NFL Mikee's Week One Picks and Playoff Predictions

Welcome to the NFL 2009/2010 season. I am Thomas Moreland , also known as NFL Mikee. I will keep you on a winning path in your office pools and betting endeavors as the season rolls along. Play close attention every week to all my picks and you will do well.

Last season I was 70 games over 500 picking winners, and this season will be no different. In addition to picking the winners, I will also give you the point spreads and picks in a separate article every week, strictly for the gamblers.

Well, we have some great games to start off the season, so let's get right to it.

The Pittsburgh Steelers begin their title defense at home against Tennessee on Thursday night, Sept. 10th. Take the Steelers in this one, being at home, and the defense being very, very good once more.

The Steelers should win their division once more and contend for another Super Bowl. In fact, they are my AFC pick to go back to the Super Bowl.

Tennessee will have their hands full, competing with Indianapolis and the Houston Texans this season. They have a good team, but I am predicting a bit of a drop off from last season.

The New York Jets travel to Texas to play Houston in the first week. They will absolutely have their hands full and lose that first game to the Texans. I am going out on a limb here, but I predict the Texans finally make it to the promised land this season, and will see a playoff game.

The Jets, on the other hand, will battle Buffalo all season for the bottom of the AFC East.

The Miami Dolphins travel to Atlanta in the first week. That will not be a trip to bring back fond memories. Look for Atlanta, and a very potent offense, to beat Miami.

Matt Ryan will be better, that's right, better this season, and he has added Tony Gonzales to his weaponry. White has signed, and Micheal Turner will be a workhorse one again.

I am taking Atlanta to win that tough NFC South, with Miami also making the playoffs, as a wild card. Atlanta is also my pick to make it to the Super Bowl for the NFC this season.

Detroit is on the road against the New Orleans Saints, who are a good team at home. Take New Orleans in this one. Detroit may win a game or two this season, but not this week against Brees and company.

Jacksonville travels to Indianapolis to meet the Colts, and this should be a pretty good game. Of course, you have the ever-dangerous Peyton Manning against an expanded role in Jacksonville's offense with Maurice Jones Drew now that Freddy Taylor is gone.

Take the home team in this one. I can 't take Jacksonville quite yet until I see something positive from them in 2009/2010.

Jacksonville will probably finish out of the playoffs again, while the Colts win their division.

The Philadelphia Eagles travel on their first week to Carolina. This is a tough pick, with Michael Vick in the picture, and the horrible playoff loss Carolina suffered against the Cardinals last season.

I think the Panthers have a bit more to prove in this opener, so again, take the home team in this one. It will be interesting to see the Eagles offense tries to overcome a good team at home, as Carolina usually is during the season.

Minnesota goes to Cleveland in their opener, and expect a heavy dose of Adrian Peterson in this one. The run will set up the pass, and Brett Favre will get some kinks out, and start to get comfortable with the Vikings offense.

Cleveland will miss the playoffs in the first year of Mangini's reign. The Vikings are my favorite to win this division. I, for one, can't wait for Favre to play Green Bay. That's going to be fun, no matter what happens.

Dallas meets Tampa Bay in the first week, and with all the change in Tampa, this will be a tough start for the new coach in Tampa. Dallas will be all over the Buc's in this one. Dallas plays well the first couple of months of most seasons. Tampa Bay finishes last in the NFC South this season. Dallas may make the playoffs as a wild card.

Cincinnati hosts Denver in week one. Flip a coin. The Bengals showed signs of life late in the season, and Denver has Kyle Orton, an angry receiver, and a new coach. I will take the Bengals to win at home.

Kansas City with Matt Cassel travels to take on a playoff team from last season in the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Flacco should get better, and Cassel will feel much more pressure this season than he did with New England last year.

I will take Baltimore at home, but I am not confident to pick the Ravens or Kansas City to make the playoffs. Remember, I have Houston in that wild card spot this season.

The two worst teams of the league last season start off playing each other this season. The Rams travel to Seattle. Both teams should not have high expectations for the coming year, but I will give the edge to the Seahawks in this one.

This next game is very interesting as far as any chance of knocking Arizona out of that division title in the weak NFC West. Arizona should be able to win at home however, as the Forty-Niners are not quite there yet. 

The Giants open their season at home against Washington in a division rivalry, and I like the Giants at home. The tough NFC East is especially difficult to beat in their own stadiums. I think New York, Philadelphia, and Dallas will battle all year long in a very close division race. 

Washington will fizzle again, and perhaps Philadelphia will confound defenses with the addition of Vick. Or that could backfire, and New York and Dallas will benefit. This should be the most competitive division in the NFL this season.

Chicago goes into Green Bay to start the season, and Jay Cutler should give a big boost to the Bears' offense. Matt Forte will have more experience and it could be another long season for the Packers. I like Chicago in this one.

Finally, to end the first week, two games on Monday night. Buffalo hosts the Patriots, and this is a no-brainer. New England wins this one easily as my lock of the week.

San Diego opens up in Oakland, and I have to pick San Diego, with a healthy back field, and proven quarterback to win this game.

San Diego should win the AFC West, and New England steals the division from Miami this season.

There you have it. That's the first week in a nutshell. I see 10-6 quite easily, perhaps 11-5.

Look for my point spread winners on my next article two days before the season starts.

Thanks to all my fans and readers, and enjoy the 2009/2010 NFL season.

Thomas "NFL Mikee" Moreland