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The ongoing NFL offseason has been a roller coaster ride. Myles Garrett’s will-he-won’t-he contract saga was ultimately resolved by the defensive behemoth penning a new deal to remain with the Browns. He was then joined in Cleveland by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who shockingly slid to the fifth round of the draft despite being pegged as a top-ten prospect.
In more recent times, Aaron Rodgers has taken center stage. Many wondered if the four-time MVP would remain in the league or sail off into the sunset after a dismal couple of years with the Jets. However, the former Super Bowl winner answered those questions by recently penning a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he looks set to have one final crack at the whip at the ripe old age of 41.
But with those storylines now in the rearview mirror, all roads lead to the opening weekend. The reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles will kick off the 2025 season when they welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Lincoln Financial Field on September 4th. Throughout the days that follow, each team will begin their respective campaigns, and there are three underdogs that we feel could upset the odds for NFL bettors.
Carolina Panthers
Online sports betting sites make the Jacksonville Jaguars favorites to beat the Carolina Panthers on their opening day clash in Florida. Websites offering sports betting online have the hosts listed as 2.5-point favorites, thanks in part to them having home-field advantage. However, we feel that the visitors are more than capable of spoiling the opening day party, and they can be backed at odds of +135 on the money line.
While Carolina’s 2024 campaign looked disastrous on paper, they did end the season strong by winning two of their final three games. That gives the impression that things are beginning to gel in Charlotte, while the maturation of quarterback Bryce Young in those latter weeks was also a promising sign.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft looked far more comfortable in the latter half of last season, flashing the poise and accuracy that had scouts raving about his potential. With another offseason of development under his belt, Young enters the 2025 campaign as a player on the brink of a breakout.
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The Panthers also possess a dangerous ground game led by Chuba Hubbard. The 25-year-old amassed 1,195 yards on the ground in just 15 starts last term, and his explosiveness and ability to wear down defenses make him a vital piece of Carolina’s offense. Complementing him is rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, a first-round pick with the physical tools to stretch the field and open up intermediate passing lanes.
Jacksonville’s defense may have its hands full keeping Carolina’s multi-faceted attack in check, especially given the Jaguars’ uneven performances in their secondary last year. They have added generational two-way talent Travis Hunter in a bid to combat that, but we still feel like they could end up taking an L on opening weekend.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders roll into Foxborough as underdogs at the new-look New England. The Patriots are now under head coach Mike Vrabel, and he is tasked with lifting spirits after a beleaguered 2024 campaign under Jerod Mayo in which they managed just four wins all year. Despite some offseason buzz surrounding additions such as rookie Will Campbell and standout receiver Stefon Diggs, it’s the Sin City side we fancy to go over.
Las Vegas spent the offseason bolstering its roster with key acquisitions. They added experienced quarterback Geno Smith after a career year in Seattle last term, pairing him up under center with powerhouse running back Ashton Jeanty.
On defense, the Raiders boast one of the league’s most feared playmakers in Maxx Crosby, a disruptive edge rusher who has just penned a bumper new deal to remain at Allegiant Stadium. Matched up against New England’s offensive line, which had its fair share of struggles last season, the former Eastern Michigan standout could feast.
The Pats remain hopeful for a turnaround under Vrabel, but they are still a team in transition. With a new head coach installing fresh schemes and a young quarterback in Drake Maye still attempting to find his stride, New England may be vulnerable in Week 1. If the Raiders can capitalize on their offseason improvements and lean on Crosby to generate pressure, they could walk out of Foxborough with an early-season victory.
Cleveland Browns
The battle of Ohio always draws attention, but this year, the underdog Browns might be poised to steal the show against their rival Cincinnati Bengals. While Cincy is expected to contend for the AFC Championship thanks to their blockbuster cast led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, recent history has not been kind to them in season openers. The Bengals have lost their first two games in each of the last three seasons, and their early-season jitters could play right into Cleveland’s hands.
The Browns have an ace up their sleeve in the form of Myles Garrett, arguably the premier defensive player in the league. His blend of speed, power, and technique makes him a nightmare for opposing offensive lines, especially one such as Cincinnati’s, which struggled to protect Joe Burrow far too often last season.
Offensively, the Browns bring intrigue with a quarterback room brimming with competition. While there may not be a clear-cut star, they have no fewer than five QBs who will feel they have a genuine chance of being a starter at some point in 2025. Whoever gets the nod on the opening day will certainly have a point to prove, and that could bode badly for a Bengals team that allowed 434 points last term, the fourth most in the AFC.