My First Bet - Week 1 lines and futures to target following NFL schedule release - ESPN

The complete 2025 NFL schedule is out. And we also have odds for every Week 1 game, giving us an opportunity to get a jump on the matchups that draw our attention.

The days following the schedule release also present an opportunity to evaluate updated team win totals and futures to see if there is any early betting value.

So which NFL bets stand out?

We asked our team for the early bets they are making for the new season. Here's what caught their eye.

Odds current as of publication time, courtesy of ESPN BET.

Chicago Bears -1 vs. Minnesota Vikings
8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 8 on ESPN/ABC

Matt Bowen: I'll take the Bears in the Monday night opener at Soldier Field. Let's look at Ben Johnson's offense here, one featuring an upgraded front with key additions in the route tree for quarterback Caleb Williams. Creativity in the call sheet, rhythm throws and explosive play opportunities. Plus, let's not forget about a Chicago defense under new coordinator Dennis Allen that will change the picture post-snap, while using overload pressure to heat up the pocket versus Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who will be making his first pro start. This feels like a Bears winner.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers ML (-135) at Atlanta Falcons
1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 7

Ben Solak: I'll be all over the Buccaneers this offseason. They return all 11 starters on offense and add WR Emeka Egbuka as insurance to account for Mike Evans' age and Chris Godwin's return from injury. They poured resources into the defense post-draft and added Haason Reddick as a pass-rush ringer as well. The Falcons will start Michael Penix Jr., who only has three starts to his name and has yet to see a blitz-happy Todd Bowles defense. Bowles' secondary was shredded by Kirk