NFL Schedule Release 2025: 15 Best Games to Bet Now
With the 2025 NFL schedule now unveiled, fans can officially start counting down the days until kickoff - and dreaming of a Super Bowl odds run for their favorite team.
Even though Week 1 is still more than three months out, we're already eyeing the 15 best games to bet now for the 2025-26 NFL season, based on the odds at our best sports betting sites.
ð As part of our NFL season predictions, we used ChatGPT to project all 272 games
ð Best early bets on the 2025 NFL schedule
ðīââ ïļ Week 2: Chargers vs. Raiders, Monday, Sept. 15 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
ð Betting favorite: Chargers -3 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 44.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Raiders +3 (-110 via DraftKings)
This is the third iteration of the Pete Carroll-Jim Harbaugh rivalry after they battled it out in the old Pac-10 and the NFC West for years. Now both are looking to keep up in the loaded AFC West with the Los Angeles Chargers set to lean on a revamped run game behind Justin Herbert, led by Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders hope they've found their triplets in Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty, and Brock Bowers.
The stench of years of struggling has the Raiders being overlooked under Carroll and general manager John Spytek, who has completely rejuvenated this roster in one offseason. Vegas is going to be a sneaky tough out all season, and the national will get to see why during the second leg of a Monday Night Football doubleheader.
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ð Week 8: 49ers vs. Texans, Sunday, Oct. 26 (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
ð Betting favorite: 49ers -1.5 (-108 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 45.5 (-115/-105)
ð Early pick: Texans +1.5 (-112 via DraftKings)
Two teams coming off disappointing seasons, this is one of the most intriguing cross-conference matchups of the NFL season. Kyle Shanahan gets to take on his former defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans, as both Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud look to quiet doubters, with both coming off slightly underwhelming seasons.
This will also be a major test for Christian McCaffrey as he looks to return to form against what should be a top NFL defense. But the San Francisco 49ers are being overrated for what they once were, especially after the defense was just 26th in EPA per play last season, making the Houston Texans the team to bet on.
ðĶ Week 12: Seahawks vs. Titans, Sunday, Nov. 23 (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
ð Betting favorite: Seahawks -1.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 44.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Seahawks -1.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
Two new quarterbacks take the field this season for these two teams, but this matchup is far more about what Mike Macdonald and the Seattle Seahawks' defense should be able to do against Tennessee Titans No. 1 pick Cam Ward. While the Titans rebuilt their O-line, Seattle has a plethora of defensive linemen that helped it finish No. 10 in EPA per play on defense last season, and they should be all over Ward throughout this matchup.
Even if the Sam Darnold experience isn't as smooth as the Seahawks brass is hoping for, he should be able to do enough with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp to pull off a decisive win at Nissan Stadium.
âïļ 2025 NFL rivalry games worth betting now
ðŧ Week 2: Bears vs. Lions, Sunday, Sept. 14 (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
ð Betting favorite: Lions -4.5 (-115 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 48.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Bears +4.5 (-105 via DraftKings)
Ben Johnson gets to coach against his former team twice a year, and though the Chicago Bears still have questions at running back, Caleb Williams and this offense are set to be frightening. The additions on the offensive line, plus rookie pass catchers Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III joining DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, should make Chicago one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL.
For as good as the Lions have been under Dan Campbell, expecting them to flawlessly replace Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a huge ask. I'm not saying they'll fall off a cliff, I'd still expect them to win the NFC North, but I do like the Bears' odds at our best sportsbooks to cover in Johnson's first game coaching against Detroit.
ðŠķ Week 13: Bengals vs. Ravens, Thursday, Nov. 27 (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
ð Betting favorite: Ravens -5.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 49.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Ravens -5.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
The Cincinnati Bengals signed their wide receivers to long-term contracts but have spent the last few months ignoring that they need to pay their best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson. Mike Brown's cheapness continues to impact this franchise, despite it having an NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds candidate at quarterback in Joe Burrow. They just aren't in the same stratosphere as the Baltimore Ravens.
Lamar Jackson is coming off arguably his best year in the NFL, Derrick Henry just led the AFC in rushing, and this defense added a top-tier safety prospect in Malaki Starks. Baltimore was No. 1 in EPA per play on offense last year and No. 11 on defense, and Cincinnati would rather save a few bucks than pay the man who led the league in sacks. Everyone can close out Thanksgiving by watching Baltimore beat the Bengals purple.
ðšðļ Week 15: Bills vs. Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 14 (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
ð Betting favorite: Bills -4.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 46.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Patriots +4.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
With Josh Allen set to be an NFL MVP odds favorite once again this season after winning the award last year, the Buffalo Bills will be hard to bet against when it comes to divisional games. However, this New England Patriots team is looking feisty, with Drake Maye expected to take a major leap in year two and Mike Vrabel set to help change the culture in the post-Tom Brady era.
