NFL FOOTBALL PICKS ATS - FREE WEEKLY EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Early action on the Broncos as a 2.5-point underdog would suggest that there are some individuals that saw the equity in Denver's tag even before the pending Brown suspension. With or without AB lining up split wide, this is a much better Denver team up against a Raiders squad that still has yet to find its feet under John Gruden. I don’t expect anything to change other than Oakland’s cover streak coming to an end. I have Denver winning this one by double digits.

I don't know, will the calls go the Saints way after last season's NFC championship game debacle? Houston played everyone tough last season after Week 3 winning nine straight and 11 of their last 14 (two losses were by three or fewer points) and may be improved over last season. The Saints are dealing with some defensive injuries.

It's hard to tell how the Elliot situation will affect Dallas; he could come out gangbusters and carry this team, or he could play sparingly and/or be ineffective. We just don't know. But we do know that New York was a better team last year than its record would indicate, and it played the Cowboys tough twice last season. We expect this one to be close, too, so we're taking the Giants and the points for our free NFL pick.

The Jets will be rocking some new jerseys in New Jersey in this NFL opening game. I like the prospect of the Jets, making those jerseys look extra sharp when their offense finally gets firing on all cylinders. Quarterback Sam Darnold is back under center with a year of experience under his belt, and he returns two wide-receivers in Quincy Enunwa and Robbie Anderson that both have 1,000-yard/10-touchdown capability if Darnold can get the ball to them. With Bell and Bilal Powell both available to keep opposing defenses honest, we will see a much different Jets team than we did it in its previous edition. I like the Jets to cover this number easy and win against their divisional nemesis by at least a touchdown. Lay the field goal with confidence.

Many signs here point toward Minnesota; Cook is back, the defense will again be tough, and the Vikes own a tremendous home-field advantage. However, we expect Atlanta to be improved on defense and in the running game, and we'll give the Falcons the edge in the quarterback comparison. So we're taking Atlanta and the points for our free NFL pick here.

The Bears have the defense, and they won the NFC North last season, but the Packers have Rodgers. I think Green Bay is in for a big-time rebound season and that will begin in this game, Even in the Windy City and with the D, the Bears have the Packers are the pick in this game. Rodgers will get some help in the run game, and he will do the rest while the Green Bay defense will have a good season-opening showing. The Packers will cover the spread and not only that, but I am taking them to win the game outright.

Both these teams will probably play many starters for at least a half, including the quarterbacks. And yet both are getting good play out of their back-ups QBs. We're not sure who's going to win this game, but we do expect some points to be scored. So we're going with the over here for our free NFL pick.

Oakland without Carr might be a better team than Green Bay without Rodgers. The Packers, as usual, are having trouble running the ball, and their defense has allowed 755 yards through two exhibition games. Meanwhile, Coach Gruden is apparently trying to use these games to instill a winning atmosphere. We like the Raiders here, and we'll play them for the win on the NFL money line.

New England is just the better, deeper team here. The Patriots should possess a lead when Brady leaves the game, and then they still own the better back-up quarterback situation. In fact, we're surprised they're not favored by more than three points.

Ryan playing a couple of series could mean 3-10 points to Atlanta, and the Falcons backup QBs have looked good so far. Meanwhile, the New York defense gave up a bunch of yards through the air last week. We like Atlanta here at home giving a short spread.

Baltimore seems to take these exhibition games more seriously than most. Also, Green Bay got out-played last week. Also, the Ravens own the better and deeper defense. We're betting Baltimore here.

Motivation means a ton when it comes to handicapping these pre-season games, and in this spot, Washington needs a better showing more than Cleveland. Plus, the Redskins should give Haskins some work, and they might own the better defense. We'll take Washington.

The Patriots get the automatic edge betting the side in this game given their experience on the NFL’s biggest stage. However, the big question when it comes to the total line is will the game turn into a shootout as the current 56.5-point betting line suggests.

Even after shutting out the high-powered Chiefs in the first half of AFC title game, the Patriots gave up 31 points. I think it is going to take more than 30 points to beat the Rams this Sunday in a game that once again goes OVER.

Like what we have seen in both conference championship matches, this game will also likely be settled on the final possession. This contest may have shades of the first meeting between these two sides in 2002 with a late New England field goal deciding the outcome. Either way, Brady gets his sixth ring, and the Patriots cover while he does so.

This game will likely be settled on the final possession. One can expect to see a lot of scoring here by virtue of quick strike drives predominantly through the air. This game should see both teams eclipse the 30-point threshold and as a result, puts the Over at the current number is well within reach.

Kansas City looked like one of the best teams in the NFL all season long, and that didn't change in their first playoff win. The Chiefs will have home-field advantage for this game, and all signs point to them reaching the Super Bowl. But, as long as the Patriots still have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, I refuse to bet against them. They have done this too many times, and they know how to win on the road in the playoffs.