NFL Week 1 Staff Picks: Best Bets & Props from our NFL Staff
Written by: Daniel Collins
Published: Sat Sep 12, 2026, 8:42 pm ET
Read Time: 8 minutes
nfl
The NFL is BACK! The season has kicked off and Week 1 gets fully loaded on Sunday!
There are some fantastic matchups on this Sunday slate to start the season and lots of money to be made.
Below, our Team here at Betting News is going to give their BEST BETS for the Week 1 NFL Slate. Whether it is a Spread, Moneyline, Total or Player Prop, this is your go to article every week for our team's favorite bets!
Here is the Squad's Record for the whole of last season.
Last Season Results: 149-102-1 of All Picks -120 or better odds
Daniel Collins (SPJ): 15-6
Chef T: 11-10
Nate Hornung (Shaggy): 11-10
Varun Sharma (Sauce): 15-5-1
Brad Blakemore (Betzky): 14-7
Tristan Vieira (Trizzy): 14-7
Sukh Brar: 11-10
Justin Carlucci: New this season
PJ Glasser: New this season
Tones Takes: New this season
Betting the Pitch: New this season
BetAlytics: New This Season
Brandon Pham: New this season
Alex Bohling: New this season
Jackson McNeese: New this season
The plays will be tracked weekly right here for you to follow along!
Now let's dive in to the Betting News Experts' Best Bets for NFL Week 1!
All Odds available at Lucky Rebel, the industry leader in the Sports betting Market.
Daniel Collins (SPJ) NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Derrick Henry should start the season strong against Indianapolis
Derrick Henry o79.5 Rush Yards (-115)
Listen, if you know me, you know I love betting the King. But, in this spot against the Colts, I just have to do it to start the season.
I think there could be a big step back from this Colts team this year, especially on the defensive side. On the other side, I think the Ravens offense could be one of the top units in the sport.
Added cherry on top? Derrick Henry LOVES having big games against the former AFC South foe in Indianapolis. When Henry was with the Titans, he always had a bit of extra fire when taking on the boys in Indy.
Big season loading for the workhorse back and it starts in Week 1.
Chef T NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Chris Olave Touchdown (+155)
Love this spot for Olave. He commands 40% of New Orleans' projected targets and 31% of their realized red-zone targets, while Detroit allowed 1.29 WR touchdowns per game last season and surrendered 18% of its TDs on deep shots — in a 49.5-total game where the Saints are +7 and should be throwing.
Nate Hornung NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Off week on Paternity Leave! Back next week!
Varun Sharma NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Michael Mayer o39.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
The Las Vegas Raiders just signed Michael Mayer to a 3-year extension at $15 million a year and it wasn't to just be the team's backup TE.
Mayer was great in four games last year without Brock Bowers. He averaged 6.0 targets, 4.5 receptions and 49.0 yards per game. He did that with Geno Smith and Aiden O'Connell under center; he did it with Pete Carroll on the sidelines calling plays.
The Raiders added one of the hottest offensive minds in football (Klint Kubiak), they brought in Kirk Cousins to start on Day 1 and this offensive line looks significantly better.
Mayer is going to be a big part of this offense.
Tristan Vieira NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Joe Burrow and company should be able to get aggressive against this Bucs defense
Bengals/Buccaneers o49.5 (-110)
These defenses haven't improved, if at all. The Return of Joey B, completely healthy, and Baker Mayfield, fresh off signing his new contract. Both have high powered offenses.
This looks like a shootout.
Sukh Brar NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3.5 (+100)
Baker gonna bake. I'm tired, chat.
Brad Blakemore NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Kyler Murray o23.5 rushing yards (+100)
Since his rookie season in 2019 Muarry has averaged 29.7 rushing yards or more (much more) in every season. His career average is 36.6. Yes, the Packers are tough.
But this is Murray's chance to prove the haters wrong in Week One vs a division rival. This line feels stupid low.
Justin Carlucci NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Kyle Monangai anytime touchdown at +230 is one of my favorite Bears vs. Panthers player props.
