NFL Schedule Week 1 2016: NFL Quick Picks For Patriots, Texans, Bills, And More

The NFL 2016 season is finally here, and the schedule for Week 1 certainly provides some exciting matchups with opportune picks. Whether you are a casual fan or a sports bettor, looking at the current NFL odds can give you insight into a game and help you choose the smartest picks. Football Locks provides all of the current NFL odds and lines.

Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans

The Chicago Bears travel to Houston to take on the Texans and kickoff is at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday. The Bears enter this game with a preseason record of 1-3 to face-off against a Texans team that went undefeated. Per their usual, the Bears should be struggling this season and momentum, as well as raw talent, is on the side of the Texans. The Texans are the favorite in this game by -6 points and the over/under is listed at 44 points.

Texans’ defensive leader J.J. Watt is returning from back surgery, but this should be a nonissue; the NFL superstar has remarked that he feels better now than he did during the second half of last season. The Bears facing off against the Texans is a tough way to start their NFL schedule. In addition, the Bears’ offense has struggled through the years and should continue to do so this Sunday.

Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans NFL Pick

Normally it is wise to steer clear with a large line of -6, but this is Chicago we are talking about and Houston shouldn’t have any problem running through them. This may be a game with the Texans primarily scoring, so staying away from the over/under and taking the Texans at -6 is the smart pick for this game.

Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Browns are on the road as they head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday. Giving the struggles of both teams, their NFL schedule is sure to be a tough one this season. The quarterback situation is interesting for both teams: backup quarterback Chase Daniel should be starting for the Eagles and Robert Griffin III hopes to rescue his floundering NFL career by starting for the Browns. RG3 had an enormous rookie season with the Washington Redskins, but the injury-prone player has struggled ever since. RG3 played briefly during the first game last season, but was on the bench for the remainder of the Redskins schedule. The NFL line has Philadelphia favored by -4 points and the over/under is at 41.

Next Sunday tho… @Browns Let’s Go #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/Fa3mgza5iy

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 4, 2016

Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles NFL Pick

Normally giving up -4 points against the Browns is a no-brainer, but with the uncertainty of both teams stay away from the line in this one. The over/under at 41 points is what stands out in this game. With both teams struggling defensively the over is the smart pick for this NFL game.

Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Bills hit the road and head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday. The Bills struggled last year just like they did this NFL preseason. Rumors are circulating that there is dissension in the locker room. Despite the individual talent the team may hold, they must work as a team if they are going to win games. The Ravens have issues of their own and hope to improve after last year. The NFL line has Baltimore favored by a field goal, because of home field advantage, and the over/under is at 44.5.

“There are no excuses.”

A healthy LeSean McCoy is taking 2016 as a personal challenge: https://t.co/5IOYJkSBBY pic.twitter.com/Efhqk6Mxte

— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) September 8, 2016

Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens NFL Pick

This game is one of the toughest picks of the NFL Week 1 schedule. While the Bills’ rumors have the team in some sort of supposed disarray, those are still just rumors. There are several talented players on that team and if they work well together, and fix their preseason issues, then they will be tough for Baltimore to handle. Buffalo’s offense looks more impressive despite the defensive edge going to the Ravens. Anything can happen in this game, so wiser heads should leave the over/under out of it. With this game being almost a pick ’em, the smart bet is a lean to Buffalo and taking the three points.

New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals

NFL Sunday Night Football kicks off this year with the Patriots traveling to Arizona to face the Cardinals at 8:30 p.m. EST. Arizona is a solid team and this schedule-opener against the Patriots may be the game of the week. The Patriots will be without Tom Brady for the first four games this season, but that hasn’t stopped them before. Arizona is favored by a whopping touchdown at their home turf and the over/under is at 47.

New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals NFL Pick

A rule of thumb with sports betting is that when two solid teams face-off against each other and the line is -6 or more, you take the points. This game is no different. NFL lines are often adjusted by bookmakers to lure in bettors for an upset. This is far too many points to give up going against Bill Belichick’s Patriots.

Yes, Brady won’t be playing in this game but the Patriots have fared well without Brady before, just like they did during last season at the beginning of their schedule. The Arizona offense is impressive and they may end up winning this game, but by a touchdown is unlikely. The over/under is at 47 and that’s also a bit high. The Patriots still have plenty of offensive weapons including Rob Gronkowski, and the smart bet is never giving up that many points against a team coached by Belichick. Leave this game alone or take the points, but don’t bet against the Patriots.

OTHER SPORTS ARTICLES FROM THE INQUISITR

NFL Schedule 2016 Week 1: ‘Super Bowl’ Rematch—Panthers vs. Broncos

NFL Preseason Week 2 Rob Gronkowski Injury Scare—The Madden Curse

NFL Preseason Scores plus NFL Week 1 2016 Schedule

Major WWE Update on Finn Balor’s Return

As the Inquisitr reported, the full 2016 NFL schedule for Week 1 is available and it is jam-packed with exciting games, and it also offers plenty of opportunities for some smart picks. For those wanting to look ahead of this season, ESPN provides the full NFL schedule for 2016.

[Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images]