NFL Picks 2016: Division Winners, Super Bowl Teams And Best Bets For Season

The long wait is just about over: Football’s return is upon us.

The National Football League makes its triumphant return Thursday, Sept. 8, and it’s not a day too soon, with a Super Bowl 50 rematch between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.

The season opener kicks off the most wonderful time of the year for football fans, who realize there’s nothing better than knowing you have five months of weekly gridiron action in front of you.

And for bettors, you know there’s plenty of betting action to be had in the coming weeks and months.

Before you make your final season-long wagers on over/unders and prop bets, check out the premiere of “The Spread: NESN’s Football Picks Podcast” above, where NESN.com’s Mike Cole, Ricky Doyle and Andre Khatchaturian make their picks (with plenty of help from OddsShark.com) for the season and give their opinion on some of the best long-term value picks.

You also can see the guys’ picks below.

Be sure to check back each week during the season for the guys’ weekly picks against the spread.

2016 NFL PICKS

MIKE COLE
AFC East: New England
AFC North: Cincinnati
AFC South: Houston
AFC West: Kansas City
AFC wild cards: Pittsburgh, Denver

AFC Championship: New England over Kansas City

NFC East: New York Giants
NFC North: Green Bay
NFC South: Carolina
NFC West: Arizona
NFC wild cards: Seattle, Dallas

NFC Championship: Seattle over Arizona

Super Bowl: Seattle over New England

RICKY DOYLE
AFC East: New England
AFC North: Pittsburgh
AFC South: Houston
AFC West: Kansas City
AFC wild cards: Cincinnati, Jacksonville

AFC Championship: Kansas City over Pittsburgh

NFC East: New York Giants
NFC North: Green Bay
NFC South: Carolina
NFC West: Arizona
NFC wild cards: Seattle, Minnesota

NFC Championship: Arizona over Carolina

Super Bowl: Arizona over Kansas City

ANDRE KHATCHATURIAN
AFC East: New England
AFC North: Pittsburgh
AFC South: Jacksonville
AFC West: Kansas City
AFC wild cards: Cincinnati, Oakland

AFC Championship: Pittsburgh over New England

NFC East: New York Giants
NFC North: Green Bay
NFC South: Tampa Bay
NFC West: Seattle
NFC wild cards: Carolina, Arizona

NFC Championship: Seattle over New York Giants

Super Bowl: Seattle over Pittsburgh

Thumbnail photo via Jeremy Brevard/USA TODAY Sports Images