NFL preseason Week 1 odds, top stories: Jayden Daniels debut, Caleb Williams uncertain
The NFL preseason is upon us, and the schedule for Week 1 includes every team. With teams using the preseason to test out backup quarterbacks or rookies, betting on the preseason is at best casual fun and at worst a fool’s errand. But the odds can be predictive of what to expect and a way to get invested in games that matter primarily as heralds of what is to come.
The opening odds on BetMGM for Week 1 put Friday’s Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens game as the closest spread, while the opening game on Thursday between the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots has the biggest spread. New England is favored by about a touchdown. Totals are hitting roughly between 33 and 40 points.
Some of the biggest stories to watch for are how the 2024 NFL Draft class performs in their NFL debuts, and several are expected to make that debut this week. Start at the top of the draft with questions of whether the top three picks play and how they perform if they do: Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) and Drake Maye (Patriots).
Williams is still a question mark for the Bears’ first game in Buffalo on Saturday. The offensive line is down multiple starters due to injury and hasn’t been looking great in practice. The Bears are narrow favorites, prior to Williams’ playing status being announced.
Daniels has impressed the Commanders’ coaching staff in the offseason program. His performance, should he take the field, will likely impact the decision on who starts in Week 1 of the regular season. Coach Dan Quinn says he hopes all four quarterbacks at training camp will get snaps against the Jets on Saturday. The Jets, meanwhile, have said they are not playing Aaron Rodgers in at least the first two preseason games, and likely none of them. The Commanders are the favorite here.
Maye is expected to play in the first game of the week when his Patriots take on the Panthers at home. Maye is currently the No. 2 QB behind presumptive starter Jacoby Brissett. We may see all four of the Patriots’ QBs take snaps on Thursday, according to Patriots’ coach Jerod Mayo. The Panthers have said they aren’t playing Bryce Young yet, and the Patriots are significant favorites heading into the game.
Another situation to watch: The Falcons now boast an expensive quarterback in Kirk Cousins, who also says he hopes to play in a few preseason games. It’s much more likely that we see his backup, Michael Penix Jr., get some action. The No. 8 overall pick has been shaky since a strong Day 1 start. The Falcons are favored over the Miami Dolphins in that game.
The Week 1 slate brings us 16 games with a loaded Saturday: two games on Thursday, three on Friday, nine on Saturday and two on Sunday. Several games will be broadcast on the NFL Network, and most will be live on NFL+. For those in a local NFL market, you can see those games carried on local TV affiliates.
(If your team didn’t get a mention above, feel free to profess their worthiness in the comments!)
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NFL Preseason Week 1 schedule and odds
All odds via BetMGM.
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots (Thursday)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
+6.5 |
+240 |
O 33.5 |
|
|
-6.5 |
-300 |
U 33.5 |
Detroit Lions at New York Giants (Thursday)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
+3.5 |
+150 |
O 35 |
|
|
-3.5 |
-185 |
U 35 |
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins (Friday)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-2.5 |
-145 |
O 38.5 |
|
|
+2.5 |
+120 |
U 38.5 |
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (Friday)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-2.5 |
-150 |
O 37.5 |
|
|
+2.5 |
+125 |
U 37.5 |
Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens (Friday)
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-1 |
-120 |
O 34.5 |
|
|
+1 |
+100 |
U 34.5 |
Washington Commanders at New York Jets (Saturday)
Time: 12 p.m. ET
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-2.5 |
-160 |
O 34.5 |
|
|
+2.5 |
+135 |
U 34.5 |
Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills (Saturday)
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-1.5 |
-125 |
O 37.5 |
|
|
+1.5 |
+105 |
U 37.5 |
Las Vegas Raiders at Minnesota Vikings (Saturday)
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-3.5 |
-190 |
O 38.5 |
|
|
+3.5 |
+155 |
U 38.5 |
Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns ( Saturday)
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
+3 |
+140 |
O 39.5 |
|
|
-3 |
-165 |
U 39.5 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (Saturday)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
+4.5 |
+180 |
O 38.5 |
|
|
-4.5 |
-225 |
U 38.5 |
Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars (Saturday)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
+2.5 |
+120 |
O 38.5 |
|
|
-2.5 |
-145 |
U 38.5 |
San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans (Saturday)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
+4.5 |
+200 |
O 38.5 |
|
|
-4.5 |
-250 |
U 38.5 |
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Chargers (Saturday)
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-1.5 |
-125 |
O 35 |
|
|
+1.5 |
+105 |
U 35 |
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals (Saturday)
Time: 8 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-1.5 |
-120 |
O 36.5 |
|
|
+1.5 |
+100 |
U 36.5 |
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday)
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-1.5 |
-120 |
O 37.5 |
|
|
+1.5 |
+100 |
U 37.5 |
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday)
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-4 |
-200 |
O 35 |
|
|
+4 |
+165 |
U 35 |
(Photo of Jayden Daniels: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
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