NFL Preseason Week 1 Begins with Key Matchups and Expert Picks
The 2026 NFL preseason starts on Thursday with five games scheduled. The matchups include Lions vs. Bengals and Packers vs. Steelers at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Colts vs. Patriots at 7:30 p.m. ET, and Cardinals vs. Raiders and Chargers vs. Texans at 8 p.m. ET. The Titans will face the 49ers at 9 p.m. ET.
In the opening week, teams typically take a conservative approach with their star players, making betting decisions challenging. SportsLine's Larry Hartstein has provided his top betting picks for Thursday's games, highlighting the Titans as a strong choice against the 49ers, where they are favored by 2.5 points.
Hartstein, who has a successful track record in preseason betting, notes that Titans' head coach Robert Saleh has a strong preseason record and that the team has experienced backup quarterbacks. This context supports the Titans' position as the only road team favored on Thursday.
