CBS Experts Back Rams, Texans in 2026 NFL Week 1 Openers

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 10

CBS Sports' two featured pickers both took the Rams to cover 3.5 points against San Francisco and the Texans to beat Buffalo as 1.5-point home underdogs in two of Week 1's marquee games.
Los Angeles got the nod because San Francisco enters the Australia opener with key stars returning from major injuries, while Houston was favored to exploit Josh Allen's 0-4 career record in Texans road games.
Baltimore was the only other unanimous pick among the highlighted Sunday contenders, with both analysts backing the Ravens -3.5 against Indianapolis behind Lamar Jackson's strong Week 1 track record and Colts health concerns.
The remaining games split the panel: Buccaneers-Bengals and Packers-Vikings drew one pick each way, while both writers backed Dallas -3 over the Giants and both called for Denver to upset Kansas City on Monday night.
The predictions frame a Week 1 slate that follows Seattle's Super Bowl rematch win over New England and stretches from Thursday's 49ers-Rams game in Australia through a 13-game Sunday and the Chiefs-Broncos finale.