2025 NFL Preseason: Week 1 Rumours, News, Betting Notes
Now that August is here, Week 1 of the preseason is set to begin this week, and the storylines are plentiful.
Over the next couple of weeks, teams will prepare for the upcoming season by getting their rookies up to speed, implementing new schemes on both sides of the ball and making last-minute roster additions to bolster their squad.
Notable matchups to watch include the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Commanders are set to take on the Patriots and the Rams will host the new-look Cowboys.
Let’s get into the odds for Week 1 of the preseason, plus the latest NFL news, rumours and predictions.
NFL Preseason Week 1 betting odds
Thursday, August 7
Colts -2.5 (-110) vs Ravens +2.5 (-110)
Bengals -1.5 (-110) vs Eagles +1.5 (-110)
Raiders +1.5 (-120) vs Seahawks -1.5 (+100)
Friday, August 8
Lions -1.5 (-102) vs Falcons +1.5 (-118)
Browns +2.5 (-105) vs Panthers -2.5 (-115)
Commanders (-105) vs Patriots -1.5 (-115)
Saturday, August 9
Giants +2.5 (-110) vs Bills -2.5 (-110)
Texans +2.5 (-110) vs Vikings -2.5 (-110)
Steelers +1.5 (-115) vs Jaguars -1.5 (-105)
Cowboys -2.5 (-120) vs Rams +2.5 (+100)
Titans -1.5 (-105) vs Buccaneers +1.5 (-115)
Chiefs -1.5 (-110) vs Cardinals +1.5 (-110)
Jets +1.5 (+100) vs Packers -1.5 (-120)
Broncos +1.5 (-120) vs 49ers -1.5 (+100)
Sunday, August 10
Dolphins +2.5 (-110) vs Bears -2.5 (-110)
Saints -2.5 (-105) vs Chargers +2.5 (-115)
The teams to keep an eye on are always the ones who might have more motivation. That includes the likes of the Browns, who have rookie QBs Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel looking to impress, while both Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston should look to come out hot for the Giants against the Bills.
NFL Preseason Week 1 latest news and rumours
There is no shortage of compelling stories swirling around the NFL heading into the opening week of the preseason, and it all starts in Dallas with All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons requesting a trade in recent days.
The Cowboys are always a franchise that delivers the drama, and Parsons’ request comes after a period of unsuccessful contract negotiations with Jerry Jones and Dallas’ front office.
As of now, there’s no telling if Jones actually honours the trade request, but most signs would still point to Parsons playing for the Cowboys in Week 1 next month.
Other than that debacle in Dallas, the other notable contract negotiation snafu comes in Buffalo, where James Cook is seeking a new contract after his stellar 2024 campaign.
Following a season in which he finished with 18 total touchdowns, Cook appears to be seeking a long-term deal, while the Bills are hesitant to dish out a big contract for their star running back after signing a myriad of players to extensions this offseason.
NFL Preseason Week 1 betting predictions and info
Dallas Cowboys -2.5 (-120) over Los Angeles Rams
While the Cowboys might be a circus off the field, they might also be one of the few teams to consider keeping onside in Week 1 of the preseason. After all, this is a quarterback room that features Joe Milton and Will Grier, a pair of backups who have plenty of preseason reps in their previous stops around the league.
Dallas has a number of young players who should take this game seriously, particularly on offence. Compare that to the Rams, who have essentially ignored the preseason in the Sean McVay tenure. Dallas is a solid candidate for a wager in its preseason opener.
New York Giants +2.5 (-110) vs Buffalo Bills
At this point, the Buffalo Bills don’t have much to prove in the regular season, much less the preseason. We can safely assume the Bills will be in the Divisional Round come next January, although exactly how far they’ll go in the playoffs remains to be seen.
On the other hand, the Giants are in a completely different spot. In fact, New York should allot some snaps to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, along with a few other incoming rookies who are looking to have an impact on the roster. With New York holding the motivational edge, they could have value as an underdog.
