The 2026 NFL season kicks off with an unusual two-night opening stretch, beginning Wednesday, September 9, with a Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. The following night, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams meet in the first NFL regular-season game ever played in Australia.
With the opening games just days away, bettors can compare NFL betting odds for the point spread, moneyline and over/under before the first kickoff of the season.
The Seahawks enter the season as the defending Super Bowl champions, while the Patriots will get an immediate opportunity to avenge their Super Bowl LX loss. On Thursday, the 49ers and Rams take the NFL to Melbourne for an historic international matchup.
Wednesday Night Football
- Matchup: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Location: Seattle, WA (Lumen Field)
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET (5:20 p.m. PT)
- TV/Streaming: NBC, Peacock
Patriots vs. Seahawks Betting Odds
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 — 8:20 PM ET
Lumen Field — Seattle, Washington
The season begins with a rematch of Super Bowl LX as the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots.
Early Week 1 betting markets have Seattle favored by roughly 3.5 points, with the total sitting around 44.5 points. The exact price can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook and can move before kickoff.
Patriots vs. Seahawks Odds
- Point Spread: Seahawks -3.5
- Moneyline: Seahawks approximately -175 to -190; Patriots approximately +145 to +160
- Over/Under: 44.5 points
Because sportsbook lines can change, the current odds comparison below is the best place to check the latest available prices before placing a wager.
Patriots vs. Seahawks Betting Preview
This is one of the most interesting ways possible to begin an NFL season: a Super Bowl rematch in the opening game.
Seattle returns home as the defending champion and gets the benefit of playing at Lumen Field, while New England begins its season with one of the biggest possible tests.
The 3.5-point spread makes this more than a simple question of which team is expected to win. Bettors taking Seattle are laying more than a field goal, while Patriots backers have the opportunity to take New England with the points.
The 44.5-point total also provides an interesting alternative. Bettors expecting a competitive game can consider the over, while those expecting defenses to control the opening-night matchup may prefer the under.
Patriots vs. Seahawks Best Bet Ideas
Rather than treating one wager as a guaranteed winner, these are three different ways to approach the matchup.
Seahawks -3.5: Seattle is favored at home and enters the season as the defending Super Bowl champion. The question for bettors is whether Seattle can win by at least four points.
Under 44.5: An opening-game matchup between two teams with plenty to prove could produce a more conservative game than the betting total suggests. The under becomes particularly interesting for bettors expecting a defensive battle.
Seahawks moneyline: Bettors who like Seattle to win but don’t want to lay the 3.5 points can take the moneyline instead, although the reduced risk comes with a significantly higher price.
These are betting ideas rather than guarantees. Sports betting involves risk, and odds can change before kickoff.
49ers vs. Rams Betting Odds
Thursday, September 10, 2026 — 8:35 PM ET
Melbourne Cricket Ground — Melbourne, Australia
The second game of the NFL season takes the league to Australia as the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Rams opened as approximately 3.5-point favorites, with the total around 48.5 points. The game is scheduled for Thursday night in the United States, although it will be Friday morning locally in Melbourne.
49ers vs. Rams Odds
- Point Spread: Rams -3.5
- Moneyline: Rams approximately -185 to -198; 49ers approximately +160 to +165
- Over/Under: 48.5 points
The numbers above are a snapshot of the Week 1 market rather than permanent lines. Check the live odds comparison for the latest prices.
49ers vs. Rams Betting Preview
The Rams are favored by roughly a field goal in a matchup that could attract plenty of attention because of the unusual setting.
This isn’t simply another regular-season game overseas. It is the first NFL regular-season game to be played in Australia, giving the matchup additional significance for the league and its international audience.
From a betting perspective, the 3.5-point spread creates a familiar decision. Rams bettors are asking Los Angeles to win by four or more points, while 49ers bettors taking the points can cash a spread wager if San Francisco keeps the game within three points or wins outright.
The total of approximately 48.5 points also suggests that sportsbooks expect considerably more scoring than in the Patriots-Seahawks opener.
49ers vs. Rams Best Bet Ideas
Rams -3.5: Los Angeles is the favorite and gets the benefit of the market’s expectation that it will control the matchup.
49ers +3.5: Taking the points gives San Francisco some protection in what could be a closely contested game.
