5 early best bets for the NFL season

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Bettors, fantasy players, and football fans alike rejoiced Thursday when the NFL released its full, 17-week schedule. Now it's time to get to work.

If you want to profit in the NFL markets, you have to look ahead. Pinpointing future situational spots is beneficial when dealing with such a long layoff between seasons. Notable factors include travel, weather, bye weeks, and prime-time slots.

We're looking at the five best situational bets to make on the full season's schedule.

Week 7 - Bears at Rams (-3.5)

This is going to be a tough spot for Chicago. The Bears have a prime-time game against the Buccaneers in Week 5, a road contest at Carolina after that, and then this cross-country trip to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Rams play in San Francisco in Week 6, so there won't be any travel-related issues. Lay the chalk in this spot.

Pick: Rams -3.5

Week 17 - Dolphins at Bills (-8)

It's not easy for a team that traditionally hosts its games in the heat to travel to the much colder climate in Week 17 and play an otherwise meaningless game. That's likely what we'll see when the Dolphins go to Buffalo to close out the 2020 campaign.

Miami did some good things this offseason but is still a few moves away from competing. The Bills are looking to capture a playoff spot, so this could be a bloodbath.

Pick: Bills -8

Week 15 - Jaguars at Ravens (-15.5)

No, your eyes do not deceive you. The Ravens are in fact laying more than two touchdowns against another professional franchise. However, not only is the playing field tilted between these two, but the spot lines up terribly for the Jaguars.

Jacksonville will play indoors in Minnesota and then host the Titans in Florida before this matchup. The Week 15 tilt against Baltimore is another case of fading a warm-weather team in the cold - especially against a superior opponent - after it plays two games in controlled settings.

Pick: Ravens -15.5

Week 10 - Buccaneers at Panthers (+4.5)

Carolina is one of the easiest opponents on Tampa Bay's schedule - the two square off twice - but this is a spot in which I'd bet the Panthers. The Buccaneers have three consecutive prime-time games prior to this contest, and then another one right after it. This is a hangover spot waiting to happen.

Pick: Panthers +4.5

Week 7 - Seahawks at Cardinals (+2.5)

Betting road teams that are coming off a bye has been profitable in the past. Seattle is in this position in Week 7 when it makes a short trip to Arizona following some rest and recuperation. My initial gut reaction is to take the Seahawks, as they'll play a Cardinals team coming off three straight road games.

Pick: Seahawks -2.5

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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