The 2013 NFL season and schedule are here, and that means that there are going to be some big time games over the course of the whole campaign. Join us for the 2013 Thursday Night Football schedule and check out all of the NFL games on the NFL Network this year!

Note: All Thursday Night Football games can be seen on the NFL Network except where noted, and all kickoffs are slated for 8:20 p.m. (ET).

This Week’s Thursday Night Football Game Preview
Seattle Seahawks -6
Arizona Cardinals +6
Over/Under 41

The Seattle Seahawks are starting to pull away from the rest of the pack in the NFC West, and there is no reason not to think that they won’t win the division title from here. They have the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football this week, and this battle is going to be stingier than you are probably thinking.

Head Coach Bruce Arians has the Cardinals really believing that they belong to be playing in games like these. They really had a chance against the San Francisco 49ers last week, and if not for four turnovers, they probably would have won the game. Instead, they are just 3-3, and though they are on the outside of the playoffs looking in, there is a real chance to make some noise over the course of these next three games. The team doesn’t leave home now for a month, and it has to capitalize even though it might be an underdog in all three of these clashes ahead with Seattle, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Houston Texans. QB Carson Palmer has turned the ball over a ton this year, as he is responsible for 11 picks and a good chunk of the team’s 15 turnovers.

That has to really have this Seattle defense smiling. The Seahawks have forced nine interceptions this year, many of which have come in the fourth quarter of games. DB Richard Sherman has a knack for the big play at the big moment, and you can bet that Palmer is going to want to stay away from him. Seattle hasn’t played nearly as well on the road as it has at home, but the truth of the matter is that the team really has only played one tremendously impressive game this season, that being the 29-3 win over the 49ers in Week 2. A win over the Jacksonville Jaguars was no great shakes, and a victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 wasn’t phenomenal either. Since then, there are three games against AFC South teams, and all three of those games could have been lost, yet all three really should have been won.

The Seahawks have had no luck whatsoever going on the road to the desert. The Cardinals have won and covered six of the last seven meetings between these two. Most remember the fact that Seattle won 58-0 when these two teams met last December, but they don’t remember the fact that a significantly worse Arizona team than this one came away with a win when these two hooked up here at University of Phoenix Stadium in September.

The 2009 College Football Season kicks off Thursday night with 9 different games that will take the spotlight as college football enthusiast tune in to the opening night of football. South Carolina travels to North Carolina State in the opening premier match-up which will be followed by a battle between top 25 teams No. 16 Oregon at No. 14 Boise State. There will be plenty of action throughout opening night and surely bettors will be eager to get an opportunity to make some quick cash and get things off to a good start to their seasons. Of course, most will be betting on the game totals and over/unders. However, we take a look at some interesting prop bets from BetUS Sportsbook (100% football bonus using this link) & Sportsbook.com (50% football bonus using this link) for the first night of football and break down unique ways to cash in and earn some money while watching these games.

Free Prop Bet Pick #1 – South Carolina Gamecocks at North Carolina State Wolfpack 

Double Result Odds:
South Carolina/South Carolina +250
South Carolina/Tie +2000
South Carolina/North Carolina State +500
Tie/South Carolina +2000
Tie/Tie +8000
Tie/North Carolina State +2000
North Carolina State/South Carolina +600
North Carolina State/Tie +1800
North Carolina State/North Carolina State -200

The “double result” bet is perhaps one of the simplest exciting bets with the opportunity to really make some money. If you are not familiar with this type of bet, you are basically predicting initially the winner of the first half and then the winner of the 2nd half. There are 9 different scenarios that can play out and all of them usually have profitable odds. North Carolina State will enter the game as 4 point favorites due to a strong offense behind the young talented quarterback of Russell Wilson. However, we tend to warn that Wilson and company may not have an easy task of overcoming the South Carolina defense. The Gamecocks secondary ranked 2nd in the country last season holding teams to just 159 yards per game through the air. South Carolina may have lost a large portion of that secondary, but they have a history of producing a strong secondary and have put plenty of cornerbacks in the NFL over the past few years. The Gamecocks defense will also be very solid up front and should get a lot of pressure making it difficult for the Wolfpack offense. The big question will be if the South Carolina offense can deliver. The quarterbacks had plenty of trouble last year throwing more interceptions than any team in college football (27). Stephen Garcia will be the man behind center this year and he has a lot of upside if he can be accurate. Even with 4 interceptions in the first half last year, the Gamecocks routed the Wolfpack in a 34-0 blowout on opening night. The Wolfpack should have no trouble getting on the board this year, but that is not to say they will have tons of success. The Gamecocks defense should get the job done again and it could be similar scenario despite what the media may be predicting.

Free Football Pick – South Carolina/South Carolina

Free Prop Bet Pick #2– Oregon Ducks at Boise State Broncos

Who will score first?
Oregon -105
Boise State -115

This particular game will highlight two very talented offense in what could very well turnout to be a high scoring shootout. The Ducks offense ranked 7th nationally in 2008 gaining 484 yards per contest while the Broncos ranked 18th racking up 440 yards per game. The over/under total is listed at a lofty 64.5 points a game so touchdowns are to be expected. However, who will score first? Well that could be simple if we first knew who would get the ball first? Well that may be a stretch, but both offenses should get the better of the defense. However, we all know how offenses some time take some rhythm before they spark early in the year especially in the opening match-up. Last year, it took Oregon until the end of the season before the offense became alive. Even if they are to come out ready this Thursday night they will play a solid Boise State defense that ranked 20th overall in 2008. The Broncos on the other hand will go against one of the worse pass defenses from 2008. Oregon ranked an extremely disappointing 111th last season against the pass allowing 270 yards per game. Add to the fact that the Broncos have only lost two games on their home field in the last ten years and there is plenty reason to think they will be the first to ignite on offense. Oregon will give them a run for their money, but they will likely make a late charge.

Free Football Pick – Boise State -115

Free Prop Bet Pick #3 – Utah State Aggies at Utah Utes

First Quarter Betting Line:
Utah State +4.5
Utah -4.5

The Utah Utes became college football’s version of a Cinderella story last year after an undefeated season that was captivated by a heroic and convincing victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Utah will enter opening night as the number 19 team in the nation when they travel to take on inner state foe Utah State. Utah had an impressive offense in 2009, but despite popular perception it was the defense that made the difference. The Utes will return 8 of those starters that contributed to the nations 11 best defensive unit. Utah State on the other hand returns one of the worse defenses in the land. The Aggies barely ranked inside the top 100 allowing 412 yards per game. The Aggies will have a solid quarterback in Diondre Borel, but it may be a difficult task overthrowing the Utes tough defensive front. The Utes should be able to control the Aggies fairly easy and that is a big reason they are 20 point favorites. America’s new favorite team should control this game from start to finish and the defense should keep the team from getting behind even if they are to come out flat. Points should be easy to come by and the Utes will led by two scores at the end of the first quarter.

Free Football Pick – Utah -4.5