NFL Week 1 Tips

Week 1 of the NFL season should pack plenty of punch as the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Cowboys to kick things off on Thursday night, and it rounds off with a Monday night clash between teams led by two top-10 draft picks at Soldier Field.

We’ve picked out four of the week’s best bets, including a selection from Cleveland, where Joe Burrow and the Bengals begin their campaign against a Browns side still searching for a starting quarterback.

TIP 1 – PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -8.5 @ 10/11

Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys (Friday, 1:20am BST)

The Eagles begin their title defence at home against bitter rivals Dallas, and they look well placed to make a statement. Jalen Hurts is fully fit, and Philly retained most of their core, including twin passing targets A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

This could be a long night for Dak Prescott, who is back under center for Dallas 10 months on from the hamstring injury that ended his season in 2024.

The Cowboys now have injury concerns on the offensive line and at cornerback, and they’ve lost five of their last six trips to Lincoln Financial Field.

Meanwhile, Philly’s defense ranked top in both opponent yards per play and opponent points per game last season, and they’ve covered the spread in two of their last three divisional openers.

TIP 2 – CHIEFS TO WIN & OVER 46.5 POINTS @ 37/20

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers (Friday, 1am BST – São Paulo, Brazil)

The NFL makes a quick return to South America after last season’s regular season game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.

The match was full of thrills, spills and points as tricky underfoot conditions meant that players slipped up a lot.

This clash should see plenty of scoring too, as it features two of the league’s most explosive offenses.

Kansas City have won four of their last five opening games and are 8-2 against the Chargers since 2019. With Travis Kelce fit and speedy second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy adding a vertical threat, the Chiefs should have too much firepower.

TIP 3 – CINCINNATI BENGALS -5.5 @ 10/11

Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 6pm BST)

Burrow led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season and returns with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both signed to long-term deals. That continuity gives Cincinnati a major edge over a Browns team still undecided at quarterback.

Cleveland’s defence is solid, but they’ve lost four of their last five ‘Battle of Ohio’ clashes with the Bengals and struggled to contain Burrow’s deep-ball accuracy. With uncertainty under center and a new offensive coordinator, the Browns could be slow out of the gate.

The Bengals, meanwhile, have covered in six of their last eight road openers and look well placed to start fast.

TIP 4 – VIKINGS TO WIN & UNDER 44.0 POINTS @ 49/20

Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings (Monday, 1:15am BST)

Two young quarterbacks take centre stage on Monday Night Football as J.J. McCarthy makes his NFL debut for Minnesota, while Caleb Williams begins his second season under a new head coach in Chicago.

The Vikings swept the Bears last year and have won on each of their last five trips to Soldier Field. McCarthy inherits a strong supporting cast, including Justin Jefferson and a top-10 offensive line, while Williams faces a blitz-heavy defence under Brian Flores.

With Jordan Addison suspended and both teams likely to lean on the run early, this could be a cagey affair. Minnesota’s experience and defensive edge should see them through.

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change