Content on this page may include affiliate links. If you click and sign up/place a wager, we may receive compensation at no cost to you.
Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason has a three-game Friday slate, with all contests starting at 7 p.m. ET. Each of the three features AFC teams facing NFC teams as theoretical Super Bowl previews. Broncos vs. Falcons (+3.5) and Dolphins vs. Commanders (+3.5) are matchups we've previously seen in the Big Game, while the third contest is Jets vs. Buccaneers. The latest NFL odds have New York favored by 6.5 points as Baker Mayfield won't take the field for Tampa. Bet the NFL at DraftKings, where new users get $150 in bonus bets instantly after $5+ in bets:
Before making any Week 1 NFL preseason picks for Friday, you NEED to see the best bets from SportsLine NFL expert Larry Hartstein.
A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed working for Pro Football Focus. He enters the 2026 NFL season on a 50-37-1 run on NFL spread picks, a 57.5% win rate. Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!
Now, Hartstein has locked in three confident best bets for Week 1 NFL preseason action on Friday.
One of his picks: He's backing the Jets (-6.5) at home versus the Buccaneers.
"Thanks to an aggressive offseason, the Jets possess a much deeper and talented roster than in Aaron Glenn's debut season," Hartstein said. "Look for that depth to be on display Friday."
Hartstein has locked in two other best bets, including backing an underdog he likes "getting a bunch of points" in its matchup!
So what are the best bets for Friday's NFL preseason action, and which underdog should light up the scoreboard? ... Join SportsLine right now to see which teams to back, all from the expert who went 50-37-1 on his NFL picks in 2025!
Don't miss out: All new SportsLine memberships include Paramount+ Premium -- a $13.99/month value -- for no extra cost! Join now and get it all.
GET VEGAS EXPERT PICKS FOR NFL, MLB, NBA, CBB, GOLF, NHL, HORSE RACING AND MORE - PLUS ADVANCED COMPUTER SIMULATIONS, WINNING TOOLS, AND MORE!
Written by Ross Kelly
View expert profile
