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The 2026 NFL schedule has been released into the wild, with football bettors setting their sights on the Week 1 odds.
The league did a great job rolling out a bunch of interesting encounters to kick off 2026, and I’m highlighting some of the best storylines that could impact your Week 1 NFL picks and predictions.
NFL picks for Week 1: Opening lines (May 14)
Game
Pick
Patriots at
Seahawks
Seahawks -3.5
-110
49ers vs.
Rams
Under 48.5
-110
Bears at
Panthers
Bears -2.5
-110
Bills at
Texans
Over 45.5
-115
Packers at
Vikings
Under 44.5
-110
Cowboys at
Giants
Over 48.5
-110
Broncos at
Chiefs
Under 42.5
-110
NFL Week 1 picks based on the opening odds from DraftKings — one of our NFL betting sites.
Week 1 picks to make following the 2026 schedule release
Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8:20 p.m. ET
Pick: Seahawks -3.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
A Super Bowl rematch sets the tone in the season opener on Wednesday night.
All eyes are on the Patriots’ sideline, and head coach Mike Vrabel might not escape this offseason after an affair with an NFL reporter was exposed.
Defending Super Bowl champs have historically done well against the spread in the Week 1 opener, and after a Big Game beating, folks will be quick to fade a rudderless Pats team.
This spread already sits in a no-man’s land of Seattle -4.5 at some books, so it wouldn’t take much to send this opener to Seahawks -6 or higher.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Sept. 10, 8:35 p.m. ET
Pick: Under 48.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
I’m setting the Over/Under on Netflix playing Men at Work’s 1981 classic “Down Under” at 1.5 for this Australian showcase.
These NFC West rivals enjoy a 17-hour time difference in Melbourne and play on an AFL pitch, so who knows how the field will hold up to the grind of the American game?
September is spring in Australia, so rain could show up and make this international outing a mess. I’m leaning Under with a total flirting with 50 points.
Crappy field conditions could keep San Francisco 49ers star TE George Kittle from returning in Week 1. He’s coming off an Achilles tear suffered in the Wild Card Round.
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET
Pick: Bears -2.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Caleb Williams and Bryce Young will always be connected due to the deal that eventually brought both QBs to their current clubs.
This Week 1 opener is a litmus test for these NFC contenders, who both lost to the L.A. Rams in the postseason last winter.
Chicago has high hopes in 2026, especially after coming an OT defeat away from playing the conference championship. This is Year 2 under head coach Ben Johnson, and Williams is an MVP sleeper (+1600) if he can take the Bears to the next level.
Carolina gets to see if it’s for real or if last season’s playoff appearance was a fluke. The Panthers backed into the tournament with five losses in their final eight games.
I’m a little surprised this spread is short of a field goal, considering Carolina went 2-5 against playoff teams.
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET
Pick: Over 45.5 (-115 at DraftKings)
The Houston Texans handed Josh Allen one of his worst games of the season in a 23-19 win at home in Week 12 last year. This AFC opener will give one of these contenders the inside track on the conference race.
The Texans were very active in the offseason, bolstering their dog poo O-line through the draft and free agency, as well as adding a steady rushing threat in David Montgomery.
C.J. Stroud got the vote of confidence at QB for at least one more year and is expected to improve given the better talent around him.
As for the Bills, this is a tough first step in a season that will be a failure if they don’t make a Super Bowl appearance.
Josh Allen gets a true No. 1 receiver in D.J. Moore, who could show out in his Buffalo debut. Moore sees his career numbers spike when he gets to play indoors, and I’ll be sniffing around his Week 1 props this summer.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 13, 4:25 p.m. ET
Pick: Under 44.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
This should be Kyler Murray’s Minnesota debut. A lot can happen between now and Week 1. Just ask J.J. McCarthy. Hell, whoever wins the QB1 job might not even finish the game considering the pass rush coming after him.
The Packers were a Super Bowl contender that came apart at the seams last season, with injuries decimating their depth chart on both sides of the ball.
On paper, this looks like one of the best two-way teams in the NFC, but Matt LaFleur once again has a new DC in Jonathan Gannon — the third DC in the past four seasons.
The NFC North is going to be a tight race, especially if Murray can get this Vikings offense going. Minnesota is a +600 long shot to win the division, but a victory over the Cheesheads in Week 1 will flip those futures on their ear.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 13, 8:20 p.m. ET
Pick: Over 48.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
The John Harbaugh era kicks off in the Big Apple on Sunday Night Football. The former Ravens head coach inherits a loaded defense, especially at linebacker. If anyone knows how to leverage all those LBs, it’s Harbaugh.
Offensively, the G-Men are hoping all their young skill players are back from injury in time for this opener. Running back Cam Skattebo and WR Malik Nabers are trending in the right direction, and second-year QB Jaxson Dart has an improved O-line in front of him.
The Cowboys will score points, but can they stop anyone from scoring? New defensive coordinator Christian Parker is Dallas’ fourth DC in four seasons, and while the draft brought in some much-needed talent, this could still be a team that gives up home run plays. Smells like an Over to me.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Sept. 14, 8:15 p.m. ET
Pick: Under 42.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
According to insiders, Patrick Mahomes is trending toward playing in Week 1 after suffering an ACL injury last season. And the schedule makers did the best they could to get No. 15 back on the field, giving him an extra day of rest.
Helping Mahomes is Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who gives the Chiefs their first true RB1 in a long time. If the rest of the skill players can stay healthy and out of trouble, this is a fast and furious offense.
Denver’s playoff hopes were derailed by Bo Nix’s absence in the AFC Championship Game. This defense remains among the elite under coordinator Vance Joseph, especially against the pass.
The Broncos have done an excellent job shutting down Mahomes the past two seasons, and that respect shows in this sub-44 total.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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