NFL Picks Week 1: Stone Cold Locks Against the Spread to Bet Big

Congratulations to all of those who backed the Dallas Cowboys in the opening game of the season, but it’s time to dig in and get ready for Week 1 to truly start.

There are 15 games left on the slate and a ton of value for gamblers to find this coming Sunday.

If you can’t decide on some locks of the week, here are a few of my picks to help you out.

*Point spreads courtesy of ScoresAndOdds.com

New England Patriots (-6) at Tennessee Titans

Tom Brady and the Patriots will begin their march back to the Super Bowl with a resounding victory over the Titans.

Even though the runner-ups in last year’s big game haven’t historically fared well in their season opener, the Pats are a different animal.

Unless Brady blows out his knee and the defense concedes a ton of points to Jake Locker’s offense, New England will win this by at least 10 points.

Prediction: Patriots 35, Titans 21

New Orleans Saints (-7) vs. Washington Redskins 

The Saints and de facto coach Drew Brees will open the season with a high-powered offensive assault against the ‘Skins.

They will be playing at home, in the dome, with a raucous crowd behind them. That will make a huge difference when Robert Griffin III steps on the field for his first taste of real NFL action.

While some might project a stumble out of the gate for New Orleans after its offseason woes, that simply won’t happen against an inferior team like Washington.

Prediction: Saints 28, Redskins 10

Arizona Cardinals (+3) vs. Seattle Seahawks

This is a high-value pick.

The Cardinals are trotting out the underrated John Sketon—who is 6-2 as a starter for this team—to open the 2012 campaign.

He’s got the capability to win the games and the offense will only be better with the addition of Michael Floyd this year.

Seattle will be starting Russell Wilson, a relatively unheralded QB drafted late in the third-round of this year’s draft, under center. He didn’t earn the job until midway through preseason.

Don’t expect a Cam Newton-like performance from Wilson this year to start out against Arizona.

Prediction: Cardinals 17, Seahawks 14