By all accounts, the Patriots have had one of the best offseasons, too. They added playmakers like Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, and TreVeyon Henderson while bolstering the trenches with Will Campbell and Morgan Moses. New England is going to make this a game.
ðš Prime time games to bet before the lines move
ð Season opener (Week 1): Cowboys vs. Eagles, Thursday, Sept. 4 (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
ð Betting favorite: Eagles -7 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 46.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Eagles -7 (-110 via DraftKings)
ð Cowboys vs. Eagles odds and prediction
In the opening game of the NFL season, the Super Bowl champions will take on their hated rival, a team Jerry Jones seemingly runs by throwing darts at a board when it comes to his decision-making. That's the only explanation for why Brian Schottenheimer is taking over as head coach, with Javonte Williams as the lead running back and George Pickens being acquired out of the blue.
Under Howie Roseman, the Philadelphia Eagles have built their roster through the trenches with blue-chip talent while bolstering the skill positions by acquiring proven Pro Bowlers like A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley. With Dak Prescott coming off a season-ending injury, it's a huge ask to believe Dallas will cover in Schotty's debut as head coach.
ð Thursday Night Football (Week 2): Commanders vs. Packers, Thursday, Sept. 11 (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
ð Betting favorite: Packers -1.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 48.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Packers -1.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
This is an early banger of a Thursday Night Football showdown with both Jayden Daniels and Jordan Love looking to break into the conversation as clear-cut top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL. Both of these front offices showed how much they believe in their QBs this offseason, too.
The Washington Commanders brought in Deebo Samuel Sr. and Laremy Tunsil, and spent a first-round pick on Josh Conerly Jr. The Green Bay Packers drafted a first-round receiver for the first time in over two decades (Matthew Golden) and signed Aaron Banks. However, Dan Quinn's defense still has plenty of questions entering year two after finishing No. 22 in EPA per play last season, and Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur should be able to take advantage.
ð Christmas Day (Week 17): Broncos vs. Chiefs, Thursday, Dec. 25 (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
ð Betting favorite: Chiefs -3.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 47.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Chiefs -3.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
ð Broncos vs. Chiefs early odds and prediction
If you ask any non-Kansas City Chiefs fan what the best gift they could receive this year would be, it would likely involve Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes being on the wrong side of a game-deciding call by the officials. But regardless of what side you're on when it comes to the Chiefs-refs controversy, it's hard to bet against KC in prime time, even with the way Sean Payton had the Denver Broncos playing last year.
What better way to close out Christmas than by hitting on a prime time bet, and who could you possibly trust more than Patrick Mahomes? KC bolstered its offensive line by drafting Ohio State's Josh Simmons and returns the vast majority of the players who led the team to the Super Bowl this past season. And I'd expect some sophomore season regression from Bo Nix in an offense that still lacks a game changer.
ð 2025 NFL international games to bet
ðŪðŠ Week 4 (Dublin): Vikings vs. Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 28 (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
ð Betting favorite: Vikings -1.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 42.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Steelers +1.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
The Guinness will be flowing in Dublin, and there may be no better beer drinking fanbases than those of the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers, especially if the black and gold have to suffer through a season of Mason Rudolph starting at QB. However, this game selection and pick are based on the belief that Aaron Rodgers will be Mike Tomlin's QB1 come August.
With Rodgers under center, Pittsburgh looks poised once again to go 9-8 and reach the playoffs, only to be folded like a table in Buffalo. Yet, in September, they'll be playing like a true threat in the AFC North with a loaded defense led by NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds contender T.J. Watt. He and Cameron Heyward will be set to feast on J.J. McCarthy like an Irish stew, as the former first-round pick tries to acclimate to the NFL level.
ðŽð§ Week 7 (London): Rams vs. Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 19 (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
ð Betting favorite: Rams -4.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 47.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Jaguars +4.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
Travis Hunter gets to take his Heisman across the pond, and perhaps the crowd and London will get to see something they never have before: a player playing on both sides of the ball. Could Hunter spend part of this game going toe-to-toe with Davante Adams while catching touchdowns from Trevor Lawrence on the other side of the ball? Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone has implied it's the team's hope the No. 2 pick will be playing both ways as a rookie.
Although the Jags disappointed last season, the addition of Hunter with Brian Thomas Jr. could stress a Los Angeles Rams defense that was just 23rd in EPA per play last season. Lawrence is poised to elevate his game and hang in what could be a shootout against Matthew Stafford. A fun wrinkle is that Gladstone and Jaguars head coach Liam Coen got their NFL starts with the Rams.
