[Mark's Moneymakers]

Copied and pasted my Thursday night thread (steelers/dolphins) play over here so all my picks are together in one thread.



What a great day it is going to be. The NFL officially kicks off Thursday night and my favorite team, the Miami Dolphins are playing at the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. I live about 100 miles outside of Pittsburgh and 95% of the people around here are steeler fans, I am definitely the minority. The Steeler fans already have a built in excuse in case they lose with “Big Ben” being out. I almost wish he was playing, so when we do beat them they would have no excuse. I guess you can tell who my pick is going to be on.


Here is how I am going to rate my plays this year in the nfl, it is the same as I do in college ball.

Best bets are three unit plays
Strong plays are two unit plays
Regular plays are for one unit

I am also making picks called opinions, the are just for fun and no units are involved.

I have a history of not doing so well in the nfl, so be warned. Last year was my best year in the nfl in a long time and I still lost money, but not very much. At least I can be honest about it. My goal this year is to make a profit, even if it is only $1.00


Miami +1 vs Pittsburgh (regular play)………………I know what you are thinking. As much as I talked in my first paragraph, how can this only be a one unit play? The answer to that is simple. Even with Ben, we are still playing at the Superbowl champion Steelers and you know they will be all fired up and emotion has much to do with winning. Of course you know my heart comes into play with this pick as well. With that being said, coach Saben is going to have his team ready to play, that is for sure. Miami’s first string defense looked very good in the preseason and now they get to play all four quarters. This is a statement game for the dolphins to prove to everybody that last years run at the end of the season was no fluke. Some people think Miami is way over-rated going into this season. I love having a real QB on this team. I think they are going to be a better team without Ricky as well, they don’t need the distractions and wondering what will happen to him with each drug test they had to give him. Ronnie Brown, given the chance and staying healthy is a 1500 yard rusher, write that down. If Miami can get off to a good start, scoring first would be great, they can win this game. If Pittsburgh comes out of fire and jumps in front by more than a touchdown, they could be in trouble. I really do think Miami is going to win this game, but I feel it would be foolish to put more than one unit on it. People think everybody is on Miami, that is not why the line went from five to one. Ben is a huge part of the steelers success and he will be missed. Charlie Batch is prone to mistakes and I am sure the dolphins are going to apply some extra pressure to him. I know I am going to be in front of my 50 inch high definition tv watching this one from start to finish. It should be a great game to start the season with.

I will be back sometime Thursday afternoon with all my nfl picks for Sunday. I have to work most of the weekend and will not be available to post, so I better get them in early.

Good Luck Everybody!! Back tomorrow with more.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is Thursday and I am back with the rest of my picks. For those of you who have checked out my college football plays, don’t expect the same type of write up in the pro’s. I just cannot think of, or have as much to say about the nfl. Maybe that is why I suck so bad in the nfl. I have a harder time digging for information or maybe I just spend all my time in the colleges, I don’t know. Anyway, here are the rest of my plays……


Cincinnati +2 vs Kansas City (best bet)……………..I think this Bengal team is loaded and as long as they stay healthy, they are going to represent the AFC in the Superbowl. Kansas City has a long history of doing great in their home openers, and that is the only reason they are favored in this one in my opinion. I might be wrong, it certainly would not be the first time in the nfl for me, but I think Cincy lights the Chiefs up here. Lets call it Bengals 34-20.

New England -9 vs Buffalo (best bet)…………….I also think this is the year of the return for the New England Patriots. They are going to fly under the radar in the first half of the season before people catch on that they along with the bengals are the team to beat in the afc. Of course I hate admitting that being a dolphins fan, but I feel it is the truth. Pats are going to make a statement and roll over the bills by 21 or more.

Colts -3 vs Giants (strong play)……….I know the giants are going to have a pretty good ball club this year, but I cannot pictures the colts being 0-1. I think big brother shows little brother how it is done in this game.

Carolina -5 vs Atlanta (strong play)………..This must be a mistake, is this game at Atlanta? No it is not. This line should be bigger. Mr Vick will keep his team in the game, but his mistakes will costs them the game, like usual. The Carolina defense will get to him and force a couple of turnovers leading to a carolina cover. It is funny though that the team picked by many to go to the Superbowl is only five at home. That is a red flag, but I will take it anyway.

Cleveland -3 vs New Orleans (regular play)………….Gut feeling here the browns put it all together for a game and win this one surprisingly easy. The dog pound will be barking at least for one game. This is a game they can win, they won’t get many like it.

Arizona -7.5 vs San Fran (regular play)………..This line 9 at most places, but betdon has it at 7.5 for those who want it. It looks real funny seeing Arizona being this big a favorite over anybody, doesn’t it? They will be opening their new ballpark and emotions will be high. In addition to that, they are getting a team that they should be able to handle. The addition of Edgerrin James is a huge positive. The niners are probably the worst team in the league and it will show against a fired up cardinal team.


OPINIONS (no units, just for fun)

Detroit +6 vs Seattle………There is always one game that you shake your head at the end of the day and wonder how in the world it happened. I have a crazy feeling Detroit shocks Seattle. Sunday isn’t Thanksgiving is it?

Over 46.5 Cincinnati/Kansas City………..I cannot picture these two teams stopping each other, can you? Carson Palmer will put up more and get the win, but this one might hit 65.

Green Bay +3.5 vs Chicago………..Another one of those possible games you shake your head at. Everybody know Brett Favre sucks anymore, but why do I get the feeling he puts together a great game and wins giving packers fans false hope for the rest of the season.

Tennessee -2.5 vs NY Jets……….I just don’t think the Jets have a clue what they are doing. I am sure even Jets fans might not get upset with me saying that.



I hope I have beginners luck in week one of pro football. I am warning you now, I usually lose. I have a habit of winning on Saturday and giving it back on Sunday. I never said I was smart. Good thing for the bookies I love to bet the nfl.

Good Luck Everybody!!

[Kidala]

Good luck in this season, mate!

[Tommy]

BOL Week 1 Mark. Have a great football season like you did in bases bro. Look forward to your picks and writeups all season long