The NFL's long-awaited return is finally here. Week 1 is upon us.
The first week of the season features quite a few intriguing showdowns and includes a pair of weeknight games ahead of the Sunday action. First, we have a Super Bowl rematch as the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Wednesday night. Then, on Thursday night, we have an NFC West matchup in the land down under as the Rams face the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.
Sunday's slate also features some potentially premier games as the Bills face the Texans and the Packers begin NFC North play against the Vikings. Sunday Night Football treats us to an NFC East showdown between the Cowboys and Giants, while Monday Night Football pits the Chiefs against the Broncos
as the latter looks to bounce back to playoff form in 2026.
Our expert staff is back this season to give you picks against the spread for every game in Week 1.
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks (Wednesday night)
Opening Line: Seahawks -4.5
Grimes: Seahawks -3
I actually this will be much closer than the SB, but I have Seattle winning. So I'll lay the points with no hook.
Curtis: Seahawks -3
The defending champs make a statement at home with another big win over the Pats.
Zeglinski: Seahawks -3
When the Seahawks are good, Seattle is the NFL's toughest place to play. The Patriots are better than when these two met up in February's Super Bowl. But they're still not better than the Seahawks, who are, at worst, the NFL's second-best team on paper.
D'Andrea: Seahawks -3
Even as a Patriots homer, I don't think they're winning this one.
Nettuno: Seahawks -3
I don't think this one will go much better than the Super Bowl for New England.
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers (Thursday night, in Melbourne)
Opening Line: Rams -2.5
Grimes: 49ers +3.5
The 49ers may never be healthier than they are in Week 1.
Curtis: 49ers +3.5
Some weird things are gonna happen in Australia with the time difference and the fact that it's a Week 1 divisional matchip.
Zeglinski: Rams -3.5
I'm selling early on the 49ers and buying into the Rams' hype machine. Yeah, it's a divisional game, but the sheer top-end talent disparity between these two rivals is noticeable.
D'Andrea: 49ers +3.5
Six of the last dozen games between these two have been decided by a field goal or less. Add in the weirdness of Australia, and you've got good reason to take the points.
Nettuno: Rams -3.5
The Rams are going to cook the Niners like shrimp on the barbie.
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
Opening Line: Titans -1.5
Grimes: Jets +1.5
"Say something nice about the Jets:" they *might* be better than the Titans.
Curtis: Jets +1.5
No faith in either team, which means you take the points.
Zeglinski: Jets +1.5
I see the NFL is getting one of its most forgettable matchups of the season out of the way, right away.
D'Andrea: Titans -1.5
Tennessee should be competent this season!
Nettuno: Jets +1.5
I at least have *some* reasons for optimism about the Jets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals
Opening Line: Bengals -3.5
Grimes: Bengals -3.5
Cincy will get off to a good start for once. Right?
Curtis: Buccaneers +3.5
It feels like a shootout is coming, so I'll take the points and probably the over.
Zeglinski: Bengals -3.5
Cincy might be a bona fide Super Bowl contender if Joe Burrow actually stays healthy this year. The Buccaneers are rudderless, destined to tread water in the mediocre NFC South.
D'Andrea: Bengals -3.5
Cincinnati's been playing its starters in the preseason just for this. But this pick is gonna look stupid if a motivated Baker Mayfield reclaims his 2025 early season comeback magic.
Nettuno: Bengals -3.5
Bad vibes in Tampa Bay this offseason won't translate to a road win against a good team.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Opening Line: Jaguars -7.5
Grimes: Jaguars -8.5
Cleveland's defense is good, but so is Jacksonville's. And the Jags get to play a much worse offense.
Curtis: Jaguars -8.5
The Jags make a big statement on both sides of the ball and win this one with ease.
Zeglinski: Jaguars -8.5
Good lord, Liam Coen is gonna talk so much [expletive] after his team beats up on the cupcake of all cupcakes.
D'Andrea: Jaguars -8.5
Oof.
Nettuno: Jaguars -8.5
The schedule gets tough quickly for Jacksonville, but Trevor Lawrence and this offense should roll in Week 1.
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
Opening Line: Steelers -2.5
Grimes: Steelers -3.5
This has nothing to do about my confidence in the Steelers.
Curtis: Steelers -3.5
It's Tua Time. Yikes.
Zeglinski: Steelers -3.5
The Steelers aren't very good, but they should make light work of Atlanta, which could be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.
D'Andrea: Falcons +3.5
Never underestimate Mike McCarthy's ability to make easy stuff look hard. But also never underestimate the Falcons capacity to disappoint. Man, I dunno on this one....
Nettuno: Steelers -3.5
This defense is gonna have Tua in hell, man.
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
Opening Line: Bears -2.5
Grimes: Bears -3
A lot of hype for the Bears riding into this season.
Curtis: Bears -3
A little uneasy about this one given that Carolina is underrated on both sides of the ball, but if the Bears are a contender, this is a good one for them to win by more than a field goal.
Zeglinski: Bears -3
The Bears' defense is a massive concern, but that's from a long-term perspective against other NFC contenders. It shouldn't be that much of an issue against Bryce Young's glorified, weak popgun offense.
D'Andrea: Bears -3
Ben Johnson's gonna open up with a statement, even on the road against a solid enough opponent.
Nettuno: Bears -3
This isn't going to be an easy win for Chicago, but I think Caleb Williams starts the season with a bang and the Bears get the job done.
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions
Opening Line: Lions -7.5
Grimes: Lions -7
A TD at home should be doable, though I do like the Saints as a playoff sleeper this year.
Curtis: Saints +7
The Lions are good, but the Saints' offense will do just enough to cover.
