NFL Week 1: Bold Bets & Surprise Picks

As the NFL kicks off its 2026 season, Week 1 presents a landscape of both familiar predictions and potential surprises.

Saquon Barkley is a prominent bet, with a history of strong rushing performances against the Commanders, aiming for another over 100 yards. His new team, the Philadelphia Eagles, boasts a revamped run game and a healthy offensive line, while Washington faces depth concerns in its linebacking corps.

Derrick Henry is also expected to deliver a solid performance for the Colts against the Ravens. Despite a healthy DeForest Buckner for the Colts, questions linger about their linebacker depth. The Ravens' offensive line improvements and new offensive coordinator's focus on under-center plays could benefit Henry.

Another notable bet involves Cam Ward and Geno Smith each throwing at least one interception. This wager also highlights the Jets' defensive goal of recording their first interception in years, a statistic that was zero for the entire 2025 season.

In a projected low-scoring affair, the Browns-Jaguars game is targeted for an UNDER 40.5 total points, with concerns about both offenses, particularly Deshaun Watson's recent form and the Jaguars' run game.

Finally, the Denver Broncos are surprisingly favored on the moneyline against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, leveraging a strong recent record against the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes' history of struggling against Denver's defense.