So far, predictability is in short supply

The great god Parity rules in the NFL this season. After just three weeks, there are only three undefeated teams in the standings, and that may make for entertaining watching, but those results are a headache for bettors who are looking for some predictability.

Only two teams are 3-0 against the spread, and both are surprises. Pittsburgh, without suspended starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and Kansas City, with a largely anonymous roster, are perfect on the betting boards.

If you're looking for trends, it is that the underdogs have been carrying the day with an overall record of 28-20. And at home, the dogs are 13-8 (nearly 62 percent).

Baltimore at Pittsburgh (minus-1). Now that the Steelers have proved that they can win with just about anyone playing quarterback, the notion of trying to handle Baltimore with Roethlisberger still on suspension seems a lot less daunting. In this bitter rivalry, the record against the spread could not be closer. In the last nine games through 2006, these two are 4-4-1. If I had to give any more than one point, I would not pick this game. Pick: Steelers, giving 1.

New England at Miami (plus-1). It's hard to believe that this Patriots defense is a Bill Belichick production. New England is No. 28 in the NFL in points allowed and No. 27 in yards allowed. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have matured as an offense behind quarterback Chad Henne, and the Miami defense can be stout, although it faltered last week against the Jets. For the second week in a row, Miami is a home underdog against a division rival, and it's hard seeing a Bill Parcells-assembled team being embarrassed two straight times in its own house. Pick: Dolphins, getting 1.

Houston at Oakland (plus-3). Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has an ankle injury and has been listed as questionable, but Houston should be in bounce-back mode after a disappointing loss to Dallas. I have to admit that head coach Tom Cable has kept the Raiders competitive the last couple of weeks, especially against the spread, but being at home has been of no advantage to Oakland over the last several years. In their last 57 at home, the Raiders are a wretched 17-39-1 against the spread. Pick: Texans, giving 3.

Seattle at St. Louis (plus-1). Yes, the Seahawks are coming off a monster win over San Francisco, but that was at home where Seattle is 2-0 both straight up and against the spread. The Rams, despite being 1-2 straight up, have been competitive in every game and have been quietly playing excellent defense, giving up less than 17 points a game. And they're a home dog. Pick: Rams, getting 1.

Carolina at New Orleans (minus-131/2). The Panthers are going with a rookie quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, and the 'Dome is going to be a tough place for a guy who's just getting his bearings - and already has his star wide receiver screaming in his ear. Pick: New Orleans, giving 131/2.

I like but don't love . . . Indianapolis at Jacksonville (plus-71/2). I'm probably being influenced by last week's Eagles' rout in Jacksonville. Pick: Colts, giving 71/2.

If you held a gun to my head . . . Washington at Philadelphia (minus-6). Pick: Redskins; Denver at Tennessee (minus-61/2). Pick: Titans; Cincinnati at Cleveland (plus-3). Pick: Bengals; San Francisco at Atlanta (minus-7). Pick: 49ers; Arizona at San Diego (minus-8). Pick: Cardinals; Detroit at Green Bay (minus 141/2). Pick: Lions; Chicago at New York Giants (minus-4). Pick: Bears.

New York Jets at Buffalo (Plus-5).

If the Jets continue to play offense they way they have the last two weeks, they'll turn Rex Ryan from blowhard into prophet. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has six touchdown passes and zero interceptions so far this season, and running back LaDainian Tomlinson had a productive if less than Canton-like day in a win over Miami in which the Jets covered as road favorites. The Bills rolled up 30 points against New England last week in a losing effort, but that says more about the Patriots' defense than Buffalo's offense. The switch to Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB may help a bit, but the Bills are still a fairly dysfunctional outfit, and the Jets are perfectly capable of creating at least three turnovers and holding the Bills to 10 points. Pick: Jets, giving 5.

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