Monangai missed time during camp after suffering a knee injury, but he returned to practice before the opener. His health is worth monitoring, but the pricing is too appealing to ignore if he is active and available for his regular role.
Swift is the clear favorite to score at -143, and he should lead Chicago's backfield in overall touches. But touchdown betting is not always about playing the obvious favorite. It is about identifying players with a realistic role near the goal line at a number that gives you room for error.
Monangai filled a meaningful complementary role behind Swift last season and played 50% of Chicago's available snaps inside the 5-yard line when he was active.
PJ Glasser NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Browns +8.5 (-110)
It's been nothing but bad for the Browns this offseason and with Watson starting nobody wants to bet them.
That makes me want to.
Beware of Jags in survivor pools I think this game could be closer than people think.
Tone's Takes NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Cade Otton over 3.5 Receptions (+120)
Tight Ends pose probably the best value in all of sports betting. Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton faces a fantastic matchup in week one. The Bengals allowed the most receptions to tight ends in the NFL last season. Mike Evans is no longer in Tampa and Egbuka is battling a toe injury. That should leave plenty of room for Otton, who averaged 4.2 recs on 5.8 targets over his final 12 games last season.
Bonus play:
Tone over 3.5 cigars -120
First Sunday, he's a degenerate, be shocked if this stays under.
Betting the Pitch NFL Week 1 Best Bets
Josh Allen o30.5 Rush Yards (-115)
Josh Allen has struggled against Houston throughout his career, going 0-4 against the Texans with a 30% completion rate.
This Houston secondary is nails, and that defensive line is going to be in Allen's face all game long. If the Bills are going to find a way to win this game, I think it's going to have to come on the legs of JA17.
BetAlytics NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Bears/Panthers Over 47.5 (-110)
Bears defense enters with secondary depth concerns and notable overall yardage vulnerabilities that leave them susceptible to big passing plays. On the other side, Carolina's defense routinely struggles on late downs and allows substantial rushing production, opening the door for sustained scoring drives.
Combined with a lack of consistent pass-rush pressure from both front sevens, both quarterbacks should have ample time to operate and push the score comfortably over 47.5.
Brandon Pham NFL Week 1 Best Bet
It's time for Justin Jefferson to have a HUGE bounce back season.
Justin Jefferson o73.5 Receiving Yds (-114)
Jefferson is Kyler's most dependable target. You also have to keep your stars happy, the Vikings will look to feed Jefferson this year after a subpar season last year.
Alex Bohling NFL Week 1 Best Bet
Saquon Barkley o77.5 Rushing Yards (-111)
In the 2025-26 season, the Washington Commanders allowed 141.5 rushing yards per game. Through the offseason, the Commanders added some pieces; however, I don't think it's enough to stop this Eagles' ground game.
In their previous matchup in Week 17 last year, Barkley ran for 132 yards on 21 carries and a TD.
Jackson McNeese NFL Week 1 Best Bet
NY Jets ML (+100)
I really like what the Jets have brought into the organization. An improved offensive line, an upgrade at quarterback, Minkah Fitzpatrick and a commitment to youth. Robert Saleh has only won, 1 opening game as a head coach and it took a miracle kick return.
While the Jets will not be a good team they will be good enough on Sunday to beat the Titans.
Enjoy NFL Week 1!
You can also check out more free picks & analysis from every NFL Week 1 Matchup!
More NFL News
Also, get the best odds & all the up to date lines across all sports right here at Betting News!
You can follow us at Betting News on X/Twitter for all of our sports betting content. You can also watch us on the Betting News Network multiple times a day, streaming on Twitch & Youtube!
Also subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Looking for a great promo for a new sportsbooks? Check out all the various sign-up bonuses & reviews we have for numerous sportsbooks, available everywhere!
Daniel Collins is a sports fanatic and data-driven bettor. He has expertise in the NFL, NBA, and NHL. He’s a big fan of the Titans #titanup, Predators #predators and Arsenal #coyg. If he isn’t watching, betting on or writing about sports, he loves the outdoors, traveling, strong coffee and delicious food. You can follow him on X @SweatpantJesus. Peace and Love
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.