Football is right around the corner.
Outside of MLB action, the sports calendar has hit its calmest stretch. The thought of football season feels both close and out of reach, but every day brings us closer to kickoff.
NFL football remains the most consistently bet sport in the country. And the good news is, we can already get an early start on the 2025 season. In addition to divisional and Super Bowl futures, sportsbooks have released Week 1 lines starting with the Thursday night opener on September 4.
After a busy offseason and a high-profile draft, the league is full of new storylines. Fresh quarterbacks, coaching changes, and intriguing rosters are scattered across the map. Week 1 gives us some exciting matchups and early value on the board.
Here are Week 1 lines to bet right now:
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
The Bengals are coming off a season where they started 1-4 and never fully climbed out of the hole. With Joe Burrow healthy and locked in, Cincinnati will be focused on a fast start. They still believe they can return to Super Bowl contention, but that only happens with a better September.
Cleveland enters with more questions than answers at quarterback. Despite some young talent, they are not on the same level as a locked-in Burrow-led offense. Cincinnati went 2-0 against the Browns last year and should handle business again. The Bengals are the better team and should win by a healthy margin.
The Pick: Bengals -5.5
New York Giants at Washington Commanders
This one might not be a headline game, but it offers real betting value. The Commanders were a spread machine last season and made a surprising run to the NFC Championship. That kind of success often leads to early-season regression. Meanwhile, the Giants were 5-12 against the spread and downright ugly on both sides of the ball.
New York reloaded this offseason. They brought in Russell Wilson at quarterback and added key defensive pieces like Jevon Holland, Paulson Adebo, and first-round pick Abdul Carter. This is a team that should look much better right out of the gate. Washington will be a public darling after last year, but getting over a touchdown in a divisional game is too tempting to pass up.
The Pick: Giants +7.5
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams has brought a spark to Chicago. The Bears hired offensive whiz Ben Johnson, upgraded the offensive line, and added explosive weapons in Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. After years of mediocrity, this is a team fans can believe in again.
Minnesota might still be the more balanced roster, but they will be starting a rookie quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. Soldier Field will be electric in Week 1, and the Bears’ momentum may be too much for the Vikings to overcome in the opener.
The Pick: Bears -1
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (Total)
This is one of my favorite totals on the board. These two teams combined for more than 100 points across their two matchups last season. Both offenses were among the most consistent scorers in the league. Detroit scored over 20 points in 17 of 18 games. Green Bay did so in 15 of 18.
Seeing the total open below 50 was a surprise. I expect this number to rise before kickoff. Grab it now before the value disappears.
The Pick: Over 49.5
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are right behind the 49ers as NFC West favorites. Their offense is stacked, especially after adding Davante Adams to pair with Puka Nacua. Matthew Stafford is still capable of leading this team, and Sean McVay clearly wants to win now.
Houston is dangerous but still has questions along the offensive line. If Jared Verse and the Rams pass rush can disrupt C.J. Stroud, it could throw the Texans out of rhythm. The Rams have the firepower to take control at home and start the year with a statement win.
The Pick: Rams -2.5
Final Thoughts
Week 1 lines are one of the best early-season betting opportunities. These numbers are based on projection, not performance, and public money will change some of these lines before kickoff. That creates windows of value for early bettors.
Monitor news, injuries, and training camp buzz. But for now, these picks offer a strong starting point for anyone looking to get ahead of the market.
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