Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 19, 2026 in Blog |
2026-27 NFL SEASON: WEEK 2 – ANALYSIS AND PICKS
2026-27 NFL BETTING RECORD:
WINS — 7
LOSSES — 9
PUSH — 1
NET WIN/LOSS — – $340.
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS — 7-9-1 (- $340)
STARTING BANKROLL: $10,000.
CURRENT BANKROLL: $9,660.
ALL WAGERS ARE FOR $100 EACH AND ARE PRICED AT THE STANDARD 110/100 VIG, (UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
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PITTSBURGH at NEW ENGLAND
Line: Patriots -5.5
Total: 41.5 points
One thing to look at in early-season Steelers’ games is how coach Mike McCarthy might be changing the complexion of the offense. This could be a very different team than Mike Tomlin’s unit. In recent seasons, we think of Pittsburgh as more of a power rushing team. But if last week’s game-plan is any indication of what to expect, they’re likely to start passing more than the prop numbers indicate.
Consider the fact QB Rodgers had 40 pass attempts, and that was in a game where Pittsburgh led most of the way and didn’t have to pass much (and the Steelers offense didn’t play well, meaning they got less offensive plays). Pittsburgh probably has to throw a similar number of passes this week, especially as the road underdog against an 0-1 team that will be focused on getting back to .500. We presume as the +5.5 dog, they’ll be behind and be forced into more passing.
Hence, I’m betting two Aaron Rodgers props — OVER on both attempts and completions. He was 24/40 last week, and comes into Week 2 with O/Us set at 21.5 and 34.5 respectively. I expect this game will require more passing. In postgame Week 1, Rodgers also got into some testy exchanges with reporters about receiver targets even though they won, so this should be a heavier concentration this week. Looking for lots of short, high-percentage passes from Rodgers against the Patriots. I don’t have an opinion on the yardage, though I lean OVER on that, as well. Best bets are attempts and completions.
Wagers:
Player Prop: PIT QB Rodgers OVER 21.5 pass completions (-115)
Player Prop: PIT QB Rodgers OVER 34.5 pass attempts (-110)
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ATLANTA at CAROLINA
Line: Panthers -2.5
Total: O/U 43.5
I’ve bounced back and forth on this stinky NFC South matchup (all teams are winless, so far), which means not betting either side. Instead, I see an opportunity on one of the more obscure player props.
ATL will start backup QB C. Rush again this week. He was ineffective against the Steelers last week, but also didn’t make many mistakes. That probably leads to a more rush-heavy game plan for the Falcons in this matchup, and they now face the perfect punching bag soft defense to churn out lots of yards on the ground.
Atlanta uses two RBs named Robinson, and to make things more confusing — both first names start with the letter B. So, be careful if you’re betting Falcon’s RB prop this season. Bijan Robinson is the workhorse. However, let’s not forget Brian Robinson {BRIAN R}, acquired in the offseason, who should get roughly half the number of carries–yet his O/U props are quite a bit lower.
BRIAN R. got 9 carries for 35 yards last week, nothing impressive, and still he went OVER on his props. BRIAN R. is listed at O/U 26 (-115) this week, despite this being a far more favorable situation for running backs. This is a great OVER opportunity. BIJAN R. is listed at O/U 85.5 yards, which is high. That’s where most of the attention goes in Fantasy discussion. It makes no sense that the secondary back is barely a third of that yardage total. Assuming 9 carries again this week (I predict more), even with a 3.0 YPC average (his average is actually 4.2 YPC the last three seasons) that should exceed OVER the number.
Falcons will probably feed main back BIJAN R. the ball 25+ times, but someone else has to take a few carries and that means BRIAN R. will get some game time. This is especially true for what’s expected to be a close game, so the Falcons should be able to run the ball late in the game.
The best reason to bet this player prop is saved for last: Carolina’s defense surrendered a mind-blowing 291 yards to Chicago last week, which is the most for the Bears in 42 years. With backup QB this week, why would the Falcons not go after the Panthers’ glaring weakness, which is a bad rushing defense? If BIJAN gets most of the focus, BRIAN should be able to get his yards. Also worth a look is his rushing attempts if you can find it (the number wasn’t up at the time of this posting).
