NFL Picks Week 1: Teams Sure to Beat Their Opening Game Spreads

Betting on NFL games has become as much a part of the allure of professional football as the game itself.

No matter where you look—television, the radio or your local newspaper, you are bound to find someone talking or writing about the point spread for that coming week's games and which games they think are the "best bets" of the week.

Bleacher Report is no different, so without further ado, I give you a quartet of teams who are sure to beat the spread in their Week 1 action.

Chicago Bears (-9) vs. Indianapolis Colts

There is no question that the Colts are a much more dangerous team in 2012 than they were in 2011. Adding Andrew Luck to the mix will do that to a team.

But the same can be said about the Chicago Bears, who were pretty darn good in 2011 before Jay Cutler went down after getting pounded on by opposing defenses week after week.

With an improved offensive line and the addition of weapons like Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, Cutler will have a field day against an over-matched Colts' defense that simply isn't up to the task.

The Colts will score some points, but the discrepancy in talent between the two clubs will become apparent early, and the Bears won't look back in a game that could be out of reach for Indianapolis by halftime.

Take the Bears giving nine points, and I'd still take them even if the spread reached double digits.

Washington Redskins (+7) vs. New Orleans Saints

As long as Drew Brees is quarterbacking the team, the Saints will remain one of the league's most potent offensive attacks. But a tumultuous offseason that resulted in the club losing both Head Coach Sean Payton and assistant coach Joe Vitt to suspensions will have a negative impact on the team.

Not to mention that the heart and soul of their defense, linebacker Jonathan Vilma, has been suspended for the season as well, and his loss is one that will become the most evident on the field early in this game.

With explosive rookie Robert Griffin III a dual threat, able to cause havoc with both his arm and his legs, the Saints defense will have their hands full trying to contain the second overall pick in this year's NFL draft.

Brees' experience and talent will lead the Saints to victory, but they won't beat the Redskins by a touchdown.

Take the 'Skins and the points.

Philadelphia Eagles (-8.5) vs. Cleveland Browns

The Eagles are a motivated bunch, Michael Vick is healthy (supposedly) and the Browns are over-matched at every position on the field.

Philadelphia's improved defense will eat Browns rookie QB Brandon Weeden alive, give Trent Richardson no room to run and much like the Bears/Colts game, this one could be over by halftime.

Take the Eagles giving the points. This one could get ugly.

New England Patriots (-6) vs. Tennessee Titans

Titans QB Jake Locker might put up points against an improved Patriots defense, but the Titans' defense has no answers for Tom Brady and his explosive offense.

The addition of defensive end Kamerion Wimbley and using linebacker Akeem Ayers to rush Brady will help their anemic pass rush as the season goes on, but they'll find little success against the Patriots.

Brady will have plenty of time to pick apart the Titans' secondary, leading to a 30-point-performance by the Patriots' offense, a pace that the Titans simply cannot keep up with.

Take the Patriots giving six.

*All point spreads courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.