Underdogs are kings of the NFL this season

I am finally on board. Rampaging underdogs are not merely an early-season aberration this year; they represent the new world order in an NFL devoid of dominant teams - and even lacking in absolutely horrible teams.

Here's evidence of how completely parity has taken root in the NFL: Road favorites - straight up, no point spread involved - are 17-18.

Overall, the 'dogs are 53-35-2 against the spread, according to covers.com, a website that provides wagering news and statistics.

New England at San Diego (minus-3). Let's see, here. The Patriots just outdueled a reasonably good team in the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, the San Diego Chargers have lost consecutive games to Oakland and St. Louis, who have quarterbacks that are shunned by most fantasy-football owners. The Patriots almost always perform up to the expectations of their demanding head coach, Bill Belichick. The Chargers are notorious for performing below almost everyone's expectations. And the Patriots are getting the points - hmm.

Pick: Patriots.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas (minus-3). The Cowboys just do not play well at home and after last week's loss to Minnesota, that palace Jerry Jones built for his 'Boys just won't feel so hospitable, what with all those irritated Dallas fans. Meanwhile, the Giants are on a mini-roll with three consecutive wins straight up, and it would have been three straight against the spread had the Lions not kicked a 50-yard field goal last week to get inside a 10-point line. Again, the team that should win straight up is getting points, so . . .

Pick: Giants.

Pittsburgh at Miami (plus-3). One of the few so-called good teams that has preformed well is Pittsburgh. It's a testament to head coach Mike Tomlin that he has the Steelers at 4-1 while having had to play three starting quarterbacks. They also happen to be 4-1 against the spread. Last week against Cleveland, Ben Roethlisberger showed there's no rust after his four-game suspension.

Pick: Steelers.

San Francisco at Carolina (plus-3, over/under 341/2). Despite their 1-5 record, the 49ers have been the favorites in three of their last four games - and, of course, failed to cover each time. There is a belief out there that San Francisco is really a good team that just needs to find itself. Meanwhile, Carolina is genuinely bad at 0-5 and 1-4 against the spread. The outlook here is that both teams are so desperate, they will at least find some offense.

Pick: Over.

St. Louis at Tampa Bay (minus-21/2).

The Rams are an improved team but not on the road.

Pick: Buccaneers.

Buffalo at Baltimore (minus-131/2).

Pick:

Ravens; Cleveland at New Orleans (minus-14).

Pick:

Browns; Philadelphia at Tennessee (minus-3).

Pick:

Eagles; Cincinnati at Atlanta (minus-31/2).

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Falcons; Arizona at Seattle (minus-51/2).

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Seahawks; Oakland at Denver (minus-8).

Pick:

Raiders; Minnesota at Green Bay (minus-3).

Pick:

Packers; Jacksonville at Kansas City (off the board, QB uncertainty for Jaguars).

Washington at Chicago (minus-21/2)

The Redskins personify mediocrity in a season that has been defined by its unevenness. That extends to quarterback Donovan McNabb, who has uncharacteristically thrown for five TDs and five interceptions while his passer rating has wallowed in the sub-80 territory for the last month. Having said that, the Chicago Bears should be charged with quarterback abuse - meaning their own quarterbacks, who have been sacked 27 times already. Jay Cutler has taken the brunt with 23 sacks, including 15 in his last two games.

All this means that the opposition will focus on Bears running back Matt Forte and pummel Cutler when he drops back. Even though opposing offenses measure their yardage against Washington with an odometer, this is a vote of no-confidence in the Bears' offensive line. As long as McNabb protects the ball, the Redskins should add to Chicago's woes.

Pick: Redskins.

- Bill OrdineEndText