Wager:
Player Prop: ATL RB Brian Robinson OVER 26.5 rushing yards (-115)
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JACKSONVILLE at DENVER
Line: Broncos -2.5
Total: O/U 45.5
I’d bet JAX at +3 (a few popped up offshore). But this rates as a pass at +2.5. Jags certainly appear to be the superior team at the moment. Question is, will the Broncos rally at home after coming out so flat in Week 1? Betting markets lean that way. I see better wagering opportunities elsewhere.
Since I’m with JAX if forced to bet the game, I’m making what for me is a very rare DOUBLE team total wager. I’m taking JAX OVER its team total of 22.5. I’m also taking DEN UNDER its team total of 24.5. You can immediately see the appeal of catching two key numbers in what should be a close game — 23 and 24. Indeed, a 24-23 would be a perfect outcome, either way. On a personal note, I recall doing this only one time previously, as rarely do both teams correspond so beautifully as this matchup.
Denver was the AFC’s top seed last season, but they’ve also gone UNDER O/U 24.5 in 8 of their last 10 games. The Broncos don’t roll up big scores, even when they win. QB Nix is returning from injury but even prior to last season’s playoff disappointment, he’d not been putting up big numbers. Nix had only 131 passing yards last week, and hasn’t broken the 200 mark in three straight starts. JAX was the 8th ranked defense in points allowed last season, and #1 against the run. That could be another problem for the Broncos offense and scoring. In short, this doesn’t look like the game Denver will explode on the scoreboard. Even if they win and cover, I’m not confident they will break the 24 mark.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville continues winning and remains the NFL’s least-respected good team. They’re 14-4 with Liam Coen as coach. As for scoring, try this stat: JAGS HAVE SCORED 23+ in 11 straight games (dating back to last season). Total is 22.5 here. Even if we acknowledge Denver’s good defense and points could be harder to come by, that streak is impossible to ignore.
Both totals have reduced vig! It’s like a gift.
Wagers:
Team Total: Jacksonville OVER 22.5 (-105)
Team Total: Denver UNDER 24.5 (-105)
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SEATTLE at ARIZONA
Line: Seahawks -4
Total: O/U 40.5
Could Arizona upset the Super Bowl champs? That would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago — but here we are now. Given Seattle remains shorthanded at QB (backup Lock will start in place of injured Darnold), that gives the confident Cardinals a shot. What they did to the Chargers was a bitch slap that no one expected.
I lean Arizona at home, but the better wager here might be the Cardinals kicker. For a few seasons (2021-2023), I was among the first public cappers to really investigate and pound the kicking props — the oddsmaker numbers were simply off and very beatable. Now, other cappers caught on, and the books tightened their numbers. It’s no longer free money. So, I don’t bet them nearly as often (I wagered on 35 kicker props in 2023 alone).
This matchup lends itself to a good day for the Cardinals kicker, Chad Ryland. Arizona has a balanced offense and QB Brissett has shown he can get yards and move the ball downfield. Scoring might be harder to come by against an outstanding Seattle defense, especially in the red zone. This spells more possible FG attempts, especially in a divisional game expected to be somewhat close. If Seattle was primed to blow out the Cardinals, we should pass on kicker props (unless betting them UNDER). In a close, tight game, with an offense that can move the ball, looks for some FG attempts, and makes.
Ryland’s O/U on total points is 6. So, two successful FGs nails it. Obviously, FGs are better than XPs. Last week, Ryland made FOUR FGs and two XPs, and was 4/5 with his only miss a very long 50+ yarder. I expect the Cardinals to play this one close and squeeze points whenever possible. Solid reasons here to bet the OVER (by contrast, the Seattle kicker’s point total is 8, probably too high). Note the elevated vig.
