This season’s NFL players are signed and in training camp. That can only mean one thing: It’s about time we start talking about football picks for the 2013-2014 NFL football season. Here’s a quick rundown of the best NFL football picks for the 2013-2014 preseason and Week 1 of next season.
preseason
If you’re looking for betting action on NFL preseason games, the first weekend of August is the place to be. The Dallas Cowboys face the Miami Dolphins in the Hall of Fame game. The odds are tight: The Cowboys are 1.5-point favorites, which is not a favorite at all, and the projected point total is just 34 points. There are a couple of considerations to take into account when deciding where to put your money on this game. The Cowboys’ lineup took some serious hits last season, and they’ve spent most of the offseason trying to bounce back. Meanwhile, Miami has completely revamped their offensive line, so they’re still working out the kinks. Regardless, Miami is likely to overcome the spread and pick up a win as a small underdog.
Week 1 games to watch
Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos
In the Week 1 NFL matchups, the game to watch is the Ravens at Denver. Whatever happens, the game is already one for the history books because it’s the first time a defending Super Bowl champion has started the season on the road. The teams will meet at Mile High Stadium with the Ravens as 8.5-point underdogs. That may sound bleak until you remember that Baltimore has beaten the spread in its opener for the last five years, and has gone 8-2-1 against the spread in its last 11 matchups with the Broncos. We expect Baltimore to continue the trend and close the gap again this year.
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
The losing half of last year’s Super Bowl game continues to fascinate. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Packers twice during the regular season and knocked Green Bay out of the playoffs at the division level. The Niners enter the game as 5-point favorites against the Packers, but there are a few factors to consider before placing your bet. First, there’s the trend of Super Bowl losers: In 11 of the last 12 seasons, the team that lost the previous Super Bowl also lost its season opener. Add that to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ record against the 49ers and the relative inexperience of San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick, and you’re looking at a decent shot for the Packers to get past their margin.
If that’s not enough action for you, you can also take a look at the 2013-2014 NCAA College Football Futures Picks and 2013=2014 NCAA Football Playoff Lines and find out your best odds and bets there for next year.