Over 48.5: The higher total compared with Wednesday night’s opener suggests a different type of matchup. Bettors expecting offensive production on both sides may prefer the over.
Again, these are ideas for evaluating the betting market, not guarantees of a particular outcome.
Opening NFL Games Parlay Ideas
Parlays combine multiple wagers into a single bet, meaning every selection generally has to win for the entire parlay to cash. That also means parlays carry considerably more risk than betting each selection individually.
For the opening two-game schedule, bettors could consider several approaches.
Conservative Two-Leg Parlay
Seahawks moneyline + Rams moneyline
This approach focuses on the two teams favored by the moneyline market rather than requiring either favorite to cover its point spread.
Spread Parlay
Seahawks -3.5 + Rams -3.5
This parlay requires both favorites to win by at least four points. The potential payout is higher than simply combining the moneyline favorites because the spread adds additional conditions to both selections.
Total Points Parlay
Under 44.5 Patriots-Seahawks + Over 48.5 49ers-Rams
This is a higher-risk approach based on the expectation that the two opening games will play very differently from one another.
Parlay reminder: Combining bets increases the difficulty of winning. A single losing selection can cause the entire parlay to lose.
What to Watch in the First Two NFL Games
The opening two games provide an early look at several things that could influence NFL betting markets throughout the 2026 season.
Can Seattle Defend Its Super Bowl Title?
The Seahawks immediately return to the spotlight as defending champions. Their opening game against New England should provide an early indication of whether the team remains capable of competing at the top of the NFC.
How Will New England Respond?
The Patriots don’t have to wait long for an opportunity to put the Super Bowl loss behind them. Opening the season against the same opponent creates an unusual storyline and gives New England a high-profile test immediately.
How Will the Teams Handle Australia?
The 49ers-Rams game introduces an unusual travel and preparation factor. The teams must adjust to a long international trip, a different time zone and an unfamiliar game environment.
That makes this matchup particularly interesting for bettors because conventional home-field assumptions don’t apply in the same way to an international game.
Top Patriots vs. Seahawks Player Prop Bets
The game spread and moneyline are only part of the Week 1 betting menu. Player props offer another way to approach the Patriots-Seahawks matchup, with markets available on passing, rushing, receiving and touchdowns.
Because player prop lines can move quickly, the odds below are a snapshot of the current market. Check the live odds comparison before betting.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Receiving Yards
Over 81.5 receiving yards (-110)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the most attractive receiving props in the opening game. He led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025 and averaged 105.5 yards per game. Current Week 1 markets have his receiving-yard line around 81.5 yards.
BetHouse lean: Over 81.5 receiving yards
The number is considerably below Smith-Njigba’s 2025 per-game average, although the Patriots’ defense presents a tougher matchup than many of Seattle’s opponents faced last season.
Sam Darnold Passing Yards
Over 229.5 passing yards (-110)
Darnold’s current passing-yard prop is 229.5 yards. He threw for 4,048 yards in 2025, averaging 238.1 yards per game.
BetHouse lean: Over 229.5 passing yards
The Seahawks could lean on Darnold’s arm if New England successfully limits the running game, giving the quarterback a reasonable path to 230-plus yards.
Drake Maye Passing Yards
Over 225.5 passing yards (-111)
Maye enters the season following a 4,394-yard, 31-touchdown 2025 campaign. His current Week 1 passing-yard prop is around 225.5 yards.
BetHouse lean: Over 225.5 passing yards
New England could be forced to throw if Seattle establishes control early, giving Maye an opportunity to reach this number through volume.
Rhamondre Stevenson Rushing Yards
Over 44.5 rushing yards (-114)
Stevenson’s current rushing-yard prop is approximately 44.5 yards. He averaged 43.1 rushing yards per game last season, although his workload and production varied considerably throughout the year.
BetHouse lean: Over 44.5 rushing yards
This is more of a volume-based play. If New England keeps the game competitive, Stevenson should have opportunities to approach or exceed the mid-40s.
Anytime Touchdown Scorer
Current markets list several of the most prominent touchdown candidates:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba +130
- Jadarian Price +130
- Rhamondre Stevenson +150
Prices vary by sportsbook, with Smith-Njigba and the Seattle running game among the most prominent touchdown markets.
BetHouse lean: Jaxon Smith-Njigba anytime touchdown
Smith-Njigba scored 10 touchdowns last season and remains Seattle’s primary receiving weapon.