Update: At BETDESERTDIAMOND.COM in Arizona, this prop is at O/U 5.5 (-130), which gives us a win on 6 !
Wager:
Player Prop: ARZ PK Ryland OVER 6 points (-120)
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Note 1: You can real ALL WRITE-UPS for EVERY GAME this week and MORE PICKS at the following website link: CLICK HERE
https://www.betcoin.ag/page/nolan-2026-week2/
Note 2: I may post something for the SNF and MNF games. But I’ll wait to post those opinions until later. Follow on Facebook.
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FINAL LIST OF WEEK 2 WAGERS:
(For those who just want the picks)
DET-BUF Second-Half Total: OVER 27.5 points
Player Prop: DET TE Kincaid OVER 49.5 receiving yards
Player Prop: DET RB Gibbs UNDER 95.5 rushing yards
Player Prop: PIT QB Rodgers OVER 21.5 pass completions (-115)
Player Prop: PIT QB Rodgers OVER 34.5 pass attempts (-110)
Full-Game Side: HOUSTON -2.5 vs. Cincinnati (-105)
Full-Game Side: NY Jets +3.5 vs. Green Bay (-105)
Player Prop: TB QB Mayfield OVER 211.5 passing yards (-115)
Player Prop: CLE QB Watson throw interception–YES (-145)
First Quarter Line: Washington +.5 vs. Dallas (-135)
Full-Game Line: WASHINGTON +4.5 vs. Dallas (-115)
Player Prop: ATL RB Brian Robinson OVER 26.5 rushing yards (-115)
Player Prop: NOR QB Shough OVER 231 passing yards (-115)
Team Total: Jacksonville OVER 22.5 (-105)
Team Total: Denver UNDER 24.5 (-105)
Player Prop: ARZ PK Ryland OVER 6 points (-130)
Full-Game: MIA-SFO UNDER 44.5
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 18, 2026 in Blog |
This is staggering.
Nearly half of Americans would NOT vote for a non-believer.
Ponder what this actually means. Just imagine all the great thinkers and problem solvers –past and present– who would be instantly excluded from high office and public service. Scientists. Writers. Philosophers. Doctors. Diplomats. Entertainers. Do an online search on “famous atheists” and see the list of names. You might be surprised.
Conversely, look at the innumerable numbers of felons, perverts, pedophiles, grifters, and assorted scumbags who have been actually been elected to and are still in office — the overwhelming majority of them people who cling to religion, starting with the current occupier of the White House. I’m willing to bet a sizable percentage of those who answered they’d *never* vote for an atheist enthusiastically cast their ballots (in multiple elections) for Trump. If a presidential candidate isn’t singing Jesus’s Greatest Hits (even when it’s all an act), that’s an automatic NO vote for nearly half the nation.
As a non-believer let me just say this is, well, unbelievable.
To be clear, this poll was conducted in Michigan only, which is fairly representative of the rest of America. I suspect that if these poll questions were asked in many Southern states, the percentages of bigotry and stupidity would be even higher. They would certainly be above 50 percent when applied to the two biggest boogymen — atheists and Muslims.
Yes indeed, this is a nation of hateful bigots. There, I said it. Because it’s true. The data proves it. Many of our elected officials preach it.
The other categories listed in the poll also ring alarm bells. Muslims face nearly equal measures of intolerable rejection. Frankly, I don’t like *any* political candidate with strong religious allegiances. Anyone who truly believes in talking snakes and the “divine prophecy” of cataclysmic end times makes me shudder and shouldn’t be in any position of authority. But let’s also acknowledge that we non-believers have no other options than to support religious candidates who dodder to invisible imaginary sky wizards and adhere to ancient fairy tale superstitions. So long as a faithful Christian (or any religious official) keeps our government secular and is capable of solving our problems, their personal and private opinions on spiritual questions do not matter. Nor should they. The same standards apply both ways, including to atheists and Muslims. Of course, we don’t get that tolerance from the other side, as this poll proves.
