Our staff is focused on five of Sunday's biggest games for its NFL predictions in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
First, we'll focus on the NFC South blockbuster between the Buccaneers and Falcons. We have another pick the NFC East clash between the Giants and Commanderss, plus Cardinalss vs Saints and Panthers vs Jaguars.
To top it off, we have a Lions vs Packers spread prediction from Brandon Anderson. Micah Parsons could be making his Packers debut in that game, while we'll see what the Lions offense looks like without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Let's dive into our experts' NFL predictions for the Sunday slate on September 7.
NFL Predictions, Week 1 Picks
- Buccaneers vs Falcons Spread Pick: Falcons +2
- Buccaneers vs Falcons Over/Under Pick: Over 47
- Cardinals vs Saints Spread Pick: Cardinals -5.5 (-120)
- Giants vs Commanders Spread Pick: Giants +7 (-115)
- Panthers vs Jaguars Over/Under Pick: Over 46.5 (-105)
- Lions vs Packers Spread Pick: Packers -1.5
Buccaneers vs Falcons Against the Spread Pick
Falcons +2
By Kyle Murray
This is a good spot for the Falcons, who enter the season as underdogs at home against a division opponent.
Despite it just being Week 1, this Bucs team is dealing with a ton of injuries — two of their top four WRs (Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan) are out, and their top TE (Cade Otton) and backup RB (Sean Tucker) have been dealing with injuries.
This will also be the Bucs' first game without their standout OC Liam Coen, who left for the Jacksonville head coaching gig.
Pick: Falcons +2
Buccaneers vs Falcons Over/Under Prediction
Over 47 (-110)
By Chris Prince
This is one of my favorite game environments on this opening weekend, and I think we get some fireworks in this one right out of the gate.
Over their last three meetings, the Falcons and Buccaneers have combined for 57, 66 and 54 points, and I don't see a ton of additions to either defense that make me think we can't see a similar outcome to kick off this season in Week 1.
Both offenses look strong, with Baker Mayfield taking a huge step last season for Tampa Bay, along with Bucky Irving making splash plays as the featured running back. The Bucs added first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
On the Falcons' side, Michael Penix Jr. had a few games to show what he can do, and the team averaged 32 points in those three games.
This will be one I also look for alternate totals to access some higher returns as well, but even if you don't wanna hit the alt market, look for these two teams to light up the scoreboard.
Pick: Over 47 (-110)
Cardinals vs Saints Against the Spread Pick
Cardinals -5.5
By Kyle Murray
I certainly would not classify myself as a huge Cardinals backer, but I think they are the much better team in this matchup — the Saints could easily find themselves in the hunt for the worst record in the NFL this season.
Spencer Rattler was named New Orleans' Week 1 starter, and while he did get some experience at the end of last year, it was not pretty as he threw for just four TDs in his seven games and averaged 5.8 yards per attempt.
The Cardinals had a middle-of-the-pack defense last year, but I still expect Rattler to struggle against them as they also made some nice moves on the defensive side of the ball over the offseason.
Pick: Cardinals -5.5 (-120)
Giants vs Commanders Against the Spread Pick
Giants +7 (-115)
I think the Giants are going to be sneaky competitive this season, even if they don't ultimately win games with their brutal schedule.
The Giants defense should be quite good with their elite defensive front. Malik Nabers is an absolute superstar on offense, and even in his old age, Russell Wilson is a pretty massive upgrade at QB over Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock.
Pick: Giants +7 (-115)
Panthers vs Jaguars Over/Under Pick
Over 46.5 (-105)
By Brit Devine
After watching the first two games this season, I think the totals on a few games look too low given some of the new rules, along with some team-specific metrics.
With touchbacks now going to the 35-yard line, I think most totals look low in general. With how good kickers are, one first down and teams are already close to being able to put points on the board.
The new focus on taunting also seems like a good way for big defensive plays to get wiped off the board. So if I think totals are low in general, we want to be taking overs in games that look like they have a possibility of turning into a shootout.
With coaching changes for the Jaguars (notably Liam Coen at head coach), the addition of rookie Travis Hunter and last year's rookie breakout of Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars should be able to make a big leap.
At the end of last season, we also saw Panthers QB Bryce Young start to finally put it together after a rough start to his NFL career.
The Panthers added a top WR in the draft (Tetairoa McMillan) and should be much more competitive than most are thinking.
With both defenses looking questionable at best, this line just feels off to me. I would play this to 47.5.
Pick: Over 46.5 (-105); Bet to Over 47.5
Lions vs Packers Against the Spread Prediction
Packers -1.5
The Lions offense took three major blows this offseason. Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler are huge losses on the offensive line, and the other loss was off the field with the departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. New OC John Morton has huge shoes to fill, and the Lions could take a significant step back on offense.
Jared Goff has also struggled outdoors, and he didn't play in the preseason, so he'll take snaps from a new center, which isn't ideal.
That's not all.
The Lions defense does not enter the season healthy. Aidan Hutchinson is still working his way back from injury, and Detroit's defensive tackle rotation is a mess with Alim McNeill still out.
The Packers just added Micah Parsons, and it's an even bigger problem that Detroit has no film on how the Packers will utilize their new joker against this reworked offensive line.
Road underdogs of six or less that made last year's playoffs are just 17-32-3 ATS in Week 1 over the last two decades. When books know a playoff team should be an underdog, that tells us all we need to know.
Take the Packers to win and cover anything under the key number.
Pick: Packers -1.5; Bet to -2.5
