NFL Preseason Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders Ready for First Action

• Games will take place Thursday-Sunday and mostly on Saturday

• The Super Bowl champion Eagles will play the Bengals on Thursday 

• The underdog Chargers covered and won outright in the Hall of Fame Game last week

The wait is over. The 2025 NFL preseason officially starts this week as every team around the league makes its return to the field at the same time.

The action will begin with three matchups on Thursday and will conclude with a double-header on Sunday afternoon. While the presumptive MVP candidates are expected to see very little, if any action at all, exciting rookies will showcase their talents for the first time, while veterans will fight to fill out all 32 of the 53-man rosters.

It’s been too long since these words were said: Here are my best bets and predictions for Week 1 of the NFL preseason.

NFL Preseason Week 1 Picks 

• Browns ML (+125) vs. Panthers at FanDuel

• Dolphins vs. Bears -2.5 (-115) at FanDuel

• Titans vs. Buccaneers ML (+105) at FanDuel

• And more…

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NFL Preseason Week 1 Predictions and Odds

Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook. Follow our link to sign up for a FanDuel account and claim the welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

Colts vs. Ravens - Aug. 7, 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Colts -3 (-110), Ravens +3 (-110)

Moneyline: Colts -160, Ravens +135

Total: Over/under 35.5 (-110/-110)

The Colts could feasibly play Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, and Riley Leonard during their first taste of preseason action as they look to resolve their quarterback controversy. The Ravens have less incentive to play their best players, but they were on a 24-game preseason win streak until they only went 1-2 last year.

• Colts vs. Ravens pick: Colts -3.5 (-110) at FanDuel

Bengals vs. Eagles - Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m. ET

Spread: Bengals -2.5 (-105), Eagles +2.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Bengals -130, Eagles +110

Total: Over/under 36.5 (-110/-110)

The Bengals’ defense was abysmal last year, and they have a noticeable lack of depth at important positions throughout their roster. The Eagles are young, but they have more playmakers, particularly on defense. Tanner McKee can go toe-to-toe with Desmond Ridder in a preseason context.

Bengals vs. Eagles pick: Eagles +2.5 (-115) at FanDuel

Raiders vs. Seahawks - Aug. 7, 10:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Raiders -1.5 (-105), Seahawks (-115)

Moneyline: Raiders -120, Seahawks -105

Total: Over/under 36.5 (-110/-110)

The Raiders will kick off the Pete Carroll era by going against his former team. Vegas still lacks depth despite improving its starting unit, while the Seahawks have intriguing rookies and young players who figure to make an impact on this game. Be aware of a potential back-and-forth battle that results in a rare high-scoring preseason game.

• Raiders vs. Seahawks pick: Over 36.5 points (-110) at FanDuel

Lions vs. Falcons - Aug. 8, 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Lions -2.5 (-115), Falcons +2.5 (-105)

Moneyline: Lions -140, Falcons +120

Total: Over/under 33.5 (-110/-110)

The Lions’ quarterbacks were disastrous in the Hall of Fame Game, and their defense wasn’t much better. The Falcons will give Easton Stick and Emory Jones the starting quarterback duties for the matchup, which makes their prospects even worse. Give the team with the preseason reps the advantage.

• Lions vs. Falcons pick: Lions -2.5 (-115) at FanDuel

Browns vs. Panthers - Aug. 8, 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Browns +2.5 (+100), Panthers -2.5 (-120)

Moneyline: Browns +125, Panthers -145

Total: Over/under 34.5 (-110/-115)

Don’t look now, but there could finally be answers given to the Browns’ quarterback dilemma. The Panthers quietly have an ascending roster, but Cleveland’s advantage in young offensive talent at quarterback and running back makes them a stronger choice.

• Browns vs. Panthers pick: Browns ML (+125) at FanDuel

Commanders vs. Patriots - Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. ET

Spread: Commanders +1.5 (+100), Patriots -1.5 (-120)

Moneyline: Commanders +115, Patriots -135

Total: Over/under 34.5 (-115/-105)

Sam Hartman and Josh Johnson are expected to split the quarterback duties, while seventh-round running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has already turned heads. The Patriots are an entirely different team than they were a year ago as Mike Vrabel looks to turn around the culture. This one should be close, but the Pats are a solid pick.

• Commanders vs. Patriots pick: Patriots ML (-135) at FanDuel

Giants vs. Bills - Aug. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Giants +2.5 (+100), Bills -2.5 (-120)

Moneyline: Giants +125, Bills -145

Total: Over/under 36.5 (-105/-115)

As far as the preseason goes, the Giants’ quarterback position is loaded. They’ll juxtapose that with a Bills team that is used to winning football games and that is more cohesive, particularly on defense. I’d recommend looking at the under due to the possibility of turnovers from Mike White and the Bills’ defense.

