NFL analysts identify potential Week 1 upsets for favorites

As the 2026 NFL season opens, analysts highlight several favorites facing significant hurdles in their Week 1 matchups. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams face each other Thursday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, testing different travel acclimation strategies after a 17-hour time difference. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills enter their Sunday game against the Houston Texans as favorites despite historical struggles against the Houston defense. Josh Allen holds a 0-4 record on the road against the Texans, who recently added depth to their defensive front. The Texans also aim to improve their ground game with the addition of David Montgomery, addressing a specific weakness Buffalo struggled to defend last season. These games represent the initial slate of the 2026 campaign as teams begin their quest for the playoffs.

• 10:00 AMCBS NFL — Upset alert in Week 1? Why these 5 NFL favorites could easily drop their 2026 season openers