Against the Spread: 2010 NFL Preview

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Next week marks the return of professional football. Or, as I like to say, it's the return to my annual tradition of (ahem) recreational investing. Needless to say, I'm excited.

Betting on NFL games and securities are similar. Both require lots of homework before placing your bets. Both require putting emotions aside when placing those bets. And both can reward those with the patience to work hard and learn from their mistakes.

So, yes, sports betting and stock picking go hand in hand. Whether it's in picking football games or picking constituents of the S&P 500, discipline needs to win out. For that reason, I will be researching as much as I can to provide you each week with several picks against the spread, should you (ahem) find yourself swilling free drinks at a sports book on the Vegas strip.

Yes, as per TheStreet's editorial policy, I am not allowed to buy or sell stock in any company. I'm not prevented, though, from traveling to any sports book in Las Vegas to make a few wagers on professional football games whenever the feeling arises. While I love the idea of watching 17 weeks of regular-season NFL games, I love the idea of gambling on them just as much. It's a good thing I have family living in Vegas to stay with, although I'm sure my wife would disagree.

These will be my opinions on the games based on what my research shows. They're for your enjoyment and shouldn't be taken as advice. I will be keeping track of wins and, more importantly, the losses. It's easy to trumpet your wins and move on, but it's equally as important to acknowledge your losses and learn from them, just as if you were investing in stocks. I will also be offering a pick for a knockout (or survival) pool, and I will be following those selections throughout the year.

Now, to be sure, I'm not some idiot off the street who spouts off on which game to bet on. I'm not calling into sports-radio talk shows each week sounding off on how the New York Jets will go 16-0, or how Brett Favre is going to throw 45 touchdowns this season. No, instead I choose to throw myself deep into the numbers to find an advantage, to find something that helps me figure out why, for example, the Seattle Seahawks, as an 8-point underdog, are a pretty good bet when playing at home against the San Francisco 49ers.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre