NFL Week 1 Best Bets: NFC North Showdown in the spotlight

Unofficially known as the best time of the year, the 2025 NFL regular season is finally upon us! And we’re excited to promote the action at YouBet.com. Let’s get after it!

Best bets for Week 1 are listed below, odds courtesy of BetMGM, and all times listed as Eastern Standard Time.

Raiders at Patriots, Gillette Stadium, Sunday, 1 p.m.

Since 2019, West Coast teams are 11-2 ATS playing on the East Coast in Week 1. And the Raiders own more offensive firepower, adding Geno Smith and Amari Cooper via free agency and Ashton Jeanty in the draft. Patriots featured the 31st-ranked offense last year and focused on defense during the offseason; they lack skill players, and free agent receiver Stephon Diggs has been questionable recovering from an ACL injury. Raiders start fast with Pete Carroll, who won and covered his first game coaching the Jets (1994), Patriots (1997), and Seattle (2010).

Pick: Raiders (+2.5)

Giants at Commanders, Northwest Stadium, Sunday, 1 p.m.

Commanders turned things around last year (12-5 regular season), winning playoff games vs the Buccaneers and Lions before losing the NFC Championship Game to the Eagles, and it’s easy to forget the dismal opener, being dominated 37-20 by the Buccaneers, before winning seven of their next eight games. Dan Quinn doesn’t believe in playing his best players during the preseason (outscored 109-38 in three games this year). And his teams always start slowly, going 1-6 ATS in Week 1. Giants covered both games vs Washington last year, and divisional underdogs are 62-23-2 ATS in Week 1 and 2 games since 2004. Giants project to have one of the best defenses in the league, and the Commanders ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency last year. We expect a close one.

Pick: Giants (+6)

Niners at Seahawks, Lumen Field, Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

After ranking in the top half of the league in every defensive category, the Seahawks added edge rusher Demarcus Lawrence via free agency to a respected front seven. They will feature one of the league’s best secondaries. The Seahawks boast a strong offensive line, and new quarterback Sam Darnold was sharp in the preseason. Free agent signee Cooper Kupp will complement talented receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Niners lack receivers (either injury or suspension) and will be seeking identity with an overhauled defense. The Niners concluded last year on a 1-8 ATS slide, going 1-6 ATS in the last seven games vs AFC West opponents, and Kyle Shanahan was 3-5 ATS in Week 1. Week 1 divisional home underdogs are 23-7 ATS since 2010, including 10-2 ATS since 2018, and the Seahawks are 9-1 straight up when opening the season at home since 2000, winning twice as home underdogs.

Pick: Seahawks money line (+115)

Lions at Packers, Lambeau Field, Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

With little margin for mistakes, with both teams featuring outstanding defenses, points will be at a premium. After ranking fourth in total defense, the Packers figure to receive a boost from the addition of Micah Parsons. Lions’ seven-ranked defense will get key players back from injury, including Aidan Hutchinson, and may need to lean on the stop unit after losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Jared Goff has gone 8-0 ATS in openers, and the Lions are 12-3-1 ATS vs the Packers since 2017, 5-1-1 ATS in the last seven games. But the Packers are 7-0 ATS at home in the first three games of the season since 2019. We like the under.

Pick: Under 47.5

Wagers

We will play two units on the Seahawks moneyline (+115), the best bet of the week.

The following plays are one unit: Raiders (+2.5), Giants (+6), and Under (47.5) Lions-Packers.