As the 2025-26 NFL season draws closer, sportsbooks have already begun shifting lines based on early betting patterns and roster developments.
The first week of NFL action is packed with heavyweight clashes, but beneath the surface, a few under-the-radar teams and unexpected line movements are stirring interest.
From updated Super Bowl futures to the latest Week 1 odds, there’s plenty to dissect for those tracking the pulse of the NFL betting market.
Big Names, Bold Lines: Week 1 Opens With Fireworks
The season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles instantly stands out.
Philly, coming off a dominant Super Bowl victory, opens as a 7-point favorite at home. It’s a large spread for an opening week clash between two divisional rivals, especially with the Cowboys expected to be playoff contenders.
NFL odds reflect that early confidence in the defending champs, but divisional games often defy expectations.
Another headline matchup features the Chiefs heading to Los Angeles to face the Chargers. Kansas City sits as a modest 3-point favorite on the road, indicating some skepticism after their underwhelming Super Bowl performance. Bettors seem to be tapping the brakes on Patrick Mahomes and company, at least for now.
Meanwhile, the Sunday slate is jam-packed. The Ravens are slim 1.5-point favorites at Buffalo, a game that could carry early playoff implications. Similarly, San Francisco visits Seattle, laying just 1.5 points in what has historically been a hostile environment for the 49ers.
Shifting Tides: Bears and Steelers Move the Needle
Despite not being marquee matchups, two contests have already seen substantial betting action: Chicago vs. Minnesota and Pittsburgh vs. the New York Jets. Reflecting current NFL betting data and trends, the Bears have flipped from slight underdogs to 1.5-point favorites.
This reversal shows bettors’ growing confidence in Chicago’s rebuild, possibly influenced by a favorable schedule and emerging young talent. Likewise, the Steelers have drawn early money, moving from -3 to nearly -3.5 on some books.
Rumors of a veteran quarterback addition (specifically Aaron Rodgers) appear to be fueling this line movement. These early adjustments underline how much influence public sentiment and offseason rumors can have before a snap is even played.
Hall of Fame Game: A Tight Spread Tells the Story
In the preseason curtain-raiser, the Chargers and Lions open with near-even lines. Most books list Detroit as slight 1.5-point favorites, with some variation based on sportsbook. A game that’s often more about evaluating rookies than outcomes, the tight line suggests oddsmakers aren’t giving either team a significant edge.
Detroit, with high hopes this season, may use this early opportunity to showcase their depth. That said, bettors know the preseason is notoriously unpredictable, making sharp wagers tough to pinpoint.
Super Bowl Futures: Familiar Names, Evolving Favorites
The futures board is loaded with familiar faces, but also a few eyebrow-raising figures. The Eagles remain the clear favorite to win Super Bowl 60 at +650, holding firm even five months after their Super Bowl blowout over the Chiefs. That consistency shows just how dominant Philly’s roster appears on paper.
Trailing close behind are the Ravens and Bills, both sitting around +700. Detroit follows at +1000, which reflects rising confidence in their ascent.
Interestingly, San Francisco, despite playing one of the league’s weakest schedules, has slid to +2000, tied with Cincinnati and the Rams. Public interest appears muted despite a clear path to playoff positioning.
Among long shots, the Buccaneers stand out. At +3000, they’re one of the least-bet-on teams. Yet they feature a revitalized Baker Mayfield, an elite offensive line, and a quietly improving backfield. If Tampa takes advantage of a soft NFC field, that number could shrink in a hurry.
Betting Markets Favor the Offseason Buzz
Quarterback signings are clearly shifting expectations. Pittsburgh’s odds, for example, halved from +8000 to +4000, partly driven by rumors around the acquisition of Rodgers. Even without on-field proof, bettors are reacting quickly to team moves.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ lukewarm futures odds, hovering around +750 to +800, signal fading enthusiasm after their Super Bowl no-show. Once the darlings of the betting world, Kansas City may need to prove themselves early this season to restore public trust.
Also noteworthy: Green Bay and Washington sit at +2200. That puts them in a surprisingly favorable tier, considering their inconsistent performances last year. Oddsmakers may be pricing in upside from young quarterbacks and improved coaching staffs.
Week 1 Sneaky Spreads and Notable Underdogs
Several spreads stand out as value plays based on public perception.
The Vikings opening as underdogs to the Bears (+1.5) might surprise some. Minnesota finished last season with a better record, but early wagers are leaning toward a surging Chicago team.
The Colts are home underdogs against the Dolphins, getting 1.5 points. This one could swing based on quarterback performance in the preseason, but Indianapolis might have more firepower than expected.
Another eye-opener: the Buccaneers are favored over the Falcons by 2.5. Bettors appear to believe in Tampa Bay’s offensive weapons more than Atlanta’s defense. That, or there’s residual doubt about the Falcons’ quarterback situation.
Finally, the Commanders laying 7.5 at home against the Giants is one of the widest spreads in Week 1. While New York’s offense remains a work-in-progress, that number feels aggressive for a divisional rivalry.
Futures Market: Who’s Overvalued, Who’s Forgotten?
Outside the top contenders, some teams seem overpriced.
Denver, for instance, started at +3000 but is now around +4000, despite decent early action. That drop suggests some rethinking about their actual ceiling.
At the other end, the Rams at +2600 and Bengals at +2000 may be undervalued. Both have playoff-caliber rosters and proven quarterbacks. If they start hot, these prices won’t last long.
Also, don’t sleep on San Francisco. Weak schedule, strong roster, and a pair of breakout rookies in the pipeline, yet few are buying in. Their current +2000 tag feels like a buying opportunity before the market catches up.
Wrapping Up the Numbers
Betting lines and Super Bowl futures offer a revealing glimpse into both public perception and oddsmaker expectations. Week 1 spreads highlight not just anticipated outcomes but also which teams are generating early confidence, and which ones still need to prove themselves.
The betting world may slow through August, but the foundation has already been laid. With opening odds fluctuating and futures shifting daily, it’s clear the 2025-26 NFL season has surprises in store before the first snap even happens.
*Content reflects information available as of 2025/08/05; subject to change.