I'm SO happy that it's "da foosball" season again! YIPPEE!  AND, the best part is I get to be on Casey's ever-so-handsome team! We're gonna kick some foosball booty. I still think my Brett has a few good years left. We're counting the points this year a so I've rubbed my largest crystal ball and these choices emerged for the first week of regular season foosball!

New York Jets -3  @ Miami

San Diego -9 @ Carolina

Kansas City +16½ vs. New England

Remember wager responsibly!

Your psychic pal,
Mona

Casey's PICKS

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!  Pro football warms the cockles of my heart, so me and my hot cockles are making these semi bold predictions:   I'll not be touching the so-called sexy picks this week, we'll leave that to the so-called sexperts.   Green Bay -2½ First off, Minnesota at Green Bay.  The Packers have certainly been in the news as of late, with their much maligned choice of Rogers over Farve.  Don't hate me Packer backers, but the suits in the frozen tundra probably did the right thing in the long run.  I see rookie starting quarterback mistakes on the horizon, but I also see the Packers taking this NFC Norse standoff.   Oakland +3 Denver at Oakland.  Mike Shanahan has done his best to beat the pants off Al Davis ever since Davis fired him as head coach of the Raiders.  Not only that, the Broncos have run up the score every chance they got.  not this time baby, Raiders in a squeaker at home.   Arizona -2½ And finally, the Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco.  Kurt Warner is starting for the Cards and he knows how to beat my beloved Niners.  Ouch!!  Casey Smith

Although no longer able to cheer on her Brett as a Green Bay Packer, our esoteric stargazing handicapper Mystic Mona can still watch Farr fling his passes "hither and yon" as a member of the NY Jets.

Readers will notice a new "twist" to the "Football Forecast". This season we are pitting "The Mouth" and I against Mona and the "ever handsome" (in Mona's eyes, anyway) Casey Smith, in a weekly segment called "The Beauties and The Beasts" (try to guess which is which...) You're right.... Of course, 'beauty is only in the eyes of the beholder". Some would think that I, being from San Francisco, would think that Casey is "ever handsome" also...

The fun does not stop with the rivalry between The Beauties and The Beasts". There will be some intramural competition between The Mouth and yours truly too.... He edged me last year, but, come on, can his luck carry over to this season? I predict my handicapping skill will win out over LUCK. Stay tuned....

We are forgoing the "no spread, pick every game on the card format, used last year, to each member of the two sides (Beauty-Beast) picking their top 3 games with a spread....

My three Beauty and the Beast picks are:

Chargers    - 9 vs. the Panthers

Bronco       - 3  at Raiders

Ravens      + 1½ vs. Bengals

As I sit in my Citadel overlooking the lights of the greatest city of them all, I can't help but wonder, "can the Books take another raid on their coffers by our loyal Friday Football Forecast disciples?.. I mean, 53% and plus 23½ stars (units)  (check archives here) that's nothing to sneeze at. At a "dime" per unit, 'comes to almost 50 "Gs" profit for the season by playing ½ to 5 units on our best bets each week......

Looking to fare as well this season, we'll start with the games below. Note the minuscule number of stars; while we wait for 2 or 3 weeks worth of stats to peruse.

These picks are rated from 1 to 5's with a point spread

½	Chargers - 9	@	Panthers
	Broncos  - 3	vs.	Raiders
½	Ravens + 1½	@	Bengals
½	Chiefs + 16½	@	Patriots
	Jaguars - 3	@	Titans
	Browns +5	vs.	Cowboys
	49ers + 2½	vs.	Cardinals

Remember, even though we experience very little precipitation here in Vegas "Save some $$$$" for a rainy day.

The Tout

A new season, hopefully a new administration and a fresh new outlook for the Mouth. Old habits die hard but as you will note in my first selection, I am nothing if not flexible (no mean feat at my age).

Detroit -3    I know, I know the Lions favored on the road. It’s so incredible that you have to lay it. Falcons are awful and will be operating with a rookie QB. Let’s throw caution to the wind!! Out with the old in with the new. Lions Baby!!!!

Buffalo PK.   Seahawks banged up, have defensive starters suspended and this looks a good spot for the Bills to unleash their running game (Marshawn Lynch). Cake!!!!

Tennessee +3     I'm not sure why Jacksonville is the favorite here. Surely not because one of their linemen is fighting for his life or their star RB (Fred Taylor) recently ran afoul of the law. I expect Vince Young to come up big (all the bad press about him should help) and the Titans to spring the "upset"

I used to urge caution on week 1 because of all the unknowns, but I'm changing that philosophy as well. What the hell, take off the rubberband!! What's the worst that can happen? We lose and have 19 more weeks to get even. Good Luck!!

The Mouth of Motown