Updated

Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 12

SportsLine Unveils 2026 NFL Week 1 Picks as Last Year's Opening Slate Went 12-4 to the Under

Updated

Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 12

SportsLine Unveils 2026 NFL Week 1 Picks as Last Year's Opening Slate Went 12-4 to the Under

Q: Experts are teasing a massive outright underdog win for the 2026 season opener, but which team is poised for the upset?

The underdog most plausibly being teased for an outright Week 1 upset is the **Houston Texans over the Buffalo Bills**. That fits both the betting profile and the surrounding expert commentary. In the main story, Bills-Texans is highlighted as one of the marquee toss-up games, with Buffalo only a slight 1.5-point road favorite. In the broader reporting tied to these Week 1 picks, **Texans money line** repeatedly appears as a live value play, and several analysts point to Buffalo’s poor history in Houston. One preview notes that **Josh Allen has never won at NRG Stadium**, and another says Houston’s defense has consistently caused Buffalo major problems, including an eight-sack game last season. That makes Houston the most credible answer if the question is asking which “massive outright underdog” experts are hinting at. Technically, the Texans are not a huge long shot by the numbers, but they are one of the clearest underdog-money-line upset calls attached to this Week 1 board. There are other upset candidates in the wider coverage, especially the **Denver Broncos over the Chiefs**, with some analysts arguing Denver’s defense and pass rush could turn that AFC West game into another tight one. The **Jets over the Titans** also surface in outside predictions. But among the teams directly tied to the SportsLine-style betting package and repeated money-line support, **Houston stands out most clearly** as the likely upset pick.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 12

Week 1 betting is now live across the 2026 NFL opener, with SportsLine highlighting spreads, totals and props as bettors weigh a slate led by Bills-Texans, Packers-Vikings and Chiefs-Broncos.
12 of 16 Week 1 games stayed under last season, a trend SportsLine flags alongside this year's pricing: Bengals-Buccaneers carries the only total above 50 at 50.5, while Jets-Titans and Jaguars-Browns sit below 40.
Doug Kralstein's featured prop is Jalen Hurts over 6.5 carries against Washington, citing a more run-friendly Eagles setup and noting Hurts cleared that mark in 9 of 16 games last season.
Larry Hartstein backs Vikings -1.5 over the Packers, while Matt Severance favors Steelers moneyline -274 against Atlanta, pointing to Minnesota's offseason fit around Kyler Murray and the Falcons' pass-rush injuries.
SportsLine says five NFL experts are on runs worth at least $800 for $100 bettors, including two above $1,500, as it pushes a broader menu of Week 1 picks and props.