NFL Week 1 Bets: Odds, Picks, Predictions, Including Vikings-Bears
With the NFL schedule release behind us, there’s no better time to begin handicapping NFL Week 1 bets. The highlight of the slate is Chiefs vs. Chargers in Brazil, the first of seven international games amid the 2025-26 campaign. There are also eight divisional games on the docket, along with a doozy of a rematch between the Bills and Ravens on Sunday Night Football. Let’s delve into a couple of Week 1 bets I’m considering.
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NFL Week 1 Bets & Odds
Potential Week 1 Bets: Titans at Broncos () Odds
This contest is a classic handicap of a rookie signal-caller making his first start on the road. Cam Ward’s debut outing comes at Empower Field at Mile High against a unit that may represent the league’s best at season’s end. The Broncos reeled in first-round pick Jahdae Barron, who will play opposite three-time Pro Bowl corner Patrick Surtain II. If their returnees are healthy, merged with Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw playing to their pre-2023 talent level, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph should give Ward fits in high altitude.
Titans at Broncos Odds: Spread, Moneyline, Total
Potential Week 1 Bets: Vikings () at Bears Odds
How will J.J. McCarthy look in his first regular-season test after missing his entire rookie campaign? Will Caleb Williams quickly adapt to Ben Johnson’s offensive scheme? Given the continuity on the Vikings’ coaching staff — juxtaposed with the Bears’ fresh-faced set of trustees — I’m more willing to bet on the former on Monday Night Football.
Not only did Minnesota address its protection issues by adding three new starters along the interior of its offensive line, but it will also face a defense that ranked 31st in success rate allowed from Week 10 through the end of the 2024-25 season.
Vikings at Bears Odds: Spread, Moneyline, Total
Bet On Vikings Futures Odds?
Considering that AFC teams have an extra home game this year, home-field advantage wasn’t projected as a positive for Minnesota. However, replacing two road matchups with consecutive international tilts is a blessing in disguise.
Those are two winnable contests, squaring off against the Steelers and Browns. Extra win equity can go a long way toward winning the highly competitive NFC North or possibly attaining the top seed in the conference. The Vikings do have a Week 6 bye on account of playing games in Dublin and London before taking on the Eagles in U.S. Bank Stadium.
The only negative aspect of the Vikings’ schedule is that they will battle the Lions in Week 9 after their bye.
In the last three years, the team with the previous season’s NFL Coach of the Year (Kevin Stefanski, Brian Daboll, Mike Vrabel) has gone under its win total. At the moment, I’m unwilling to buy into that trend for Minnesota.
- Related: Bet On Patriots Odds After NFL Schedule Release?
Minnesota Vikings Betting Odds
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