and totals are subject to change.
Wednesday, Sept. 9: New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks – 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
- Spread: SEA -3.5
- Moneyline: SEA -185, NE +160
- Total: 44.5
Seattle starts its title defense after beating New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks opened at -3.5 at home, but with the Patriots’ addition of A.J. Brown, this matchup has an extra wrinkle we didn’t see in February. Seattle retains the coaching and defensive continuity that helped it win the championship, although preseason injuries have reduced their depth.
Thursday, Sept. 10: San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams – 8:35 p.m. ET (Netflix)
- Spread: LAR -3.5
- Moneyline: LAR -200, SF +170
- Total: 48.5
The Rams and 49ers meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the first NFL regular-season game played in Australia. With the Rams at full strength and the off-season acquisition of superstar defensive end Myles Garrett, they’re a -3.5 favorite on neutral ground. Protecting Brock Purdy from Garrett is San Francisco’s central challenge – and it gets worse if future HOFer Aaron Donald decides to come out of retirement to play.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals – 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Spread: CIN -4.5
- Moneyline: CIN -225, TB +185
- Total: 51.5
The total for this matchup has been hovering at around 51.5, Week 1’s highest. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, and Bucky Irving give both offenses multiple ways to score. Cincinnati is favored by approximately 4.5 after adding Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen, and Boye Mafe on defense. Chase hyperextended his knee on August 25 but said he was “fine”; his status remains worth monitoring.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts – 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Spread: BAL -3.5
- Moneyline: BAL -180, IND +155
- Total: 44.5
Baltimore is favored by approximately 3.5 on the road. The Ravens added pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, while Lamar Jackson remains difficult to prepare for without regular-season film. The Colts will counter with Jonathan Taylor’s running ability and the downfield dominance of Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, while Daniel Jones has been fully cleared for practice and appears on track to start Week 1 less than nine months after tearing his Achilles.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans – 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Spread: HOU -1
- Moneyline: HOU -110, BUF -110
- Total: 44.5
The Bills opened as slight road favorites, but the odds have shifted in Houston’s favor as we get closer to Week 1. Josh Allen faces a Texans defense that led the NFL by allowing 277.2 yards per game in 2025. Houston can pressure without sacrificing coverage, limiting the broken plays Allen creates after leaving the pocket. The spread correctly treats this as close to a coin flip.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Spread: MIN -1.5
- Moneyline: MIN -120, GB EVEN
- Total: 45
Packers/Vikings has shifted between Green Bay -1.5 and Minnesota -1.5. Kyler Murray is expected to make his Vikings debut after replacing J.J. McCarthy, giving Kevin O’Connell an experienced quarterback alongside Justin Jefferson. Green Bay addressed its late-season decline in run defense by adding Javon Hargrave and drafting Chris McClellan.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles – 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Spread: PHI -4.5
- Moneyline: PHI -225, WAS +185
- Total: 46.5
Philadelphia is favored by approximately 4.5 in its first regular-season game since trading Brown. The Eagles must remain efficient without their former top receiver, but Washington has larger concerns. The Commanders finished last in yards allowed in 2025 and are moving from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 with several new starters. Jayden Daniels still gives Washington upset potential.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
- Spread: DAL -3
- Moneyline: DAL -160, NYG +135
- Total: 48.5
Dallas is favored by a field goal in the first Sunday Night Football game of the season. The total has hovered near 48.5, suggesting the market expects both NFC East offenses to create explosive plays. You never know what you’re going to get when Dallas faces the Giants, and when you add John Harbaugh into the mix, the Giants are definitely capable of shocking the league on Sunday night.
Monday, Sept. 14: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
- Spread: KC -2.5
- Moneyline: KC -150, DEN +130
- Total: 43.5
Mahomes’ availability dominates the storyline for the final game of the week. Kansas City is favored by approximately 2.5, but that depends on his recovery from ACL and LCL tears. Mahomes has taken first-team reps and says Week 1 has always been the target, although Andy Reid has not cleared him. Denver’s rush makes this a demanding and risky return. Denver ranked among the top defenses last year thanks to a dominant pass rush.
Key Players to Watch in NFL Week 1
We outline key players for Week 1 and whether their matchup is likely to result in better or worse-than-expected performance.
- Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers – Better: The Chargers’ opponent, Arizona, allowed 2,158 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per carry, and 19 rushing touchdowns in 2025. With Los Angeles favored by 10 points, the Chargers could protect a lead by giving Hampton a heavy workload. That combination gives the second-year running back an opportunity to begin his potential breakout season with a productive performance.
- Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals – Better: Tampa Bay surrendered 3,755 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns while making only 11 interceptions last season. Provided his recently hyperextended knee does not limit him, Chase could outperform expectations in the highest-totaled game of Week 1.
- Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills – Worse: Allen regularly creates production even when plays break down, but Houston presents one of his most difficult matchups. The Texans led the NFL by allowing only 277.2 total yards per game in 2025 and can generate pressure without leaving their secondary exposed.
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs – Worse: Mahomes appears on track to return from ACL and LCL injuries, but his first game comes against a Denver defense that allowed only 278.2 yards per game and led the NFL with 68 sacks in 2025.
- A.J. Brown, WR, New England Patriots – Worse: Brown immediately improves New England’s passing game, but his Patriots debut comes against the defense that helped Seattle win the Super Bowl by holding New England to 13 points.
NFL Week 1 Against the Spread
These are the most relevant notes for betting on NFL Week 1 against the spread (ATS):
- Since 2005, Week 1 unders have cashed at approximately a 55% rate as offenses often need time to establish their regular-season rhythm.
- Since the NFL moved extra points back in 2015, opening-week games have gone 96-79 to the under, a 54.9% hit rate.
- Twelve of the 16 Week 1 games in 2025 stayed under their closing totals, compared with seven in 2024.
- Teams that covered between 50% and 59% of their games the previous season went 15-7 ATS in Week 1 across 2024 and 2025.
- Since 2005, favorites are 33-21-1 ATS in Week 1 games between two playoff teams.
- Over the last decade, favorites of six points or more covered only 39% of Week 1 games.
- Home underdogs in divisional matchups have gone 27-16 ATS over the past 20 Week 1 slates, including 11-4 since 2018.
- Double-digit Week 1 favorites have gone 25-5 straight up since 1990.
NFL Week 1 FAQs
When Does NFL Week 1 Begin?
The season begins Wednesday, September 9, when Seattle hosts New England. Week 1 finishes Monday, September 14, with Denver visiting Kansas City.
What Are the Biggest NFL Week 1 Games?
Patriots-Seahawks, 49ers-Rams, Bills-Texans, Packers-Vikings, and Broncos-Chiefs lead the schedule. Buccaneers-Bengals carries the highest early total.
What Does Against the Spread Mean in the NFL?
A favorite must win by more than the listed point spread to cover. An underdog covers by winning straight up or losing by fewer points than the spread.
Where Can You Bet on NFL Week 1?
Odds for every game are available through Bovada’s NFL betting page, including spreads, moneylines, totals, futures, and available player props.
Where Can You Watch NFL Week 1?
Games are available across NBC, Netflix, CBS, FOX, ESPN, and ABC.