Week 1 NFL picks are in, and they come with a familiar warning: figuring out opening week is as complicated as it gets. The picks follow a good 2025 season, with hopes of carrying that over, but the admission stands that nobody knows who will be good and who will be bad. New coaches, returning injured players, and the general chaos of Week 1 make these picks tougher than any other week.
The biggest calls include the Rams edging the 49ers in Australia, the Bills finally winning in Houston, and the Seahawks dominating a Super Bowl rematch. All lines come via DraftKings, with all times Eastern.
Rams and 49ers in Australia
The Rams and 49ers meet Thursday night in Australia on Netflix at 8:35 p.m. The Rams are the trendy Super Bowl pick because of all the stars on the roster, but the 49ers have stars as well.
“These two have played a lot of good, close games,” the analysis reads. “This will be no different.”
The pick: Rams 28, 49ers 27.
Seahawks Over Patriots in Super Bowl Rematch
Wednesday night’s opener pits the Patriots against the Seahawks in Seattle at 8:20 p.m. on NBC. This rematch of the February Super Bowl will go much like that game did. The Seahawks will dominate.
“Opening on the road in this stadium is a tough ask for any team,” the analysis reads. “The Patriots’ offense didn’t play well in the postseason and didn’t against Seattle in the Super Bowl.”
The pick: Seahawks 26, Patriots 14.
Bills End the Houston Skid
The Bills have lost their last six meetings in Houston against the Texans. That changes this Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS. Josh Allen hasn’t been himself against that defense, but this Bills team will be much more aggressive.
“That will help against that vaunted Houston front,” the analysis reads. “On other side, the Bills will attack C.J. Stroud, which will lead to turnovers.”
The pick: Bills 23, Texans 20.
Rodgers Starts His Final Season
The Steelers host the Falcons on Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox with Aaron Rodgers starting for the beginning of his final season. The Falcons have quarterback issues with Tua Tagovailoa named the starter, and they are missing their two top pass rushers. That gives Rodgers a chance to start the season right, with the Pittsburgh defense doing the rest.
The pick: Steelers 27, Falcons 17.
Big Wins for Ravens, Jaguars, Lions and Chargers
The Ravens win a high-scoring game in Indianapolis on Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS. Lamar Jackson and the new-look offense will have success on the fast track, and the Colts won’t be able to match that. First-year Ravens coach Jesse Minter faces a tough road game to open the season.
The pick: Ravens 34, Colts 27.
The Jaguars are also confident at home against the Browns. Deshaun Watson starts at quarterback for Cleveland, which will be an issue against an improved Jacksonville defense. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ passing game should have a big day.
The pick: Jaguars 30, Browns 13.
The Lions host the Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox. Jared Goff and the Detroit offense will have a big day, and the venue will make it a challenge for New Orleans and second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. The Saints won’t keep up.
The pick: Lions 33, Saints 21.
The Chargers also get a blowout call. Their new-look offense under Mike McDaniel will be unleashed against the Cardinals on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. on CBS. It should be run heavy, which will help Justin Herbert with play-action shots. The Cardinals counter with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.
“This has the look of a blowout,” the analysis reads.
The pick: Chargers 31, Cardinals 14.
Close Calls and a Bears Road Win
The Jets win a tight one in Tennessee on Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS. The Jets face former coach Robert Saleh, but the game will be about the Jets’ defense against Cam Ward.
“I think the Jets’ defense gets the best of him,” the analysis reads.
The pick: Jets 23, Titans 19.
The Bengals find a way to win a close one against the Buccaneers on Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox. Tampa Bay has injury issues at receiver that could affect Baker Mayfield, and Joe Burrow will face an improved Tampa Bay pass rush.
The pick: Bengals 29, Buccaneers 28.
The Packers edge the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. on CBS. The game comes down to how well the Packers handle Brian Flores’ pressure looks on defense. Jordan Love has been good against the blitz in his career, and the Green Bay defense will manufacture enough pressure to slow down Kyler Murray.
The pick: Packers 26, Vikings 24.
Caleb Williams and the Chicago offense should be ready to make big strides this season. That starts Sunday against the Panthers in Carolina at 1 p.m. on Fox. The Chicago defense has issues, but it will play well enough to find a way to win against Bryce Young.
The pick: Bears 29, Panthers 21.
Week 1 Picks at a Glance
- Seahawks 26, Patriots 14
- Rams 28, 49ers 27
- Steelers 27, Falcons 17
- Ravens 34, Colts 27
- Bills 23, Texans 20
- Bears 29, Panthers 21
- Jaguars 30, Browns 13
- Lions 33, Saints 21
- Jets 23, Titans 19
- Bengals 29, Buccaneers 28
- Chargers 31, Cardinals 14
- Packers 26, Vikings 24
The strategy is simple: survive the early weeks and settle in for October and November. If you can navigate the Week 1 adversity, you have a chance at a good season. The picks are on the board, and the games start Wednesday night.
Source: cbssports.com
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.