2025 NFL Odds: Early Week 1 Best Bets For Chargers-Chiefs, Vikings-Bears

2025 NFL Odds: Early Week 1 Best Bets for Chargers-Chiefs, Vikings-Bears

Published on Jul. 18, 2025, at 11:59 a.m. ET by Sam Panayotovich, FOX Sports Betting Analyst.

As we soak up the warm summer sun and enjoy our vacation days, the NFL season is just around the corner. With the kickoff date of Thursday, September 4, 2025, coming up quickly, it’s time to start preparing for the excitement of football on our screens.

I usually lean towards betting on underdogs during the regular season, particularly in divisional matchups during Week 1. There’s a certain thrill about rooting for a team that’s seen as the underdog against a popular favorite. Here are three NFL underdogs to keep an eye on for the opening week jiliko.747.

Los Angeles Chargers (+2.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

We’re heading to São Paulo for this Friday night match-up. Las Vegas oddsmakers initially set the line just shy of a field goal, which hasn’t changed much. The line at +2.5 instead of +3 shows respect towards the Chargers, indicating they could be in a decent position. Justin Herbert, however, is still seeking his first playoff win after two postseason appearances.

You’ve probably heard about Patrick Mahomes’ impressive 19-4 record as a starting quarterback in September, and being on the opposite side of that isn’t ideal. But remember, trends can be broken. I’m putting my money on Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers as a solid underdog in Brazil.

If you’re waiting for a +3, that’s understandable. ph222.com.ph

PICK: Chargers (+2.5) to lose by fewer than 2.5 points or win outright. taya777..com

Atlanta Falcons (+2.5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Be sure to secure the best line for this game. BetMGM and DraftKings are currently offering Atlanta at +2.5, while Pinnacle and South Point have it at +1.5, and other sportsbooks have different odds. I have no sympathy for anyone taking the Falcons at a pick ’em instead of +2.5.

This year, Michael Penix Jr. will be the Falcons’ starting quarterback, and all the hype is focused on him. He is a left-handed gunslinger ready to prove himself taya777.com log in. Atlanta has spent years building up their skill players but thought Kirk Cousins, coming off an Achilles injury, was their answer in 2024. Close, but no cigar.

The market is reacting to the Falcons, as some sharp bettors are already favoring them. I loved their picks of defensive talents Jalon Walker (Georgia) and James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) in Round 1, so be sure to grab that +2.5 while it lasts.

PICK: Falcons (+2.5) to lose by fewer than 2.5 points or win outright.

Minnesota Vikings (+1.5) @ Chicago Bears

After a weekend full of NFL action, we get one more match-up on Monday night featuring Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy. As a Chicago native, it’s been painful to count how many times the Bears have been touted as winners in the draft and offseason, leading to unrealistic summer expectations. okebet app for android It’s not that I doubt Williams or new head coach Ben Johnson, but I prefer to give a QB time to adjust to a new system.

Meanwhile, McCarthy has spent his rookie season learning Kevin O’Connell’s system after recovering from a meniscus tear last August. This season, he will take over the helm for the Vikings, supported by a bolstered offensive line and key players like Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Rondale Moore, and T.J. Hockenson. It’s hard to imagine a more favorable situation for a young quarterback.

The Minnesota Vikings boast one of the strongest 53-man rosters in the league, and I believe they will head into Soldier Field and secure a victory.

PICK: Vikings (+1.5) to lose by fewer than 1.5 points or win outright.

Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and the BetMGM Network. He has also worked with WGN Radio, NBC Sports, and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot.

Did you find these betting insights helpful for the NFL season ahead?