NFL Week 1 Sunday Picks
The 2025 NFL regular season is upon us. It kicked off Thursday night in Philly with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles battling past the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys 24-20. There are three more days of football in Week 1, an embarrassment of riches for sports fans as the new season gets underway. A jam-packed schedule on Sunday is highlighted by a whole host of division-rivalry games (including Lions vs. Packers, 49ers vs. Seahawks and Bengals vs. Browns) in addition to Sunday Night Football between the Ravens and Bills.
Here are our best bets for Sunday’s Week 1 lineup:
NFL Week 1 Predictions
- New York Jets +3 (-120) vs Pittsburgh Steelers Click Here to Bet
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns Under 48.5 (-112) Click Here to Bet
- Washington Commanders -5.5 (-120) vs New York Giants Click Here to Bet
PICK #1: Jets +3 (-120) vs Steelers
This is a showdown between two quarterbacks facing their former teams. Of course, this is not a story of some legend returning to his old stomping grounds. Aaron Rodgers’ first of only two seasons in New York ended on the opening drive of the opening game in the form of a torn Achilles’ tendon. Rodgers played a full 17 games in 2024 but was hardly impressive. To say that he won’t be remembered fondly by Jets fans would be an understatement.
Justin Fields may not be anything special, but he at least inspires more confidence than Rodgers. The former No. 11 overall pick was simply a victim of a moribund situation with the Chicago Bears for three seasons, and he played well in limited action last year but mostly sat behind Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh. As the undisputed Jets starter, Fields can find success in an offense that also features Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. On the other side of the ball, cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams should be able to handle an unspectacular Steelers attack. The home side has great value as an underdog.
PICK #2: Bengals vs. Browns Under 48.5 (-112)
Something has to give when the Bengals visit the Browns, because these two AFC North foes could not be more different. Cincinnati boasts an outstanding offense and a terrible defense; Cleveland is saddled with an anemic offense but can keep games close with a strong defense. Given that Sunday’s contest is in Cleveland and also comes at the very start of the 2025 campaign, when offenses may not be in flow, the Browns should be able to control the tempo and turn this into more of a defensive slog than a high-octane shootout.
In two head-to-head encounters last year, a mere 65 total points were scored – 35 in one meeting and 30 in the other. That’s right; Cleveland even had trouble scoring against Cincinnati’s weak defense. The Browns finished dead last in scoring at 15.2 ppg and were No. 28 in total offense in 2024.
PICK #3: Commanders -5.5 (-120) vs Giants
The Commanders compiled a 12-5 record last year and made it to the NFC Championship game. It was a much different story in New York, where the Giants went 3-14. Things may not improve much for Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who is firmly on the hot seat and has his fate in the hands of 36-year-old Russell Wilson under center. That certainly isn’t an envious spot in which to find yourself.
Having to face the Commanders in Week 1 will probably make things even worse. As a rookie, Jayden Daniels passed for 4,568 yards, rushed for 891 and accounted for 31 total touchdowns (25 passing and 6 rushing). The former Heisman Trophy winner for LSU should be even better in year two. There is little reason to think New York can keep up and keep the margin under a touchdown.
