NFL Week 1 Free Picks

Getting geared up for the 2016 NFL betting season? Get your bets in now — especially with some lines that you think are a little off. Here are some of our suggestions for the best Week 1 free picks — so get them before the lines move.

Here’s a Look at the NFL Week 1 Free Picks

One Sunday Closer To ! pic.twitter.com/GBp7Mwgu2M

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 17, 2016

Thursday, September 8

Carolina at Denver (-1.5)

I’m really not sure what the oddsmakers are thinking here. Sure, the Denver defense managed Carolina in the Super Bowl. But will they be as hungry in Week 1? Also, the Broncos had Peyton Manning running things, not Mark Sanchez. I’m not sure why the Broncos thought Mark Sanchez would be a better option at quarterback than Brock Osweiler, who they let go to Houston in free agency even though he filled in quite nicely for Manning when Manning was out with injury. I see the Panthers defense feasting on Sanchez…and I see the hungry Panthers taking this win.

Sunday, September 11

Cleveland at Philadelphia (-7.5)

The return of RGIII at the helm of the Cleveland Browns should mean an upward jolt in their fortunes. But even if things take a little while to click, the Eagles aren’t going to be hitting the field in dominant style on offense, as Sam Bradford has a long way to go before he is seen as a franchise quarterback. The Browns have the better defense, and I see this being a low-scoring affair. Will the Browns win straight up? Not sure. But I definitely don’t see the Eagles winning by more than a touchdown. The over/under on this game is 45.5 points right now, and I definitely take a look at the under.

Green Bay at Jacksonville (+3.5)

The Jaguars did have a better defense last year, and Blake Bortles took more steps toward becoming a reliable NFL signal-caller. However, the Packers just have too many weapons, and their offensive line won’t be shredded to bits in Week 1, like it was down the stretch last year. I just don’t see the Jaguars managing Green Bay even well enough to keep the game this close. I like the Packers to win and cover.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas (-4)

This game went right down to the wire last season, as the Cowboys needed not one but two drives the length of the field in the fourth quarter to get a nail-biter of a victory. The Giants have a new head coach — but not a lot of new talent on either side of the ball, so they are a big question mark. The Cowboys still have that rock-solid offensive line but now have Ezekiel Elliott to zip through those holes at tailback instead of the pedestrian Darren McFadden. I like the trio of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Elliott to win and cover in this one.

New England at Arizona (-1)

How do these two teams respond to their losses in the conference championships? We saw some of the limitations of Carson Palmer when he was playing under the brightest lights — turnovers at the worst possible time. The Patriots will be playing this game with backup Jimmy Garoppolo running the offense thanks to that Brady suspension, though, and I see the Cardinal defense giving him fits. I like Arizona to win and cover. The over/under total is 51.5, though, and that seems high with a backup quarterback running one team. I’d take the under on that one.