The NFL season officially gets underway this week, and even though the consequences of a loss won’t be dire in week 1, there are a couple of teams out there that can play spoiler in week 1.
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Three Underdogs Who Can Pull Off 2025 NFL Week 1 Upsets
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at New York Jets (+2.5)
The week one game with one of the juicier storylines is Aaron Rodgers‘ return to MetLife Stadium after spending the last two seasons there, and Justin Fields‘ matchup with the Steelers after playing there last season. The Jets are underdogs in their home opener, but they have a good chance to upset the Steelers.
Fields will have something to prove against the Steelers after being the starter for the team for the first six games, going 4-2, but was ultimately benched for Russell Wilson. The Jets have gone through a complete makeover after a disastrous 2024, and first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and his coaching staff will want to show what this era of Jets football could look like under him.
Fields’ legs, along with the stable of running backs the Jets have in Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and others, could be enough to play keep away from Rodgers and the Steelers offense.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers (+3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5)
The Panthers could play spoiler to the highly anticipated debut of the 2025 second overall pick, Travis Hunter. Carolina will be entering their second season under the direction of head coach Dave Canales and the third year of quarterback Bryce Young. Continuity advantage goes to the Panthers in this matchup as Jags head coach Liam Coen and his staff will be making their debuts.
It might take time for Coen to get used to being a head coach, which is where the Panthers will need to capitalize if they want to pull off a week one upset down in Jacksonville. During the second half of the 2024 season, the Panthers were showing signs of an ascending team. After being benched earlier in 2024, Young returned back to the lineup and showed flashes of why he was a number one overall pick.
In the second half of the 2024 season, Young was seventh among all quarterbacks in Pro Football Focus (PFF) in total passing grade. If the Panthers carry their late-season momentum into Jacksonville, a win for Carolina won’t come as a surprise.
Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) at Seattle Seahawks (+2.5)
NFL division rival games are always tough, especially in what could be the NFL’s best division this season in the NFC West. As a home dog, Seattle is more than capable of pulling off an upset against the Niners. Seattle will be catching SF in the midst of them trying to get healthy on the offensive side of the ball.
SF quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, and running back Christian McCaffrey will be ready to roll, but there is uncertainty at the wide receiver position due to injuries. With second-year head coach Mike Macdonald calling what could be a top defense in Seattle this year, he can make it extremely tough for SF on Sunday in Seattle.
Seattle will also be boasting a new look offense with quarterback Sam Darnold in the fold, and adding Cooper Kupp. The Seahawks still have dynamic receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a solid backfield with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
Seattle’s defense limiting big plays by the 49ers offense will be key to an upset, and Macdonald is more than equipped to put together the defensive game plan needed to pull off a week one win.
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