If there’s ever any doubt about how a lot NFL odds captivate the American sports activities betting lots, that uncertainty is put to relaxation every Could.
The schedule comes out, and keen bettors soar on NFL Week 1 odds, although the video games are 4.5 months away.
After all, the NFL contains a number of marquee matchups, which attraction to bettors.
Following the Could 14 launch of the 2025-26 schedule, one sport particularly stands out to Joey Feazel, head of soccer buying and selling for Caesars Sportbook.
“The Sunday night time sport, Ravens vs. Bills, is clearly an enormous matchup,” Feazel stated. “That’s the one which we’re most trying ahead to.”
However there are a lot extra. Feazel helps dive into very early motion in NFL Week 1 betting.
Divisional Drama
The 2025-26 season opens on Thursday, Sept. 4, with the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles internet hosting the Dallas Cowboys. Then on Friday, Sept. 5, it’s the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.
“It’s shocking to see the NFL go together with divisional rivalries in these first two video games,” Feazel stated.
Final yr, Thursday’s season opener pitted the Chiefs vs. the Ravens, and the first-ever Brazil sport had the Eagles assembly the Green Bay Packers. Two seasons in the past, the Chiefs hosted the Detroit Lions within the first sport of the season.
This time round, although, it’s divisional matchups. And the prime-time opener is among the extra well-liked video games, with Philly a 7-point favourite.
“Cowboys-Eagles is taking some motion on Dallas +7,” Feazel stated. “The Eagles are coming off a Tremendous Bowl win, they usually misplaced a few gamers on protection. Additionally they misplaced offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who’s now the pinnacle coach of the Saints.
“So we’re seeing some Cowboys’ cash on the unfold.”
As for the Okay.C. vs. L.A. neutral-site showdown, the Chiefs are modest 2.5-point favorites in Caesars’ NFL Week 1 odds.
“We’re getting some Chiefs motion, each on the moneyline and on the unfold,” Feazel stated, whereas noting Kansas Metropolis will probably be a legal responsibility for oddsmakers in a number of spots this season. “There will probably be loads of large selections betting on the Chiefs this yr, as a result of they’ve eight standalone video games. In order that’s loads of sweats for Caesars Sportsbook.”
Danny Parkins on the 2025 NFL schedule launch
NFL Rocks on FOX
One other divisional sport that can draw some eyeballs and betting consideration: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns on opening Sunday, Sept. 7. FOX will air this AFC North conflict, by which there’s no query that Joe Burrow would be the Bengals quarterback however loads of questions on who’s underneath heart for the Browns.
Deshaun Watson is recovering from an Achilles tear. Joe Flacco returned this offseason as a free agent and Kenny Pickett arrived through a commerce with the Eagles.
From there, it will get rather more fascinating. The Browns chosen Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel within the third spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, then got here again and took Shedeur Sanders within the fifth spherical, with the Colorado QB stunningly sliding manner down the draft board.
“That’s a QB battle that will probably be talked about all through the summer season,” Feazel stated. “Flacco is gonna be serviceable, and Pickett is a QB they paid for to be a backup.
“It’ll be a enjoyable QB competitors. However I don’t count on it to be Sanders or Gabriel. I don’t assume they’ll throw both rookie QB on the market in Week 1.”
The Bengals are 5.5-point street favorites on opening Sunday.
One other Divisional Duel
The Detroit Lions go to the Inexperienced Bay Packers in a Week 1 NFC North battle. Detroit is coming off a shocking upset loss to Washington within the NFC Divisional Spherical.
That’s not all of the Lions misplaced. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to take over as Chicago Bears head coach, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn did likewise for the New York Jets.
“There’s nonetheless a large quantity of expertise on that staff. We’ll see how a lot of an influence Johnson and Glenn had,” Feazel stated.
It’s a toss-up of a sport at Lambeau Area, with Inexperienced Bay a 1-point dwelling favourite.
“There’s not loads of motion but, and I don’t blame bettors. It’s a really shut matchup and needs to be an excellent sport,” Feazel stated.
Eagles vs. Cowboys would be the NFL season opener
Sunday Night time Showdown
As Feazel famous above, Ravens vs. Payments prime the NFL Week 1 oddsboard. Buffalo is a 1.5-point dwelling favourite.
“It’s a large matchup,” he stated. “Motion-wise, it’s fairly balanced. There’s been a bit sharp cash on the Beneath.”
That stated, the Ravens-Payments sport has the best level complete of any Week 1 sport, at 52 factors. So, fireworks are definitely anticipated when the previous two NFL MVPs sq. off. Payments’ QB Josh Allen was named MVP final season, a yr after Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson nabbed his second MVP award.
Patrick Everson is a sports activities betting analyst for FOX Sports activities and senior reporter for VegasInsider.com. He’s a distinguished journalist within the nationwide sports activities betting house. He’s primarily based in Las Vegas, the place he enjoys {golfing} in 110-degree warmth. Observe him on X: @PatrickE_Vegas.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised publication every day!
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
