The new NFL season begins with a real bang this week and we’ve picked out our NFL betting tips for the opening two blockbuster fixtures.
First up is a Super Bowl rematch in Seattle , while a couple more genuine contenders for outright glory this term will then clash at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Patriots @ Seahawks
Patriots @ Seahawks Prediction – NFL Kickoff Game 2026
Kick-off: 01:20 Thursday (Sky Sports Main Event)
We signed off last season’s NFL predictions in style by backing Seattle to slam New England by more than 10 points in the Super Bowl and collected on that bet following a dominant 29-13 triumph.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was sacked six times, threw two interceptions and had a fumble recovered by an outstanding Seahawks defence, with only a couple of fourth-quarter touchdowns making the scoreline respectable.
Since that blow-out, Seattle have lost a few key figures without really filling those voids via free agency or the draft, but extending the contract of star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a wise move and they still have a very strong roster.
Smith-Njigba caught 10 touchdown passes in the 2025 regular season and two more in the play-offs, so the speedy 24-year-old is a worthy favourite at 11/2 to score the opening TD of the 2026 campaign.
New England pulled off a minor miracle last term, improving from AFC East basement dwellers with a 4-13 record the season before to 14-3 division winners, prior to upsetting the L os Angeles Chargers , the Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos in the play-offs. Can they repeat as AFC East division winners this season? Check out our NFL Division predictions for our verdict.
The rise of QB Maye was a major factor and he now has experienced WR A.J. Brown as another big weapon, but the Patriots look poorer on defence at the start of the new campaign and that Super Bowl mauling must have left some scars. Neither team has impressed in pre-season, but Seattle are expected to come alive now it’s for real and home advantage makes them hard to oppose.
Tip: Seattle Seahawks -3.5 points @ 20/21
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49ers @ Rams
49ers @ Rams Prediction – 2026 NFL Melbourne Game
Kick-off: 01:35 Friday (Netflix)
We’ve already put forward the Rams as our main pick to claim Super Bowl LXI glory on home turf next February and a winning start would be nice against their fierce NFC West rivals, in what is the first regular-season fixture to be staged in Australia .
QB Matthew Stafford will be 39 by the time this campaign ends but there are no concerns about the reigning NFL MVP getting the most out of a stellar offence which features stand-out wide receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Could Nacua win the 2026 NFL receiving crown after finishing 2nd last season to division rival Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Find out our pick for the receiving crown in our NFL regular season player props tips.
Tight end Terrance Ferguson is also being tipped to make significant strides this term, so 20/23 for him to have over 22.5 receiving yards is tempting from the player props list on this game.
The Rams have addressed their defensive needs in emphatic fashion, trading for sack king Myles Garrett and adding cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson , which has helped lure 10-time Pro Bowl selection Aaron Donald out of retirement.
San Francisco are certainly no mugs, with a well-balanced offence leading them to a 12-5 record in this toughest of all divisions last season, including an overtime win over the Rams in Los Angeles .
Veteran WR Mike Evans is a nice capture due to his physical presence in the end zone, but on the other side of the ball, the 49ers desperately need Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams to bounce back from ACL injuries to boost the pass rush. The Rams gained revenge with a 42-26 win when these teams met in San Francisco last November and can prevail in another high-scoring contest to entertain the Melbourne fans.
Tip: Los Angeles Rams win & over 48.5 points @ 15/8
Betting Tips
NFL Betting Tips
Seahawks -3.5 points against Patriots @ 20/23
Rams to beat 49s & over 48.5 hours @ 15/8
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