Week 1 bets and futures to target following the NFL schedule release - ESPN

The complete 2026 NFL schedule is out, and odds for every Week 1 game are already available.

The regular season is still months away, but we didn't let that stop us from taking an early look at the numbers to see if anything jumped out from a betting perspective.

It also gives us a chance to revisit team futures that may have drawn our attention.

So, what matchups stand out? Which bets are worth consideration right now?

We asked Matt Bowen, Pamela Maldonado, Ben Solak and Seth Walder for their early takes. Here are the bets that caught their eye.

Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (-2.5, 48.5)
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
8:35 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 10

Bowen: Under 48.5

I'll bet the under in this one. Common opponents from a scouting (and coaching) perspective. Two defenses that ranked top 15 in scoring last season. The Rams made big-time upgrades in the secondary with cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, too. And I think it's always smart to bet on defense early in the season. It takes time for offenses to find a sense of rhythm in live game action. Plus, this matchup is in Australia. Long trip. Time change. Unfamiliar playing surface. Lot of factors here.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5, 44.5)
1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 13

Walder: Buccaneers +3.5

I'm just playing the number here. Straight up I'd pick the Bengals, sure, but getting a field goal and a hook? I can get behind Todd Bowles delivering enough pressure to throw Joe Burrow off his game in the season opener to keep it close. Plus, for as much as we write off Cincinnati's 2025 because of Burrow's injury, I'll just point out that when Burrow was on the field