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- Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million contract extension with Green Bay. Of that, $136 million is fully guaranteed. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- The 26-year-old is a two-time All-Pro and has been selected to the Pro Bowl all four seasons of his career.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
All in all, here were the biggest names that changed teams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trades<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- WR DK Metcalf<\/a>, Steelers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- WR George Pickens<\/a>, Cowboys<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- WR Deebo Samuel<\/a>, Commanders<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- QB Geno Smith<\/a>, Raiders<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick<\/a>, Dolphins<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- CB Jalen Ramsey<\/a>, Steelers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- DE Micah Parsons<\/a>, Packers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Signings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- WR Davante Adams<\/a>, Rams<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- WR Stefon Diggs<\/a>, Patriots<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- QB Aaron Rodgers<\/a>, Steelers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- QB Sam Darnold<\/a>, Seahawks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- QB Justin Fields<\/a>, Jets<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- TE Evan Engram<\/a>, Broncos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
NFL preview: 4 key matchups in September<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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- Full NFL markets<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- NFL player & team stats<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Fresh storylines emerge every season, but there are already plenty for bettors to sink their teeth into in Weeks 1-3. Here’s a handful of key games to look out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Week 1: Ravens vs. Bills (Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8:20 p.m. ET)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first Sunday Night Football showdown of the season is overloaded with star power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, last year’s top two MVP contenders (and two top contenders again this year), square off in a rematch of a 2024 divisional round matchup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ravens’ failed two-point conversion in the closing seconds allowed Allen’s Bills to eke out a 27-25 win in that one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Embed: #117204<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Week 1: Steelers vs. Jets (Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. ET)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does Aaron Rodgers have left? After a divorce from the Jets (and a quiet offseason marriage in his personal life), it’s time to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 41-year-old could be in the swan song of his Hall of Fame career, and it begins with Pittsburgh as a road favourite against the team that dumped him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a bit of a wife swap situation, actually, given that ex-Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is now under centre for the Jets. Revenge game scenarios abound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Embed: #117205<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key NFL schedule dates: Weeks 2 and 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Week 2: Eagles vs. Chiefs (Sunday, Sept. 14 at 4:25 p.m. ET)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Super Bowl rematch kind of speaks for itself, doesn’t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chiefs were one win shy of an unprecedented three-peat, but the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX in blowout fashion to ensure that wouldn’t happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the stars are still around, including Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley, and this could be a preview for another championship battle down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all, Philly and KC are two of the top four contenders on the Super Bowl odds leaderboard<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Week 3: Lions vs. Ravens (Monday, Sept. 22 at 8:15 p.m. ET)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lions had a franchise-best 15 wins last season but flopped in their first playoff game. Despite losing both coordinators, Detroit is still a team with crystallized championship aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, too, are the Ravens, who know something about stellar regular seasons followed by playoff disappointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Detroit and Baltimore ranked first and third, respectively, in scoring offence last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preseason injuries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the NFL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As of Aug. 26, here are some key names to keep an eye on entering the season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- RB Joe Mixon (foot\/ankle), Texans:<\/strong> Mixon will begin the season on the reserve\/non-football injury list, which means he’ll miss at least the first four weeks of the season. Nick Chubb will likely take the bulk of Houston’s backfield touches in his absence, with Dameon Pierce and rookie Woody Marks in the mix as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee), 49ers:<\/strong> San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Aug. 25 that Week 6 is a possible target for Aiyuk to return. With Deebo Samuel now out of the picture in SF, Aiyuk \u2014 a 1,300-yard receiver in 2023 \u2014 is a crucial weapon in the 49ers’ passing game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- WR Chris Godwin (ankle), Buccaneers:<\/strong> Godwin is unlikely to play until October, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but Tampa Bay still plans to carry him on the 53-man roster entering Week 1. As a member of the active roster, Godwin will be eligible to practice in September even if he’s unable to suit up for games.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- RB Tyjae Spears (ankle), Titans:<\/strong> Tennessee placed Spears on injured reserve, which will keep him sidelined until at least Week 5. Spears, who suffered a high ankle sprain in a preseason game, was expected to compete for a timeshare role with teammate Tony Pollard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
To keep up with the latest injury designations and estimated return dates, check out our NFL injury report<\/a>, powered by RotoWire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NFL preview: Top rookies for 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
RB Ashton Jeanty, Raiders:<\/strong> It’s difficult for a collegiate player who’s not in a Power Four conference to win the Heisman Trophy, but Jeanty gave it his best go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After an FBS-best 2,601 yards in 14 games, the Boise State product looks to give Las Vegas another elite weapon to pair with Brock Bowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"NFL](\"https:\/\/nsb-news.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com\/imgs\/2025\/08\/CP174875016-1024x683.webp\")
