The 2016 NFL season finally begins this Friday with a massive Super Bowl rematch! We will have NFL betting tips all year long, starting with our 2016 NFL Week 1 Preview & Betting Tips which includes our best picks for the weekend.
NFL Week 1 Betting Tips
Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos (Friday 9th September at 10:30am)
The 2016 NFL season will start with a bang. In a Super Bowl 50 rematch that will see the Denver Broncos host the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. This is the ultimate revenge opportunity for Cam Newton and the Panthers but getting a win against the Broncos will not be as easy as everybody thinks.
In the offseason the Broncos lost Peyton Manning and then decided to let Brock Osweiler go to Houston. At first I thought this was crazy and stupid but the more I think about it the more it makes sense. The star of the show is the Denver Defense and believe it or not they may have improved in the offseason. Players such as Shane Ray, Shaq Barrett, Derek Wolfe and DeMarcus Ware are as disruptive as they come and the Broncos secondary could be the deepest in the NFL. Not to mention outside linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller.
There is something about this line (-3.0 Carolina) that doesn’t sit right with me. Don’t get me wrong. I love the way Carolina goes about its business and there is no doubting Cam Newton is a superman. However, If Cam Newton is superman then the Denver Broncos Defense is his kryptonite, until proven otherwise.
Prediction: Carolina 19, Denver 17
Tip: Total Points Under 41.5 - $1.96 at Sportsbet
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (Monday 12th September at 6:25am)
The Dallas Cowboys had high hopes this season and then Tony Romo broke his back. Despite losing their franchise quarterback the Dallas faithful still believe they are a chance. All because a rookie quarterback from Mississippi State played well in the pre-season. Please don’t fall for Dak Prescott’s preseason heroics. They mean nothing.
Dallas do have a fantastic Offensive line and a rookie running back that could be great. But the bottom line is the loss of Romo will be devastating.
The New York Giants have revamped their defense and they should be very good against the run this season. First year coach Ben McAdoo will have his work cut out for him especially trying to get this Offense to fire. Giants should get the win here with some clock management late in the game. There should also be plenty of three-and-outs to keep the score low.
Prediction: New York 24, Dallas 18
Tip: Total Points Under 46.0 - $1.86 at Sportsbet
New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals (Monday 12th September at 10:30am)
The Arizona Cardinals are one of the lucky teams that get to face the Patriots without Tom Brady. While Brady serves a four game suspension the Patriots will have Jimmy Garoppolo starting under centre. Jimmy may be talented but going into Arizona and expecting a win is out of the question.
The Patriots defense and coach Bill Belichick will do their best to avoid a blow-out.
On the other hand, The Cardinals are a genuine Super Bowl contender and will make the most of this opportunity. Head Coach Bruce Arians is an aggressive play caller and its always exciting to watch. This season could be the last roll of the dice for quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Prediction: New England 18, Arizona 28
Tip: Total Points Under 47.5 - $1.92 at Sportsbet
Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Redskins (Tuesday 13th September at 9:10am)
The NFL will open up week 1 with two Monday Night Football games. The first game is the Washington Redskins hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers at FedEx Field. The Redskins finished 2015 on a high with four straight wins (averaging over 32 points). Let’s not get to excited though. These wins were against weak opponents in games that didn’t mean all too much.
On a positive note the Redskins did acquire star cornerback Josh Norman from the Carolina Panthers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were once known as a defensively minded “Steel Curtain” and “Blitzburgh” team. However, they are now all about Offense and putting points on the board. Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown will arguably be the best quarterback/wide receiver combo in the league. I really like the Steelers this season but I think we will have to wait until the second half of the season to see the real Steelers.
The Steelers will have to wait until week 3 for their star running back Le’Veon Bell to return. This is one of the big reasons I believe the total game score will stay under 50 points.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 25 Washington 21
Tip: Total Points Under 50.0 - $1.92 at Sportsbet
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers (Tuesday 13th September at 12:20pm)
Two of the worst teams in the NFL will battle it out in the week 1 finale. That might sound a bit harsh but if you look at the coaching and quarterback situations for both teams you will see they are less than ideal.
The 49ers have named Blaine Gabbert at quarterback. Since entering the NFL Gabbert has been terrible. He is prone to fumbles and at times it all looks too much for him. The only consistent thing about the 49ers Offense is running back Carlos Hyde and he hasn’t been cleared by the NFL’s concussion protocol yet.
The much hyped LA Rams will have to rely on their talented defense to win games. Until the number 1 draft pick Jared Goff can develop (if he ever develops). In the meantime, Case Keenum will take all the snaps. The best thing he can do is hand it off to star running back Todd Gurley. Between the defense and Gurley, the Rams should get a week 1 win.
Prediction: LA Rams 28, San Francisco 17
Tip: Los Angeles Rams at the line (-2.5) - $1.86 at Sportsbet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
