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Week 1 of the 2025 NFL preseason wraps up this Sunday with a pair of games featuring the Dolphins vs. Bears and the Saints vs. Chargers. We'll preview Sunday's games and give you our best NFL preseason bets for each game.

Dolphins vs. Bears NFL Preseason Betting Preview

NFL 2025 PRESEASON Week 1 • 1:00 PM ET • AUGUST 10, 2025
MIA @ CHI

SPREAD
Bears -3
TOTAL
O/U 35.5

• 🛡️ Defensive Advantage: Chicago's new defensive coordinator (ex-Saints coach Dennis Allen) was a smart hire as someone who is better suited for calling the defense instead of managing the entire team.
• ⚡ X-factor: The Bears are deep at wide receiver, but rookie Luther Burden is a very intriguing second-round pick who should play in the slot in Johnson's offense.
• ⚠️ Note: Miami coach Mike McDaniel (2022-24) has historically benched his starters, such as Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, for the preseason opener, which sounds like the plan again for Sunday.

The Ben Johnson era officially begins in Chicago with the Bears hosting the Miami Dolphins. Chicago is a 3-point home favorite as both teams feature offensive-minded head coaches who are considered quarterback gurus.

Coming into his fourth season, there is pressure on Mike McDaniel to lead the Dolphins to their first playoff win since the 2000 season. Coaches rarely get to stay for a fifth season and beyond without a playoff win, so the seat is getting hotter on McDaniel after his offense started to show some cracks in 2024. But he's also trying to keep this team healthy through August as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has notoriously struggled with concussions.

Meanwhile, Ben Johnson has been saying all the right things this offseason about his plans for Caleb Williams and rebuilding the offense around his talents instead of asking him to be Jared Goff from Detroit. But now it's time to put that offense to the test on the field in a live game. The Bears used trades to beef up the offensive line with guards Joe Thuney (Chiefs) and Jonah Jackson (Rams), and they added more weapons in the draft for Williams in tight end Colston Loveland (may not play Sunday due to shoulder surgery recovery) and rookie wide receiver Luther Burden.

  • Dolphins O/U regular season win total for 2025: 7.5
  • Bears O/U regular season win total for 2025: 8.5

We'll see how much Caleb Williams plays, but the Bears have experienced backups in Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum. Miami could see the NFL debut of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers after the team drafted him in the seventh round, and they also signed Zach Wilson this offseason to back up Tagovailoa.

🎯 SFA Betting Prediction: Ben Johnson will want to make a great first impression on the home crowd of Chicago with a young and hungry team, so look for the Bears to cover the 3-point spread here.
Dolphins vs. Bears NFL preseason odds at FanDuel

Odds are accurate at the time of posting – August 10.

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Saints vs. Chargers NFL Preseason Betting Preview

NFL 2025 PRESEASON Week 1 • 4:05 PM ET • AUGUST 10, 2025
NO @ LAC

SPREAD
Saints -1
TOTAL
O/U 36.5

• 🛡️ Defensive Advantage: Jim Harbaugh's LA defense was No. 1 in points allowed in 2024 and held the Lions to a single touchdown in last week's Hall of Fame Game.
• ⚡ X-factor: Chargers quarterback Trey Lance has a lot of preseason experience and played well a week ago.
• ⚠️ Note: Harbaugh's Chargers were 0-2 in home preseason games in 2024, losing by a combined score of 29-12.

The Saints vs. Chargers sounds like Drew Brees Memorial Day, as the legendary quarterback played for both teams. But Sunday's game sees the Saints as a 1-point road favorite, which may come as a surprise for a young team rebuilding under rookie coach Kellen Moore. The Chargers dominated Detroit, 34-7, in last week's Hall of Fame Game.

The Chargers come into this one with bad news from Thursday as left tackle Rashawn Slater, who just signed a four-year extension, suffered a season-ending ruptured patella tendon. That's unfortunate for a team trying to get its ground game going with rookie back Omarion Hampton, who didn't show much in his debut last week.

The Saints have low expectations coming off an injury-ravaged season that led to Derek Carr's retirement this spring. But they have a promising coach in Moore, who served as Philadelphia's offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning season. Moore has his work cut out for him on a team with many aging veterans and inexperienced youngsters as the Saints try to get on track.

  • Saints O/U regular season win total for 2025: 5.5
  • Chargers O/U regular season win total for 2025: 9.5

The Chargers won the turnover battle 5-0 against Detroit last week, so we'll see if they can continue their success at swarming the ball in this one. Meanwhile, we could see the NFL debut of second-round quarterback Tyler Shough for the Saints. He's engaged in a quarterback battle with Spencer Rattler, who started a few games last year after Carr's injury. The Saints are favored to finish last in the NFC South again this season.

🎯 SFA Betting Prediction: Between a rookie coach with limited offensive talent and how Harbaugh's defense looked last week, we're digging the under 36.5 points (-110 at Bet365).
Saints vs. Chargers NFL preseason odds at Bet365

Odds correct at time of writing (August 10, 2025)

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