The 2026 NFL regular season begins with two standalone games that give bettors an early look at four potential playoff contenders. New England travels to Seattle on Wednesday, September 9, before San Francisco and Los Angeles meet in Australia on Thursday night.
The unusual opening schedule starts with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the Patriots and Seahawks at Lumen Field. Seattle enters the season as the defending champion, while New England gets an immediate opportunity to answer last season’s championship-game defeat. The NFL has scheduled kickoff for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
Patriots Vs. Seahawks Betting Odds
Seattle is a 3.5-point home favorite, with both sides of the spread priced at -110. The Seahawks are also -185 on the moneyline, while a straight-up New England victory pays +160.
The total is set at 44 points, with the over carrying slightly heavier juice at -115 and the under available at -105.
New England Patriots +3.5 (-110)
Seattle Seahawks -3.5 (-110)
New England Patriots +160
Seattle Seahawks -185
Over 44 (-115)
Under 44 (-105)
The line gives bettors an interesting choice between backing Seattle to win outright or laying a relatively manageable 3.5 points. A $185 Seahawks moneyline wager would return $100 in profit, while a $100 Patriots bet at +160 would generate $160 in profit if New England pulls the upset.
There are also reasons the rematch may look different from the Super Bowl. New England added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to Drake Maye’s receiving group while upgrading the offensive line with Alijah Vera-Tucker. Seattle, meanwhile, enters Week 1 with Brian Fleury directing its offense.
We are betting on the Seahawks to cover.
49ers vs. Rams Betting Odds
The second game sends the 49ers and Rams to Melbourne Cricket Ground for the first regular-season NFL game played in Australia. Kickoff is scheduled for approximately 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 10.
Los Angeles is another 3.5-point favorite, although the Rams are priced at -115 against the spread compared with -105 for San Francisco.
San Francisco 49ers +3.5 (-105)
Los Angeles Rams -3.5 (-115)
San Francisco 49ers +170
Los Angeles Rams -200
Over 48 (-115)
Under 48 (-105)
The Rams carry the stronger moneyline price of -200, implying a clearer expectation that Los Angeles will win the game outright. San Francisco backers can get +170, while the 3.5-point spread gives the 49ers some protection if another close NFC West game develops.
The 48-point total is four points higher than the number posted for Patriots-Seahawks, suggesting expectations for more scoring. The over is again priced at -115.
Injury reports could be particularly important before betting this matchup. Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa did not participate in San Francisco’s Monday practice in Melbourne, although McCaffrey indicated his absence was part of a recovery plan and Bosa expressed confidence he would be available for the opener.
We are betting on the Rams to cover.
Opening NFL Odds Provided By Bovada (Sports Betting Legal Bovada Review) | Yahoo! Sports
