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Aug 13-15, 2026 All 32 teams 16 games
By BettingInUnitedStates Editorial Team Reviewed

2026 NFL Preseason Week 1 Picks: Odds & Best Bets

Football is back. Every one of the 16 preseason Week 1 games has its own picks page with FanDuel odds and our lean. Pick a game below, and remember the preseason rule: starters barely play, so keep the stakes small.

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Thursday, August 13, 2026

Lions @ Bengals 7:00 PM ET · Local TV Bengals -7 · O/U 37.5 Our lean: Lions +7 Packers @ Steelers 7:00 PM ET · NFL Network Steelers -1.5 · O/U 36.5 Our lean: Under 36.5 Colts @ Patriots 7:30 PM ET · Local TV Patriots -1.5 · O/U 38.5 Our lean: Under 38.5 Chargers @ Texans 8:00 PM ET · Local TV Texans -1.5 · O/U 37.5 Our lean: Under 37.5 Cardinals @ Raiders 8:00 PM ET · Local TV Raiders -2.5 · O/U 40.5 Our lean: Under 40.5 Titans @ 49ers 9:00 PM ET · NFL Network Titans -3 · O/U 37.5 Our lean: Titans -3

Friday, August 14, 2026

Broncos @ Falcons 7:00 PM ET · Local TV Broncos -5.5 · O/U 38.5 Our lean: Broncos -5.5 Dolphins @ Commanders 7:00 PM ET · Local TV Dolphins -3 · O/U 36.5 Our lean: Under 36.5 Buccaneers @ Jets 7:00 PM ET · NFL Network Jets -1.5 · O/U 35.5 Our lean: Under 35.5

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Panthers @ Bills 1:00 PM ET · Local TV Panthers -1.5 · O/U 38.5 Our lean: Under 38.5 Browns @ Bears 1:00 PM ET · NFL Network Bears -1.5 · O/U 38.5 Our lean: Under 38.5 Vikings @ Giants 1:00 PM ET · Local TV Vikings -3 · O/U 39.5 Our lean: Vikings -3 Jaguars @ Saints 4:00 PM ET · Local TV Saints -1.5 · O/U 38.5 Our lean: Under 38.5 Rams @ Chiefs 4:00 PM ET · NFL Network Chiefs -1.5 · O/U 38.5 Our lean: Under 38.5 Eagles @ Ravens 7:00 PM ET · Local TV Eagles -2.5 · O/U 36.5 Our lean: Under 36.5 Cowboys @ Seahawks 8:00 PM ET · NFL Network Seahawks -2.5 · O/U 37.5 Our lean: Under 37.5

How to bet the preseason

Preseason betting is a low-information environment. Front-line starters play a handful of snaps, if any, and games turn on backups, rookies, and roster-bubble players fighting for the last spots, which means coaching tendencies, depth, and playing time matter more than talent. Two patterns have held up over the years: teams laying more than a touchdown cover at a poor rate, and openers tend to stay under as rusty offenses sputter. The single biggest variable is how long each team plays its starters, so check for late word before kickoff, lean on totals and situational spots, and keep the stakes small. This is entertainment, not edge.

Frequently asked questions

When is NFL preseason Week 1 in 2026?
The 2026 NFL preseason Week 1 runs Thursday, August 13 through Saturday, August 15, with all 32 teams in action across 16 games. Six games air nationally on NFL Network and the rest are on local affiliates and NFL+.
How should you bet the NFL preseason?
Preseason is a low-information environment: starters play a handful of snaps and games hinge on backups and roster-bubble players. Two patterns hold up historically, big favorites (laying more than a touchdown) cover at a poor rate, and openers tend to stay under as offenses sputter. Lean on totals and situational spots, check starter playing-time news right before kickoff, and keep stakes small.
Where can I bet the preseason games?
Every game on this slate is available at licensed US sportsbooks like FanDuel in states with legal online betting. Preseason spreads are short and totals sit in the mid-to-high 30s, and lines move on news about how long each team will play its starters, so shop the number.

Odds are FanDuel prices as of 2026-08-11 and move before kickoff; other US books price the same markets. Picks are editorial analysis, not model output, and not betting advice. 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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