NFL 2026 · Week 1
Away
BUF
Buffalo Bills
@
Home
HOU
Houston Texans
Kick-off
Mon 14 Sep, 3:00am AEST
Sun 13 Sep, 1:00pm ET
Venue
Reliant Stadium
Spread
HOU +1
Total
44.5
BUF ML
$1.92
HOU ML
$1.96
AU consensus as of 07/09/2026, 6:15:04 pm

Power Comparison

BUFRating +7.9
Off EPA/play
+0.193
Def EPA/play
+0.050
Exp points
22.5
Offence by zone
+.07
-.09
-.02
+.36
+.17
+.21
-.28
+.20
-.19
+.05
+.21
-.03
+.19
Defence by zone (EPA allowed)
+.28
-.04
+.01
-.08
-.40
-.09
-.01
+.12
-.04
+.17
+.06
+.06
+.13
HOURating +3.1
Off EPA/play
+0.022
Def EPA/play
-0.035
Exp points
19.6
Offence by zone
-.17
-.01
+.03
-.23
+.11
-.07
-.16
-.08
+.05
+.04
+.08
+.17
-.18
Defence by zone (EPA allowed)
+.20
-.01
-.37
-.14
-.07
-.28
+.03
+.06
-.13
-.09
+.01
-.15
+.08
Zone cells are EPA/play vs league mean, left to right in model order. Green = better for that team. Hover a cell for the zone name.

Matchup Edges

BUF offence vs HOU
short-left passing
+0.23 EPA/play
BUF offence vs HOU
runs off right tackle
+0.28 EPA/play
BUF offence vs HOU
runs behind left guard
+0.26 EPA/play

Market

Spread (HOU)
Open +1 → Now +1·Move 0.0
AU best
HOU +1.5 @ $1.85 TAB
AU best (other side)
BUF -0.5 @ $1.90 SportsBet
Global best
HOU +1.5 @ $1.87 DraftKings
Total
Open 44.5 → Now 44.5·Move 0.0
AU best over
Over 44.0 @ $1.85 PlayUp
AU best under
Under 44.5 @ $1.90 SportsBet
Global best over
Over 44.0 @ $1.85 PlayUp
AU best BUF ML
$1.92 SportsBet
AU best HOU ML
$1.96 SportsBet
11 AU books · 32 total · 3 snapshots

The Call

No edge
Model HOU -2.9 · total 42.1
Spread · Analysis
BUF -0.5
$1.90 SportsBet
Edge +1.4PASS
Total · Analysis
Under 44.5
$1.90 SportsBet
Edge +1.9PASS

The model gives Buffalo a small edge on the road, projecting a 2.9-point Bills win against a market that has Houston as 1-point favourites. The gap versus SportsBet's -0.5 line for Buffalo (best AU price at 1.9) is only 1.4 points, well short of the 10-point bar the model needs before week 6. The total is the primary market here: the model projects 42.1 against a line of 44.5, a 1.9-point edge at SportsBet's 1.9 price on the under, again short of threshold. Both markets are labelled PASS, so this is analysis, not a tip. Historical early-season backtest claims are withheld from this display unless independently verified.

There's no 2026 play-by-play yet, so both ratings blend last season's form with the market's post-offseason view of each team (the market anchor), scaled by roster continuity. The one live signal is Buffalo's short-left passing game, rated +0.23 EPA/play better than Houston's defence handles it, part of why the model leans Bills, but with Houston's defence otherwise sound and no quarterback hand adjustment applied, nothing here clears the model's own bar.

Why · BUF short-left passing (+0.23 EPA/play vs HOU)

Tracked Bets

Spread
0-0
Total
0-0
Units
0.0
2026 season graded betting log through Week 0 · last updated 07 Sept 2026, 06:52 pm
Recorded bets only. Published model selections and historical backtests are tracked separately.
Weeks 1 to 5 are published analysis-first while the current-season play sample is still small. Ratings lean more on prior-season performance, market anchors, roster continuity and supported manual adjustments until the 2026 sample grows. PLAY labels are model recommendations, not confirmation that a bet has been placed. Historical early-season backtest claims are withheld from this display unless independently verified.

Analysis only. Not financial advice. Gamble responsibly. Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858. Read our responsible gambling policy.

savvyplays.comPublished 07/09/2026V3.2