Photo by Jeff Lewis\/AP.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n WR Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers:<\/strong> Year 1 for Xavier Legette didn’t blow anybody away, so the Panthers went back into the first round of the NFL draft to try again for a star wideout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enter the 6-foot-5 McMillan, who figures to create tons of size mismatches on Sundays. In his junior year with Arizona, McMillan paced the Big 12 in receiving yards (1,319 in 12 games).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WR Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers:<\/strong> Egbuka is Ohio State’s all-time leading receiver, and that’s saying something when you consider all the NFL-calibre players who came through Columbus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tampa Bay was a bit of a surprise landing spot, but with second-year wideout Jalen McMillan dealing with a neck injury \u2014 and Godwin likely out until October \u2014 Egbuka can make an instant splash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
QB Cam Ward, Titans:<\/strong> The 2025 draft class wasn’t considered QB-rich, but Ward was clearly the cream of the crop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Heisman finalist chucked 39 passing TDs in 13 games for Miami (FL), and now there’s hope that he can turn Tennessee in the right direction. For a team with +415 odds to make the playoffs, though, it likely won’t all come together right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Embed: #117246<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
NFL preview: Futures focus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
AFC division favourites<\/strong>: Ravens (-155) | Bills (-286) | Texans (-106) | Chiefs (-122)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NFC division favourites:<\/strong> Lions (+135) | Eagles (-157) | Buccaneers (-106) | 49ers (+150)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Every favourite is the incumbent division winner except the 49ers, who went 6-11 to finish last in the NFC West in 2024. According to Warren Sharp, the 49ers have the NFL’s easiest strength of schedule this year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Chiefs have won the AFC West nine years in a row, which is two shy of the Patriots’ NFL record for consecutive division titles (11, 2009-19).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Highest projected win totals:<\/strong> Bills (12.5) | Ravens (11.5) | Eagles (11.5) | Chiefs (11.5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lowest projected win totals:<\/strong> Saints (4.5) | Browns (5.5) | Giants (5.5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Five teams finished with 13+ wins last season, but only the Bills (13-4 in ’24) are expected to run that back. Buffalo has the fifth-easiest schedule, per Warren Sharp.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Giants went 3-14 last year to finish in a three-way tie for the NFL’s worst record. This season, 10 of New York’s 17 games come against teams that reached the 2024 playoffs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
MVP favourites:<\/strong> Lamar Jackson (+550) | Joe Burrow (+600) | Josh Allen (+600) | Patrick Mahomes (+700) | Jayden Daniels (+900)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Jackson and Mahomes are both multi-time MVP winners. Allen, meanwhile, is the reigning MVP after a tight race last season. Buffalo’s QB had 27 first-place votes to Jackson’s 22.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- There’s a significant odds drop-off after the top five, as Jalen Hurts is next on the board at 20-to-1.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
NFL futures predictions & notes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Top Super Bowl picks<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Super Bowl betting favourites<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Long shot predictions<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- MVP contenders<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Week 1 schedule & odds<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Super Bowl contenders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The favourites:<\/strong> Eagles (+650) | Ravens (+700) | Bills (+700) | Chiefs (+800) | Lions (+1,100)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Super Bowl betting favourites<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Top Super Bowl picks<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There’s a significant odds drop-off after the top five, as Jalen Hurts is next on the board at 20-to-1.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Jackson and Mahomes are both multi-time MVP winners. Allen, meanwhile, is the reigning MVP after a tight race last season. Buffalo’s QB had 27 first-place votes to Jackson’s 22.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The Giants went 3-14 last year to finish in a three-way tie for the NFL’s worst record. This season, 10 of New York’s 17 games come against teams that reached the 2024 playoffs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Five teams finished with 13+ wins last season, but only the Bills (13-4 in ’24) are expected to run that back. Buffalo has the fifth-easiest schedule, per Warren Sharp.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The Chiefs have won the AFC West nine years in a row, which is two shy of the Patriots’ NFL record for consecutive division titles (11, 2009-19).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Every favourite is the incumbent division winner except the 49ers, who went 6-11 to finish last in the NFC West in 2024. According to Warren Sharp, the 49ers have the NFL’s easiest strength of schedule this year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- RB Tyjae Spears (ankle), Titans:<\/strong> Tennessee placed Spears on injured reserve, which will keep him sidelined until at least Week 5. Spears, who suffered a high ankle sprain in a preseason game, was expected to compete for a timeshare role with teammate Tony Pollard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- WR Chris Godwin (ankle), Buccaneers:<\/strong> Godwin is unlikely to play until October, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but Tampa Bay still plans to carry him on the 53-man roster entering Week 1. As a member of the active roster, Godwin will be eligible to practice in September even if he’s unable to suit up for games.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee), 49ers:<\/strong> San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Aug. 25 that Week 6 is a possible target for Aiyuk to return. With Deebo Samuel now out of the picture in SF, Aiyuk \u2014 a 1,300-yard receiver in 2023 \u2014 is a crucial weapon in the 49ers’ passing game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- NFL player & team stats<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- WR Stefon Diggs<\/a>, Patriots<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- WR George Pickens<\/a>, Cowboys<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- WR DK Metcalf<\/a>, Steelers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The 26-year-old is a two-time All-Pro and has been selected to the Pro Bowl all four seasons of his career.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n