NFL Week 1 Best Bets with Betting Odds and Predictions

by Mike Allen - 9/2/2025

NFL Week 1 best bets Kyler Murray Arizona Cardinals

We've waited long and hard, ladies and gentlemen, but it is finally Week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season. The emotions of a particular die-hard group of fans are soaring into Week 1. It's not the fans that I would worry about, though.

They'll have their game faces on, but will the players as they raise the Super Bowl banner and play their NFC East Division rival, the Dallas Cowboys? Perhaps they start stoic and then give in to their emotions, only to have to deal with an adrenaline dump.

I like the Eagles to win by two scores, but with the Super Bowl champion ceremony involved, I'll pass.

There are a few other games, however, that we can attack with more confidence. One of those is betting against a team that potentially finishes 2025 with the worst record.

Spencer Rattler has been named the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. I like that for them, but this team as a whole could be that bad. Are they bad enough to fade them at the Superdome, though?

The quest for the NFC South crown was a two-team race in 2024, and, aside from the insertion of Michael Penix Jr. under center late last year in Atlanta, not much has changed this season. I smell a home division underdog barking.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

NFL Week 1 Best Bets

Arizona Cardinals (-6.5) at New Orleans Saints (+6.5)

Point Total: 43.5

Moneyline

Cardinals: -280

Saints: +230

I'm pretty high on the Arizona Cardinals this year. Quarterback Kyler Murray has had another offseason to develop chemistry with his targets, including 2nd-year starter Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. The latter broke out last year, and the former has further refined his game.

This pick isn’t even about the Cardinals, though. They’re arguably a top 15 roster in the NFL, while the New Orleans Saints are the worst team in the NFL on paper to start the year.

Pick: Arizona Cardinals (-6.5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) at Atlanta Falcons (+2.5)

Point Total: 47

Moneyline

Buccaneers: -140

Falcons: +120

Staying in the south, we check in on a low-key fire matchup in the NFC South. Both of these teams are explosive enough to hang with the Packers or the Eagles.

The Bucs are the slightly better team on paper, and, of course, Baker Mayfield is far more proven under center than his counterpart.

Bijan Robinson could be the X-factor here as potentially the best player on the field this weekend. Hopefully, the Falcons feed the beast, as he only had 25 carries combined against the Bucs in 2024.

Give me the divisional home underdog and the points.

Pick: Falcons (+2.5)

Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at New York Jets (+2.5)

Point Total: 38.5

Moneyline

Steelers: -150

Jets: +130

We aren’t wasting any time. Everyone who wanted to see Aaron Rodgers return to New York to play against his previous team won’t have to wait much longer. These two defensive teams have brought the point total down, but is it low enough?

Justin Fields hasn’t exactly lit up strong defenses that make him go to his second read. That’s usually when he falls apart.

Neither team has a legitimate WR2 who isn’t listed as questionable. If I’m picking a side, I like the Steelers, but let’s take that early-season under with two defensive powerhouses.

Rodgers is moving like he’s 45.

Pick: Under 38.5 Points

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills (Pick)

Point Total: 50.5

Moneyline

Ravens: -115

Bills: -105

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills had an incredible regular season, including some big wins at home in the snow. I don't doubt the temperature is dropping significantly up there in Buffalo already, but we won't see any snow just yet.

The Bills made their money all season in 2024 by winning the turnover battle. Good luck in the nice weather coming out ahead against the professionals and even more of a regular-season juggernaut.

Baltimore arguably has a better roster than the Philadelphia Eagles. I trust their unit and head coach, especially the defense, to outplay the Bills on a balmy night in Buffalo.

Pick: Ravens Moneyline

More Week 1 Betting Odds

Dallas Cowboys (+8) at Philadelphia Eagles (-8)

Point Total: 47.5

Moneyline

Cowboys: +330

Eagles: -430

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) vs Los Angeles Chargers (+3)

Point Total: 45.5

Moneyline

Chiefs: -170

Chargers: +140

Carolina Panthers (+3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5)

Point Total: 46.5

Moneyline

Panthers: -190

Jaguars: +160

Miami Dolphins (+1) at Indianapolis Colts (-1)

Point Total: 47

Moneyline

Dolphins: -110

Colts: -110

New York Giants (+6) at Washington Commanders (-6)

Point Total: 47.5

Moneyline

Giants: +215

Commanders: -265

Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) at Cleveland Browns (+5.5)

Point Total: 47.5

Moneyline

Bengals: -245

Browns: +195

Las Vegas Raiders (+2.5) at New England Patriots (-2.5)

Point Total: 43.5

Moneyline

Raiders: +125

Patriots: -145

Tennessee Titans (+8) at Denver Broncos (-8)

Point Total: 47

Moneyline

Titans: +300

Broncos: -420

San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) at Seattle Seahawks (+2.5)

Point Total: 43

Moneyline

49ers: -135

Seahawks: +115

Detroit Lions (+2.5) at Green Bay Packers (-2.5)

Point Total: 47

Moneyline

Lions: +120

Packers: -140

Houston Texans (+3) at Los Angeles Rams (-3)

Point Total: 44

Moneyline

Texans: +130

Rams: -150

Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) at Chicago Bears (+1.5)

Point Total: 44.5

Moneyline

Vikings: -125

Bears: +105

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NFL Week 1 Best Bets with Betting Odds and Predictions

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