I must also address two more groups identified in this poll. Look at the percentages of Michiganers (ne Americans) who refuse to vote for a Jewish person — a whopping 20 percent. Just wow. I’m no fan of Israel and its horrible policies, but that’s just blatant anti-semitism.
The strangest response of all is the 7 percent of respondents who said they would not vote for a Christian. Sure, it would be great if far more non-Christians would run for public office. But also let’s keep things real. If you don’t vote for any Christians, then you likely aren’t voting at all. It’s nearly impossible to NOT vote for a Christian candidate in America.
There are several takeaways from the religious and political views illustrated in this poll. Sadly, all of them are deeply troubling and quite discouraging.
Read More: “Why Won’t Religion Just Leave Us Alone?”
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 16, 2026 in Blog |
One of the quirks of living in Las Vegas this time of year is the blinding sun over the western horizon each day. This makes safe driving difficult, if not impossible. Around 5 pm daily above the mountains, once the sun begins to set, glare hits city haze and turns drivers into a giant pack of deer caught in the headlights.
Unfortunately, Las Vegas’ street grid system means driving due west for a large number of residents — so we get blasted by sun rays. Worse, it’s usually smack dab in the middle of rush hour when traffic leaves the Strip and heads west.
Forget about obeying traffic lights. Nobody can see a damned thing. As evidence, I took this photo today while waiting an in intersection. The photo is untouched. Yes, it really is THIS BAD. Can anyone even see the stoplight? It’s there. Somewhere. Someplace. Good luck figuring out red versus green. Flip a coin. This is real gambling. Can I get odds on my hard way?
That said, I’m here to help. I figured out the secret. The trick to driving “blind” is actually easier than you think. Who needs to see stop lights? You simply *GO* when the the other cars start driving. Kinda’ like a herd. Another indication the light has turned green is when the cars behind you start honking. That’s when it’s time to pound the gas pedal. Helpful Hint: Don’t bother shooting anyone the finger. They won’t be able to see it. Reserve your obscene gestures for other hours of the day when visibility is much better.
As for hitting the breaks and stopping at intersections for *RED* lights, well now, that’s the tricky part. Best advice is to watch for tail lights of the car in the lane in front of you. When tail lights come on, do not proceed. Come to a full stop. I cannot stress the important of this safety tip. Just because you can’t see the red light doesn’t mean it’s not RED. Then, as before, wait for until you hear honking again. Time to go. Smash the gas. The light is Green. Repeat this process until you reach your home destination, or the nearest Happy Hour special.
Note: During the clusterfuck known as the F1 race (every Sept.-Dec.) none of these guidelines apply since everyone around the Strip is trapped in what amounts to a giant parking lot. Add 45-55 minutes for any commute during F1 construction. Use obscene gestures liberally.
Welcome to driving in Las Vegas 2026.
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Read: 12 Tips for Driving in Las Vegas
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 14, 2026 in Blog |
One of the most difficult realisms about being an atheist is the kindred sadness of knowing all connections and joys in life are finite. We are not built to last forever.
Ann Druyan — who was astrophysicist Carl Sagan’s wife of 15 years and a documentary producer in her own right and co-author the landmark series Cosmos — addressed this emotional quagmire in an interview with Skeptical Inquirer on science, religion, and being analytical, but also being full human — susceptible to both sentimentality and vulnerability.
Indeed, we can all understand and empathize why people want to believe in eternal life and other religious fantasies, if for no other reason than most faiths promise reunification with the people we lost and infinity with those we love.
When Druyan was asked about her husband’s death and how that loss impacted her own perception of life and death. She replied as follows:
“When my husband died, because he was so famous and known for not being a believer, many people would come up to me— it still sometimes happens—and ask me if Carl changed at the end and converted to a belief in an afterlife. They also frequently ask me if I think I will see him again.
Carl faced his death with unflagging courage and never sought refuge in illusions. The tragedy was that we knew we would never see each other again. I don’t ever expect to be reunited with Carl. But, the great thing is that when we were together, for nearly twenty years, we lived with a vivid appreciation of how brief and precious life is. We never trivialized the meaning of death by pretending it was anything other than a final parting.