ðĐðŠ Week 10 (Berlin): Falcons vs. Colts, Sunday, Nov. 9 (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
ð Betting favorite: Falcons -1.5 (-102 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 44.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Colts +2.5 (-118 via DraftKings)
On the surface, this matchup might seem like Commissioner Roger Goodell is punishing the good people of Berlin by forcing them to watch a game between two of the least inspiring franchises in the NFL. But that's exactly why this is a must-watch, and bet, football game with the Michael Penix Jr. vs. Anthony Richardson/Daniel Jones being as ugly as it is fun, given the pressure on all three former top 10 picks to prove that they're worthy of starting in the pros.
While the Atlanta Falcons have done a tremendous job investing in front seven players for Raheem Morris' defense in the last two drafts, there's a massive hole in the middle of the offensive line that new Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo can take advantage of with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. This game is going to be all about defense and the running game, and I give the Colts the edge.
ð Underrated matchups offering early value
ð― Week 5: Giants vs. Saints, Sunday, Oct. 5 (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
ð Betting favorite: Giants -1.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 42.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Giants -1.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
Any diehard MACtion fan can tell you that it's possible for football games to be so bad that they actually become good, and that's exactly what we're getting this fall when the New York Giants play the New Orleans Saints. If we're lucky, this will be a rookie QB battle between Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough, and if we're unlucky it will be Russell Wilson vs. Jake Haener, and if there really is a football god, we will be blessed with the Jameis Winston revenge game against Spencer Rattler.
Regardless of what we get here, the Giants are in much better shape than the Saints, with a defensive line that could be completely game-changing thanks to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds favorite Abdul Carter teaming up with Dexter Lawrence and Co. New York's pass rush, on top of the playmaking of Malik Nabers, can make the difference against a Saints team that may be more interested in selecting No. 1 in April than winning games in October.
âïļ Week 10: Browns vs. Jets, Sunday, Nov. 9 (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
ð Betting favorite: Jets -2.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 40.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Jets -2.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
Speaking of teams that might be vying to pick a QB atop the NFL draft odds - Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, Fernando Mendoza - the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns both enter the season looking to break out of the purgatory they've both been stuck in for most of this century. However, by Week 10, the Browns will almost certainly be playing one of their rookie QBs - and though Dillon Gabriel was the higher pick, Shedeur Sanders has the best NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds.
The thought of taking on one of those two QBs has got to be music to Glenn's ears as he and Steve Wilks take over a New York Jets defense with cornerstone players like brothers Quinnen and Quincy Williams, and Sauce Gardner. While New York's offense is full of questions, the dynamic running ability of Justin Fields should be fun to watch in the Big Apple, and the former Ohio State star can get some revenge against the Browns' first-round pick out of Michigan, Mason Graham, while he's at it.
ðĩ Week 13: Cardinals vs. Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 30 (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
ð Betting favorite: Buccaneers -3.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | Over/Under: 48.5 (-110/-110)
ð Early pick: Cardinals +3.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
This game is going to be sneaky fun with Baker Mayfield taking on his former backup QB at Oklahoma in Kyler Murray. The two Heisman winners both have the ability to play like top 10 QBs for stretches, but lack the consistency to make either of their teams feel like true threats late in the NFL season. And while Tampa Bay is viewed as the superior team here and the favorite to win the weak NFC South, I expect the Cardinals to make major strides this season.
After deploying one of the most exotic defenses in the league last year to make up for a lack of talent, Jonathan Gannon has a lot more to play with this season. The additions of Josh Sweat, Walter Nolen, and Dalvin Tomlinson alone on the D-line could really elevate the Cards, plus another year of development for Marvin Harrison Jr. could turn him into a superstar. Arizona is going to play playoff teams like Tampa tough all year, even if they stumble to another losing record.
ðŪ 2025 NFL season previews & predictions
Following the NFL schedule release, we broke down the odds for every game and asked AI to predict every game (and more). Below are our team-by-team schedules, odds, and predictions for Week 1 through Week 18.
- NFL Week 1 odds and schedule
- NFL International schedule and odds
- NFL Thanksgiving schedule and odds
- NFL Christmas schedule and odds
- NFL Week 18 odds and schedule
- Best revenge games for the 2025-26 season
â 2025-26 NFL schedule FAQs
ð When does the 2025-26 season start?
The 2025 NFL season will start on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. The Eagles will host the NFL kickoff game on that Thursday night, welcoming the rival Cowboys.
ð When do the 2025-26 NFL playoffs start?
The 2025-26 NFL playoffs will start with the wild-card round on Saturday, Jan. 10.
ð When is the 2026 Super Bowl?
The 2026 Super Bowl is on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
ðĩ Best NFL betting sites
Ready to bet on the NFL this season? Check out our best NFL betting sites and the best sportsbook promos for the 2025-26 NFL season:
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