Eagles (+1) over CHARGERS

 

Just missed the NFC East hat trick last week, losing to Dallas, 20-16. But there are a number of positives to take away. Like the defense that looks even tighter than last season's edition. Throw out the game against New Orleans, a 48-point brain freeze, and the Birds have allowed an average of 15 points per game. No one, except the Cowboys, are doing it better in the NFC. Let's turn to the road statistics, and they are very sweet. With the exception of that ugly 2005 season (6-10), the Eagles have shown a profit on the road every year, even in Andy's first season, 1999, when the Birds posted a 5-11 straight-up record, but covered five of eight road games. They have covered two of three away from home so far this season, and have won five of the last six (83 percent) coming off a home loss. Not a best bet, but we like the Birds to fly back home with a victory.

Cowboys (-3) over PACKERS

 

Love the work Dallas has done after the bye week. The Cowboys beat Atlanta (37-21) and Seattle (38-17), both at home, and then, of course, squeezed past the Birds Sunday. They have won three of four on the road, and appear to be on track for a playoff slot after missing out last season. Green Bay doesn't appear to be on track for anything other than some golf in the Bahamas. The Packers have given up 76 points combined the last two times out, and do not have a victory against a team with a winning record. Now they have to deal with a Dallas team that holds a humongous 11-2 edge the last 13 times out in this matchup. The Boys have covered eight of the last 10 against the Pack, and since Green Bay is Swiss cheese up front (six sacks allowed against Tampa Bay and six sacks against Minnesota), we're gonna drop the best-bet hammer on Dallas.

TITANS (-6) over Bills

 

Last week, we picked Tennessee and talked about the energy that Vince Young has injected into the team. Two starts, two wins. A 30-13 victory over the Jaguars, and a nice 34-27 road win at San Francisco. With a chance for three in a row, the Titans will keep their foot on the pedal. And since Buffalo has won only five of its last 18 games and covered just two of the last six, we'll rock the blue unis from Nashville.

Patriots (+3) over COLTS

 

Since the Peyton Manning/Tom Brady matchup is virtually a wash, we'll have to go the numbers. And, boy, do they favor New England. Looking back over the history in this matchup, the Pats have covered an incredible 15 of the last 17 on the road against Indy. Kind of impossible to buck that stat, or, the one that says the Horseshoes have covered only five of the last 17 games at home.

Bengals (+7) over STEELERS

 

Cincinnati is on a rocking 8-3 spread run, has already taken Pittsburgh down once this season (23-20 at home), and should have no trouble covering this very generous seven-point spread.

Ravens (-10) over BROWNS

 

We know that Baltimore is gonna win because Cleveland has only two wins in its last 15 games. And guess what? Yup, both were on the road. That makes the Brownies 0 for the last 8 in Cleveland. Even with the loss to the Bengals Sunday, the Ravens have covered a very healthy 16 of the last 22. And the last three times out against the Browns, the average winning margin was 19 points per game, certainly more than enough to cover this spread.

Chiefs (+2) over RAIDERS