Every single moment that we were alive and we were together was miraculous— not miraculous in the sense of inexplicable or supernatural. We knew we were beneficiaries of chance. . . . That pure chance could be so generous and so kind. . . . That we could find each other, as Carl wrote so beautifully in “Cosmos,” you know, in the vastness of space and the immensity of time. . . . That we could be together for twenty years.
That is something which sustains me and it’s much more meaningful…The way he treated me and the way I treated him, the way we took care of each other and our family, while he lived. That is so much more important than the idea I will see him someday. I don’t think I’ll ever see Carl again. But I saw him. We saw each other. We found each other in the cosmos, and that was wonderful.”
— Ann Druyan (2003)
READ MORE: My essay from 2013, “Hell Bent on a Holy Mission.”
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 12, 2026 in Blog |
First of all, no — this is not me in the photo.
Read on (long report coming) — if you like these write-ups, please pay attention to and visit the links.
IMPORTANT: Signup at Betcoin.ag today using promo code NOLAN for free entry to our $10,000 NFL Confidence Pool – Scores reset after each week, so it’s never too late to join:
https://www.betcoin.ag/page/nfl-confidence-2026/
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 10, 2026 in Blog |
NFL FUTURES BET
Here’s Why I’m Betting on Something that Hasn’t Happened in 50 Years
by Nolan Dalla
I’m highly optimistic about the 2026 Minnesota Vikings and their chances of enjoying a successful regular season, and potentially a big postseason, as well.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 9, 2026 in Blog |
It’s important to have mentors. This is true in real life among those people we know personally — such as family and friends and associates. It’s also true with the most influential people we look up to in our society who make us all smarter, or at least provide fresh new perspectives.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 7, 2026 in Blog |
On this Labor Day 2026, we must remember that even the most elementary advances in the history of human progress have never been easy.
Liberals with progressive ideas and bold new policies have successfully driven every single significant major advance in American history. Without exception. This is especially true when it comes to rights and conditions for women, minorities, and the working class.
History does not lie. This is a fact.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 6, 2026 in Blog |
Smoooooch!
Time to pucker up, Witless. You favorite mass murderer Vlad is here (hey Vlad, drop your pants–Trump’s boys came all this way to Moscow to show their appreciation).
This is an absolutely sickening scene. A disgrace. An unfathomable embarrassment. Yet, it really happened.
No. Not “fake news.” Not remarks “taken out of context.”
It’s real. Watch the first minute of this nauseating spectacle:
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 4, 2026 in Blog |
WELL, AT LEAST ONE SECTOR IS DOING VERY WELL IN TRUMP’S ECONOMY — GUESS WHICH ONE?
Next time Trump and Republicans dangle that political canard about “American energy independence” keeping energy prices down and helping average consumers, throw these facts in their lying faces.
Note these despicable RECORD OIL COMPANY PROFITS (in just the last three months!!!) since the idiotic Iran War began. Aside from Israel collaring American foreign policy in the Middle East (another scandal), mega-corporatists recognized this was a golden goose of an excuse to rip-off consumers and pad shareholder profits and rake in those CEO bonuses.
$93 BILLION IN PROFITS FOR OIL COMPANIES IN JUST THAT LAST QUARTER.
Yet, news like this doesn’t even make a headline, nor prompt much of any social media discussion. I guess getting fucked has become normal.
These FACTS (no one can argue these numbers–as they are publicly reported) are deeply, deeply disturbing. Why more working Americans are not outraged at what Trump is doing and how giant oil companies and other mega-corporations are skull-fucking the public is beyond me.
Shaking my head. I can’t figure this misplaced anger out, at all.
But hey, at least the trans kid you don’t know 2,500 miles away got kicked off the junior high softball team. The bizarre misplaced obsessions and sick priorities of Trumper MAGA working-class Americans are something I will never be able to understand.
Enjoy the screw job, and thanks Republican voters.
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