• Giants vs. Bills pick: Under 36.5 points (-115) at FanDuel

Texans vs. Vikings - Aug. 9, 4:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Texans +1.5 (-105), Vikings -1.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Texans +110, Vikings -130

Total: Over/under 35.5 (-110/-110)

Houston’s defense was excellent last year, and they have several young receivers who will be tough to cover in a preseason game. The Vikings have a former starter in Sam Howell who could get reps but isn’t guaranteed to be a positive. I’d look at the under due to the defensive identities of both teams and the quarterbacks’ propensity to make mistakes.

• Texans vs. Vikings pick: Under 35.5 points (-110) at FanDuel

Cowboys vs. Rams - Aug. 9, 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Cowboys -3 (-105), Rams +3 (-115)

Moneyline: Cowboys -150, Rams +125

Total: Over/under 33.5 (-105/-115)

Joe Milton III looked great in his only appearance for the New England Patriots last year and will get to work with rookie back Jaydon Blue, who reportedly turned heads in camp. The Rams notoriously do not play their starters and veterans during the preseason, and they don’t have impressive depth. A three-point preseason line? No problem for Big D.

• Cowboys vs. Rams pick: Cowboys -3 (-105) at FanDuel

Steelers vs. Jaguars - Aug. 9, 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Steelers +1.5 (-115), Jaguars -1.5 (-105)

Moneyline: Steelers +100, Jaguars -120

Total: Over/under 35.5 (-110/-110)

Will Howard has reportedly been on fire during camp, and Pittsburgh’s defense has tons of pieces. The Jaguars have offensive but not defensive depth that should get significant reps. Watch for the “upset.”

• Steelers vs. Jaguars pick: Steelers ML (+100) at FanDuel

Titans vs. Buccaneers - Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET

Spread: Titans -1.5 (-110), Buccaneers +1.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Titans -125, Buccaneers +105

Total: Over/under 34.5 (-120/+100)

The Titans’ roster overhaul is going to take time, and first-overall pick Cam Ward won’t get many or any reps to help elevate them. The Bucs are a more established team with sneaky depth and potential standouts such as Sean Tucker, Tez Johnson, and Benjamin Morrison. The Bucs could prove to be a savvy pick.

• Titans vs. Buccaneers pick: Buccaneers ML (+105) at FanDuel

Chiefs vs. Cardinals - Aug. 9, 8:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Chiefs -1.5 (-115), Cardinals +1.5 (-105)

Moneyline: Chiefs -130, Cardinals +110

Total: Over/under 35.5 (-115/-105)

While the Chiefs’ depth could be tested during the regular season, players such as Bailey Zappe, Brashard Smith, and Omar Norman-Lott will be pivotal during the preseason. The Cardinals’ muted second- and third-string assembly of talent will face a tough test against not just the talent, but the culture of last year’s league runners-up. The Chiefs look like an intelligent choice.

• Chiefs vs. Cardinals pick: Chiefs ML (-130) at FanDuel

Jets vs. Packers - Aug. 9, 9:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Jets +2.5 (-110), Packers -2.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Jets +115, Packers -135

Total: Over/under 34.5 (-105/-115)

The Packers’ passing game with Malik Willis and Sean Clifford should struggle to make any waves against Aaron Glenn’s defensive team and culture. The Jets also don’t have an impressive preseason offense but have strong defensive depth. This game sets up to be a low-scoring affair with a typical sloppy preseason offense with many players who won’t be on an NFL roster in a month.

Jets vs. Packers pick: Under 34.5 points (-115) at FanDuel

Broncos vs. 49ers - Aug. 9, 8:30 p.m. ET

Spread: Broncos +1.5 (-115), 49ers (-105)

Moneyline: Broncos +100, 49ers -120

Total: Over/under 34.5 (-115/-105)

Sean Payton established a strong culture last year, and his team has a very strong defense and a second-year quarterback with developmental potential in Bo Nix. The Niners could have a sneakily strong, RPO and run-based offense with Kurtis Rourke and Jordan James and a young defense to boot. I like the “chalk.”

Broncos vs. 49ers pick: 49ers ML (-120) at FanDuel

Dolphins vs. Bears - Aug. 10, 1:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Dolphins +2.5 (-105), Bears -2.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Dolphins +120, Bears -140

Total: Over/under 35.5 (-120/+100)

Mike McDaniel seems more and more frustrated with the Dolphins, and I’ll never claim to be a Zach Wilson or a Quinn Ewers believer. Ben Johnson is known to empty out his playbook unnecessarily, and I could see him trying to kickstart his head coaching career with a dominant preseason performance. I love the Bears in this spot.

• Dolphins vs. Bears pick: Bears -2.5 (-115) at FanDuel

Saints vs. Chargers - Aug. 10, 4:05 p.m. ET

Spread: Saints -2.5 (-110), Chargers +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Saints -135, Chargers +115

Total: Over/under 35.5 (-115/-105)

Just like nobody knows who the Saints will play during the regular season, the same can be said about the preseason, which weirdly gives them an advantage. Meanwhile, the Chargers dominated the Lions in the Hall of Fame Game thanks to an excellent showing by Trey Lance. This feels like a potential scoring fest to close out the first week of the preseason.

Saints vs. Chargers pick: Over 35.5 points (-115) at FanDuel