FINALLY the NFL is here and already we have had to me the biggest upset of the season as the Pats lose their home opener to the Chiefs, who put up 42 points on New England, which is really hard to believe. So if this is how the season is going to go we have more upsets coming. Just so you know I get my lines from Covers. Also you get very little out of the preseason so it will take me a few games to get a feel for how these teams are going to play this year. So here are my picks for week 1 in the NFL.
BEST BETS
My FIRST BEST BET is on the ATLANTA FALCONS on the road giving 6 points to the Chicago Bears. This could be one of the games that could be an upset because for the life of me I can't understand why the Falcons are not even a TD favorite. I have a lot more faith in Matty Ice covering the 6 then in Mike Glennon covering it. The stats are against the Falcons here as Super Bowl losers in the next season opener on the road are 2-15 SU/ATS since 1985. However, I can't go against one of the best offenses in the league last year against a Bears team that hasn't done much to improve their team. I like this game enough to lay the points and make the Falcons my FIRST BEST BET.
My NEXT BEST BET is on the HOUSTON TEXANS at home giving 5 points to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans like the Saints have had a massive hurricane devastate their city and just like the Saints this is the kind of thing that will bring out the very best in the Texans. Also some stats the Jags are 0-9 SU and 1-7-1 ATS their last 9 road openers. JJ Watts is back for the Texans and he should reek havoc on the Jags especially if they fall behind and Watts gets to go after Bortles. I think this game will be close for awhile but Houston will win and cover in the end. I like the Texans to win this game for the city of Houston and I am making them my NEXT BEST BET.
My NEXT BEST BET is on the ARIZONA CARDINALS/DETROIT LIONS game to go OVER 48. When these 2 teams play in Detroit going over has happened the past 5 meetings in Detroit and 9-3 to the over the past 12 meetings. Being in a dome and no weather problems to worry about I am going with the strong trend here and making the OVER my NEXT BEST BET.
My LAST BEST BET is on the CAROLINA PANTHERS on the road giving 4 1/2 points to the San Francisco 49ers. The way the Panthers finished last year at 6-10 and not making the playoffs has to have them chopping at the bit to come out of the gate strong. I will give you my pick right now for rookie of the year Christian McCaffrey and the Panthers have him. Cam should be close to 100% as he did not play much during the preseason. The last time these 2 met in SF the Panthers won by 19. As far as stats are concerned Carolina holds a 8-1 ATS record against the 49ers in SF. I think the Panthers definitely have to come out of the gate strong and I think they will. I am making the Panthers my LAST BEST BET.
REGULAR PLAYS
As for regular plays I like the Seattle/Green Bay game to go over 51. I like the New Orleans/Minnesota game to go over 48 on Monday night. I like Pittsburgh on the road giving 9 points to the Cleveland Browns.. I like the Cincinnati Bengals at home giving the Baltimore Ravens 3 points.(Sorry again Zack). Finally I like the Green Bay Packers at home giving the Seattle Seahawks 3 points.
Well that's it for the first week in the NFL. I will be back next week with more college and pro picks.
And as always - Remember to bet with your head and not over it.
