Well friends, here we are. You have waited almost nine full months for this Friday to come – the Friday before the first week of the season. Many of you will be spending the next 48 hours thinking about wagers for this week. After all, football and gambling go together like bacon and bacon.
With a full slate of 16 games, 15 if you take away the one that was played last night, there are plenty of meaty morsels for the Armchair Betting Warriors to sink his teeth into. But be forewarned, picking football winners in the first week of the NFL season is tough. You might have a better chance of winning money, playing mobile casino games at luckyadmiral.com.
Regardless, after looking through my options on NFL’s Game Center and narrowing the field considerably, I came up with what I think are the four most solid picks this week:
Green Bay Packers (-7) at Chicago Bears
It may be a division rivalry with history, but it’s of Green Bay winning, in recent history. Nine of the last ten. All by more than 7 points. There is nothing in the offseason for either team that suggests that the outcome will be any different on Sunday.
Prediction: Green Bay – SU or ATS
New Orleans Saints (+2.5) at Arizona Cardinals
No Jimmy Graham anymore. Without the services of CJ Spiller. Even if you ignore the trends that the Saints lose on the road a lot, and the Cards are solid at home (6-1 ATS in their last 7), it’s tough to see New Orleans not losing their opener. And by more than a field goal.
Prediction: Arizona – SU or ATS
Carolina Panthers (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are terrible. Still. They don’t just lose, they lose by bunches. More than 3. Cam Newton is not terrible. Neither are the Panthers. I’m actually worried that Carolina is only favored by 3, and wonder what the bookmakers know that I don’t. Sure the Panthers are on the road, but I think they will take this one comfortably.
Prediction: Carolina – SU or ATS
Kansas City Chiefs (+1) at Houston Texans
Houston isn’t particularly good at home, – especially against the spread – losing 11 of their last 16. Add no Arian Foster for Houston and you have the makings of a solid road win for Kansas City. With giving them a point…
Prediction: Kansas City – SU or ATS
Obviously your mileage may vary, but these are my four most solid picks. Three-out-of-four road teams? Only in week one.
Some people think that the Dolphins are a solid pick over the Redskins, but they don’t know what they’re talking about. 😉
Gamble responsibly and good luck.
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