Happy Week 1 to all those who celebrate - a truly joyous time on the sports calendar.
With so many unknowns after an offseason of roster and coaching changes, the NFL's opening week is arguably the hardest to handicap. But if you can correctly decipher which moves actually matter, it can present some of the best value of the year.
Let's dive into our picks against the spread, plus player props and touchdown scorers worth considering for our first Sunday slate of the season.
👉 Check out all of the Week 1 lines available on theScore Bet here
Jump to: Game picks | Early slate | Late slate | Player props | TD scorers | Survivor selections
Our trio of betting writers - Eric Patterson, Brenden Deeg, and Dane Belbeck - will make picks against the spread for Sunday's slate and Monday Night Football all season.
Eric Patterson breaks down his favorite picks against the spread, adding his own analysis and insights. He also identifies player props and touchdown scorers to target, as well as a survivor selection to help you win your pool.
🏈 Bet: Bears (-3)
We might look back at this spread later in the season and wonder how we were asked to lay only three points with the Bears over the Panthers. Chicago's biggest weakness is defense, but Carolina doesn't have the tools to capitalize. On the flip side, the Bears' offense should take another step forward in its second year under Ben Johnson, and I don't expect the Panthers' defense to have many answers. 👉 Add the Bears to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Jets (+1.5)
I can't lay points with the Titans. Sure, Robert Saleh will be extra motivated as the Titans' new head coach to get a win over his former team, but there are still too many question marks on Tennessee's offense to feel comfortable backing them. Cam Ward didn't look good in the preseason, and the Titans project to have one of the league's worst offensive lines. While the Jets have flaws of their own, I'll take Geno Smith to outperform Ward at this point in the season. 👉 Add the Jets to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Bengals (-4)
By all accounts, the tone in Cincinnati's locker room has been set: anything short of a Super Bowl will be a disappointment. If that's their approach, then expect the Bengals to be ready to go in Week 1. Dexter Lawrence's addition on defense changes a lot for a group that struggled last season. On offense, everyone is healthy, and Joe Burrow is poised to have his way with a porous Buccaneers secondary. 👉 Add the Bengals to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Texans (+1.5)
The Bills have a new head coach and offensive coordinator, and they're tasked with heading to Houston to take on one of the league's best defenses in their first game. This isn't a good spot for the Bills, and you have to think the Texans' defense, a group largely unchanged from last season, will be prepared for Josh Allen and Co., who could still be working through some early-season rust. 👉 Add the Texans to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Commanders (+5.5)
The sentiment around Washington was high before Laremy Tunsil got hurt and Jayden Daniels began feuding with his alma mater. The Tunsil injury is a big blow, but the improvements the Commanders made on defense, especially with the talent added at linebacker, have gone overlooked. They have far more speed to defend the Eagles' rushing attack, and it remains to be seen how effective Jalen Hurts will be through the air without A.J. Brown. Give me the points in what should be a tight divisional matchup. 👉 Add the Commanders to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Cowboys (-3)
Backing the home underdog in a divisional contest is usually the right side to take, but Dallas outclasses New York on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys improved their defense significantly by adding Caleb Downs and Rashan Gary, and they have one of the NFL's most potent offenses. The Giants' defensive line is strong, but outside of that area, they're worse than Dallas. 👉 Add the Cowboys to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Over 6.5 receptions
I'm expecting a shootout in Detroit, with the Lions' passing offense being at the forefront. Amon-Ra St. Brown averaged over 10 targets per game last season, a stat that includes an outing in which he received just one target before leaving early. He's Jared Goff's go-to choice in the passing game, and he should see plenty of action against a Saints defense vulnerable through the air. 👉 Add St. Brown over 6.5 receptions to your betslip on theScore Bet.
🏈 Bet: Over 4.5 receptions
Cooper Rush is getting the nod for the Falcons, which may be an upgrade over Tua Tagovailoa. Regardless, Kyle Pitts will be Rush's safety blanket against a Steelers defense that gave up the fourth most receptions to opposing tight ends last season. Pitts, who was featured as a prominent component of Kevin Stefanski's offense in the preseason, caught at least five passes in five of his final six games in 2025. 👉 Add Pitts over 4.5 receptions to your betslip on theScore Bet.
🏈 Bet: Over 34.5 rushing yards
Jayden Daniels has surpassed 34.5 rushing yards in 20 of his 27 career games - a 74% clip that far exceeds the 57.4% probability implied by the odds. Although the Commanders may not want their quarterback running as much after injuries derailed his 2025 campaign, Daniels may not have a choice. Washington's offensive line could struggle to give him time, which means he'll be taking off and running more than he'd like. 👉 Add Daniels over 34.5 rushing yards to your betslip on theScore Bet.
🙌 Bet: Anytime TD (-120)
I like the Commanders to cover, but I'll concede that Saquon Barkley has dominated Washington during his time in Philly. In just four meetings, Barkley has scored eight touchdowns while averaging 136.5 rushing yards per game. 👉 Add Barkley to score a TD to your betslip on theScore Bet.
🙌 Bet: Anytime TD (+125)
Points will be scored in the Bucs-Bengals contest, and Tee Higgins is one of the league's best red-zone threats. He's recorded double-digit touchdowns each of the past two seasons, and as a plus-money bet in a game where the Bengals are expected to score 28 points, the value on Higgins is too good to pass up. 👉 Add Higgins to score a TD to your betslip on theScore Bet.
🙌 Bet: Anytime TD (+175)
I'm buying the reporting that Chris Rodriguez Jr. will be the Jaguars' short-yardage back, at least early in the season. The former Commander found the end zone six times last year, all of those coming in his final nine games. The Jags are 8-point favorites at home against the Browns and should find themselves in a spot where Rodriguez can rumble one in. 👉 Add Rodriguez to score a TD to your betslip on theScore Bet.
🙌 Bet: Anytime TD (+225)
This one is a bit more of a long shot, but Juwan Johnson should be the Saints' second receiving option behind Chris Olave. He'll face a Lions defense that appears as though it'll be susceptible to the pass, especially with both starting safeties out. That's a boost for Johnson, who will operate in the middle of the field. Detroit also gave up eight touchdowns to opposing tight ends last season, tied for the ninth most in the league.👉 Add Johnson to score a TD to your betslip on theScore Bet.
Jaguars
This week has two clear options: Jaguars and Chargers. However, I'll roll with Jacksonville in Week 1 against the Browns, where it's an 8-point favorite at home. The Jags don't have another likely win on their schedule until Week 10, so burning them now feels like the right time.
The Chargers, on the other hand, play the Raiders in Week 2 and will probably be considered next week before their schedule becomes incredibly difficult until Week 11.
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