Zeglinski: Lions -7
The injury bug has bitten the Lions HARD over the last two years. They're due for a positive regression there. They should get a nice blowout win at home to ease into 2026.
D'Andrea: Lions -7
Dan Campbell's gotta come out and prove he left 2025 in the past.
Nettuno: Saints +7
This spread feels just a few points too big. The Lions will still win, though.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
Opening Line: Ravens -4.5
Grimes: Ravens -3.5
Jesse Minter in Baltimore should be fun.
Curtis: Ravens -3.5
The Lamar Jackson MVP campaign starts here.
Zeglinski: Ravens -3.5
Baltimore still has one of the NFL's best rosters! And I think Jesse Minter is the exact change of pace the Ravens needed to keep their current contention window open.
D'Andrea: Colts +3.5
Indy took us by surprise last year, I could see it happening again.
Nettuno: Ravens -3.5
This being on the road is the only thing even giving me slight pause.
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
Opening Line: Bills -1.5
Grimes: Texans +1
Rolling with Houston at home in a bounceback year for Stroud.
Curtis: Texans +1
The Houston defense is back to frustrate opposing QBs, including Josh Allen
Zeglinski: Bills -1
Those Texans weapons are (tugs collar) and C.J. Stroud doesn't look much better. I'm not high on the Bills' playoff ceiling, but something tells me they push an overrated Houston team in their home digs.
D'Andrea: Texans +1
This feels like bettors are paying a premium for who the Bills were, not who they are under Joe Brady.
Nettuno: Bills -1
Great Week 1 showdown. I think Buffalo can score more points, though.
Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders
Opening Line: Raiders -3
Grimes: Raiders -3.5
I don't love it.
Curtis: Dolphins +3.5
Both teams are meh, so I'll back Malik Willis to cover.
Zeglinski: Raiders -3.5
Two of the league's worst teams but I gotta give the edge to Kirk Cousins over Malik Willis. That is a sentence said with zero confidence.
D'Andrea: Raiders -3.5
The Dolphins are gonna be bad this year. The Raiders? Uh, less bad.
Nettuno: Raiders -3.5
I think both of these teams are in for a rough 2026, but the Raiders are further along.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers
Opening Line: Chargers -8.5
Grimes: Chargers -9
A lot of points, but the Cards aren't good.
Curtis: Chargers -9
The Mike McDaniel offensive explosion starts here.
Zeglinski: Chargers -9
The Cardinals are terrible and this is the kind of game the Chargers need to inflate their confidence to start the season. They'll play like it.
D'Andrea: Chargers -9
I don't like laying this many points, especially against Jacoby Brissett with a backdoor cover on the line. But Arizona's in for a rough one.
Nettuno: Chargers -9
Mike McDaniel's debut as the OC in LA is going to be a dominant win.
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles
Opening Line: Eagles -4.5
Grimes: Eagles -4.5
Philly is much better than Washington on paper.
Curtis: Eagles -4.5
Not a fan of the DC vibes right now heading into the season.
Zeglinski: Eagles -4.5
Washington might be on track for another miserable season. For Week 1 alone, that turnstile offensive line should have a long day against the Eagles' defensive front.
D'Andrea: Eagles -4.5
Thanks to the bettors for respecting Jayden Daniels enough to keep this line under 5.
Nettuno: Eagles -4.5
Philly is better and playing at home. Feels like easy money.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Opening Line: Packers -2.5
Grimes: Vikings -1.5
Green Bay could struggle early in the year without Josh Jacobs and Micah Parsons.
Curtis: Vikings -1.5
A Minny field goal at the buzzer seems about right.
Zeglinski: Packers +1.5
Green Bay is usually rather good to start seasons, giving itself a bump in the standings. I don't buy any of the Kyler Murray rescue talk in Minnesota. This Vikings team is mid.
D'Andrea: Packers +1.5
Green Bay has looked great in Jordan Love's season openers. At least the ones on this continent.
Nettuno: Packers +1.5
I'm not really buying what the Vikings are selling entering 2026.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (Sunday Night Football)
Opening Line: Cowboys -2.5
Grimes: Cowboys -3
I need to see how New York's defense looks against a potentially elite Dallas offense before picking them.
Curtis: Cowboys -3
As a Giants fan, I hate this pick. But we need to see what this team looks like before putting faith in them.
Zeglinski: Cowboys -3
Dallas should once again have one of the NFL's most explosive offenses, and Matt Eberflus no longer coordinates the defense. Give me the Cowboys in a comfortable one over an overrated Giants squad.
D'Andrea: Giants +3
Feels like a closer matchup than it should be, but it's also a division game where the home team is laying points. The under feels tempting as well.
Nettuno: Cowboys -3
It's the Giants in a primetime game against a division rival. Need I say more?
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (Monday Night Football)
Opening Line: Chiefs -2.5
Grimes: Broncos +2.5
Tough matchup as Patrick Mahomes looks to work the rust off. I like the points with Denver's defense.
Curtis: Broncos +2.5
It's hard to play at Arrowhead, but Denver seems up to cover or win outright given the questions we have about the Chiefs early in the season.
Zeglinski: Broncos +2.5
Patrick Mahomes' first game off an ACL tear is a Monday night game against the Broncos' defense??? Hoo boy. I'm not one to usually doubt the magician in Kansas City, no matter the circumstances, but this spread might be too small.
D'Andrea: Broncos +2.5
It's gonna be raucous and Kansas City has plenty to prove. But Denver does too, has the better roster and, importantly, can rain hell down upon Patrick Mahomes and his surgically repaired knee.
Nettuno: Broncos +2.5
I think Denver is the more complete team entering the season, and it'll start things off with a divisional win.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL picks against the spread for Week 1 from our expert staff
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