Patriots vs. Seahawks Player Prop Parlay
Jaxon Smith-Njigba 60+ receiving yards + Sam Darnold 200+ passing yards + Jaxon Smith-Njigba anytime touchdown
This is a higher-risk parlay built around Seattle’s passing offense. The alternative-yardage legs provide more flexibility than using the full 81.5-yard Smith-Njigba line.
For bettors looking for a more aggressive version, Smith-Njigba over 81.5 receiving yards can replace the 60+ yard alternative.
Top 49ers vs. Rams Player Prop Bets
The second opening-week game offers an even deeper collection of high-profile player props, led by Christian McCaffrey, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Matthew Stafford and Brock Purdy.
Christian McCaffrey Rushing Yards
Over 59.5 rushing yards (-110)
McCaffrey’s current rushing-yard market is around 59.5 yards. FanDuel’s Week 1 projection has him at approximately 67.9 rushing yards, while his role also gives him substantial receiving potential.
BetHouse lean: Over 59.5 rushing yards
McCaffrey remains one of the most versatile offensive players in the NFL, and the 49ers can use him both on the ground and through the air.
Matthew Stafford Passing Yards
Over 265.5 passing yards (-114)
Stafford’s current passing-yard market is approximately 265.5 yards. He threw for 4,707 yards last season, and the Rams averaged 30.5 points per game.
BetHouse lean: Over 265.5 passing yards
The Rams have several high-level receiving options, giving Stafford multiple ways to accumulate passing yardage.
Mike Evans Receiving Yards
Over 50.5 receiving yards (+100)
Mike Evans’ current receiving-yard market is around 50.5 yards, with the over available at approximately even money in the current market.
BetHouse lean: Over 50.5 receiving yards
Evans gives Brock Purdy another major downfield and red-zone target, although his injury status should be checked before betting. Current reporting has Evans dealing with a groin/adductor issue while still expected to travel to Australia.
Davante Adams Receiving Yards
Over 51.5 receiving yards (-110)
Adams’ current receiving-yard line is approximately 51.5 yards, with the over priced around -110.
BetHouse lean: Over 51.5 receiving yards
Adams adds another established target to a Rams offense that already features Puka Nacua. That gives Stafford multiple options rather than forcing the offense to rely on one receiver.
Anytime Touchdown Scorer
Current markets show several strong touchdown candidates:
- Christian McCaffrey -135
- Kyren Williams -130
- Puka Nacua +135
McCaffrey currently carries the shortest anytime-touchdown price of the three.
BetHouse lean: Christian McCaffrey anytime touchdown
McCaffrey’s combination of rushing and receiving usage makes him one of the most obvious touchdown candidates in the matchup.
49ers vs. Rams Player Prop Parlay
Christian McCaffrey anytime touchdown + Matthew Stafford 250+ passing yards + Davante Adams 40+ receiving yards
This parlay combines three different offensive outcomes while using alternative yardage thresholds rather than requiring each player to reach his primary market number.
For a more aggressive version, bettors could use McCaffrey over 59.5 rushing yards and Stafford over 265.5 passing yards.
Best Opening-Week Player Prop Bets
For bettors who want to focus on the individual-player markets rather than the game spreads, these are the five props that stand out most from the current opening-week board:
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Over 81.5 receiving yards
2. Sam Darnold — Over 229.5 passing yards
3. Christian McCaffrey — Over 59.5 rushing yards
4. Matthew Stafford — Over 265.5 passing yards
5. Christian McCaffrey — Anytime touchdown
These selections are BetHouse betting leans, not guarantees. Player props carry the same inherent risk as other sports wagers, and available lines and prices can change before kickoff.
Check Current Player Prop Odds
The player prop markets above are provided as a snapshot of the available Week 1 betting markets. For the latest prices, alternate lines and additional player props, check the live odds comparison before placing a wager.
Check the Latest NFL Betting Lines
NFL odds can move between the time a line is posted and kickoff. Changes can result from betting activity, injuries, lineup decisions and other developments.
The odds shown in this article are intended as a snapshot of the Week 1 opening market. Use the live odds comparison above to check the latest available spread, moneyline and total before placing a wager.
BetHouse will continue following NFL betting odds, weekly spreads, moneylines and over/under totals throughout the 2026 season.
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