How Is Betting Shaping Up for NFL Week 1?

• Gambling
• 05 September 2025

Last night's NFL season got off to a wild start when a lightning storm caused "spitgate," postponing the Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles game by more than an hour.  CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys then made three unusual passes that helped the Eagles win 24–20.

NFL Season Kickoff Is Wild

As part of the NFL's international tour, the Kansas City Chiefs will play the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, tonight at 8 p.m. EST.  Chargers +145, Chiefs -170 is the moneyline for the ESPN Bet sportsbook.  The Chiefs have defeated the Chargers seven times in a row.

After 13 games on Sunday, the NFL goes into overdrive. On Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings visit Chicago to play the Bears.

The Strangest Trends in Betting

The Chiefs vs. Chargers game tonight, the Giants vs. Commanders game, the Bengals vs. Browns game, the Titans vs. Broncos game, and the Cardinals vs. Saints game are the five most bet games at Caesars Sportsbook.

The game from yesterday night, which will be among the most anticipated of the season, is not included in that.

“Opening weekend is always a heavily bet weekend as the excitement of football returning really reignites with bettors,” said Joey Feazel, Head of Football at Caesars Sportsbook. “Eagles-Cowboys is lining up to be the biggest bet game of the opening week thus far, and we would expect it to lead us in handle as we go through the season.”

The season's highest betted primetime games at Caesars were those from Week 1 of the previous year.  The Packers vs. Eagles game on Friday was in the Top 10, the Rams vs. Lions game on Sunday was in the Top 20, and the Ravens vs. Chiefs game on opening night was their second most bet game of the season.

Observable Line Movement

This week, the Ravens and Bills have switched places at ESPN Bet; the Ravens are now -1.5 after being +1.5 yesterday.  This week, both clubs have been favored by 1.5. On Friday morning, the Bengals/Browns total increased by one point to 48.5.  The Giants, who were +6.5 yesterday (opened +7.5), are now in at +5.5 against the Commanders on Friday morning.  After opening at -2.5 on Thursday, the 49ers are now back at -1.5 against the Seahawks.

Given that Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert are included in nine of the top ten non-TD player props for the Chiefs vs. Chargers game, bettors may be anticipating a quarterback duel tonight. The only non-quarterback prop in the top 10 most bets right now is Ladd McConkey, who has 50+ receiving yards.

The Bengals (at the Browns), Steelers (at the Jets), Lions (at the Packers), and Dolphins (at the Colts) have the most spread tickets of any club playing on Sunday. The top four most bet teams ATS for the Sunday slate are currently away teams.  The Steelers and Bengals, the top two, are favorites on the road.

Most Bet Props

The Chiefs vs. Chargers, Lions vs. Packers, and Bengals vs. Browns games are the most bet games (tickets) at BetMGM.  The Chiefs -3, Steelers -3, and Broncos -8.5 are the most bet teams (tickets).  The Chiefs -3, Broncos -8.5, and Steelers -3 are the most bet teams by handle.

The Lions +115, Chargers +145, Bears +100, Giants +225, and Browns +200 are the most frequently bet underdogs to win (tickets).

Additionally, the most popular props (tickets) for bettors are Austin Ekeler over 21.5 receiving yards -130, TreVeyon Henderson over 20.5 receiving yards -130, Kaleb Johnson over 19.5 rushing yards -110, Elic Ayomanor over 20.5 receiving yards -115, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt over 31.5 rushing yards -110.