NFL Free Picks – Week 1

The 2010 NFL Season kicks off this week with a full slate of games and we are Sportsbook Veteran will be posting our free picks for every single game this year. Our previews won’t always be in-depth and sadly we won’t always be right but looking at the last few years, we’ll be more right than wrong.  Take them with a grain of salt and we implore you to do your own research before throwing down your hard-earned money betting on the NFL.

Thursday Night Game On NBC

Minnesota Vikings           +5 -110                 +200
Game Total         48½
New Orleans Saints         -5 -110                  -240

Brett Favre is back…I feel like I’ve wrote that before, I don’t trust him or his bum ankle especially against the Super Bowl Champions. The Vikings have a solid defense but it will be working overtime against the Saints video game offense.  Favre will look every bit of his age in this game and the Saints will run up the score.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: New Orleans Saints -5

Sunday Games

Carolina Panthers            +6½ -110              +240
Game Total         41
New York Giants              -6½ -110               -290

The Panthers will be much better than everyone expects this season, so will the Giants. I would feel better about this line if it was 7 points.  I’m just being greedy because I would have opened this line at 3.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Carolina Panthers +6½

Miami Dolphins                 -3 -120                  -175
Game Total         38½
Buffalo Bills                         +3 +100                +155

CJ Spiller has been named the starter for the Bills but they don’t have enough weapons to compete with the Dolphins. I’m big on the Dolphins this season and they will need to show they belong with the Patriots and the Jets in any AFC East title talks. This is a must win game for the Dolphins.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Miami Dolphins

Atlanta Falcons                                 -2½ -110               -135
Game Total         37½
Pittsburgh Steelers         +2½ -110              +115

I’m big on the Falcons this year and down on the Steelers, I like Dennis Dixon but he won’t be enough to carry the Steelers to a win. -2½ is nice line considering this game will come down to a FG.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Atlanta Falcons -2½

Detroit Lions                      +6½ -110              +230
Game Total         44
Chicago Bears                    -6½ -110               -270

The Detroit Lions are going to surprise and win some games this year and with Suh on the defense, the team becomes a lot better.  I think they get to Cutler early and I’m tempted to take the Lions on the Moneyline.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Detroit Lions +6½

Cincinnati Bengals            +4½ -110              +180
Game Total         45
New England Patriots     -4½ -110               -220

This could turn into an Air Show with Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Chad Ocho Cinco in the same game. Brady got paid and he’ll perform, Randy Moss didn’t get paid and he’ll be looking for his next paycheck. Patriots win this by a touchdown.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: New England Patriots -4½

Cleveland Browns            +3 -120                 +130
Game Total         37
Tampa Bay Buccaneers  -3 +100                 -150

This is going to be an ugly game and I’m leaning towards the Browns, just for the fact that Jake Delhomme will be pumped up and looking to prove he’s still an NFL worthy QB. He’ll stink in week two but week one the Brown win outright.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Cleveland Browns +3

Denver Broncos                +2½ -110              +115
Game Total         40
Jacksonville Jaguars        -2½ -110               -135

Both teams could be horrible or they could look good because their opponents could be bad. I don’t want to take this game, I won’t bet this game but we said we’d have a pick on every game all year…I’ll take the Broncos because I’m a huge Kyle Orton fan.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Denver Broncos +2½ begrudgingly

Indianapolis Colts             -2½ -110               -135
Game Total         47
Houston Texans                               +2½ -110              +115

I’m surprised this line is so low and it scares the heck out of me that the Colts are favored my less than a field goal. This is the fourth year that Houston is supposed to be good and I’ve quit believing. Unless people are betting on a Colts Super Bowl hangover, really I just don’t get it.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Indianapolis Colts -2½ betting the House

Oakland Raiders               +6 -110                 +230
Game Total         40½
Tennessee Titans             -6 -110                  -270

The Raiders have been so bad for so long but they are getting more respect than I would have given them.  The Titans always finish strong and if Jeff Fisher can get them started early, they could challenge for the AFC South.  The Raiders are going to give this game away late.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Tennessee Titans -6

Green Bay Packers          -3 -105                  -155
Game Total         47
Philadelphia Eagles          +3 -115                 +135

Just like everyone, I’m big on the Packers and with the line only at 3 points, I’m all over the Packers, it might bite me in the ass but I’m going to ride and die with the Packers this year.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Green Bay Packers -3

San Francisco 49ers         -3 -105                  -150
Game Total         37
Seattle Seahawks            +3 -115                 +130

This game opened with the Seahawks as the -1 point favorites, I’ve been kicking myself all week that I didn’t take the plus points but I’ll live with the 49ers at -3.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: San Francisco -3

Arizona Cardinals             -4 -110                  -210
Game Total         39
St Louis Rams                     +4 -110                 +170

Who will Sam Bradford throw the ball to? Derek Anderson had a huge season in Cleveland one year and he’s never had this kind of talent around him. The Cardinals will win this game and should cover the spread. St. Louis has been so horrible in the last few years, they won’t win many this year.

Sunday Night Game

Dallas Cowboys                 -3½ -110               -200
Game Total         40½
Washington Redskins     +3½ -110              +165

This is a tough game for Mike Shanahan and the Redskins to open the season. The Cowboys are supposed to challenge for the NFC title but with McNabb giving the ‘Skins more offense than they’ve had in years. I’m leaning Cowboys but I’d suggest betting very small on this game.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Dallas Cowboys -3½

Monday Night Games

Baltimore Ravens             +2½ -110              +115
Game Total         36
New York Jets                   -2½ -110               -135

The Ravens are my pick to win the Super Bowl this year and I am so much against the Jets this year my opinion may be clouded. I love the new targets Joe Flacco has to throw to in TJ and Boldin. Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain running the ball, the Jets defense is good but it will be overmatched against the Ravens. Don’t be surprised if Mark Sanchez throws a pick six to lose the game.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: Baltimore Ravens +2½

San Diego Chargers         -4½ -110               -220
Game Total         45
Kansas City Chiefs            +4½ -110              +180

I’m back and forth on the Chiefs, they have lots of talent in key positions but they are devoid of any depth. The Chargers have a ton of talent but I’m not big on them this year, there is dissention in ranks and that usually doesn’t work out well for the Chargers. Still they have enough juice to get past the Chiefs by a touchdown Monday night.

Sportsbook Veteran Free NFL Pick: San Diego Chargers -4½