No home underdogs this week

The smartest NFL bet this season has been to take the home underdog, regardless of the matchup. The home 'dogs are 22-14-1, a handsome 61.1 percent, according to covers.com, a website that tracks wagering statistics.

However, bettors don't have that option this week. There is not one home underdog on the board; every home team is a favorite (We're not counting the San Francisco-Denver game in London, which is a pick anyway.)

Washington at Detroit (minus-21/2). Finally, the Lions get some respect. This game started with Detroit as a 1-point favorite and the line moved up to 21/2. Imagine, money going toward the Lions. On the plus side for Detroit, the Lions are coming off a bye week and anticipate the return of quarterback Matthew Stafford. And let's not forget that Detroit is 5-1 against the spread, although just 1-5 in the real standings. However, the Redskins have proven they can play poorly and still win ugly. Donovan McNabb is having perhaps his worst season, but he does have Washington in the hunt in the NFC East at 4-3, and the Redskins are also 4-2-1 against the spread.

Pick: Redskins.

Jacksonville at Dallas (minus-61/2, over/under 421/2). The Jaguars were trounced by Kansas City last week, but that was without starting quarterback David Garrad, who is expected back for the Cowboys. Of course, now it's Dallas with the quarterback problem, with Tony Romo sidelined for the better part of two months with a broken collarbone; Jon Kitna will take the snaps. The conventional wisdom is that Dallas will revert to a run-first offense and pass only when necessary. And it wouldn't be a surprise if owner Jerry Jones takes a cattle prod to the whole team after watching his Cowboys go 0-3 at home so far in that fancy, expensive stadium. Here's a vote that the Cowboys play tough defense despite their injuries.

Pick: Under.

Carolina at St. Louis (minus-3). The Panthers picked up their first win of the season last week, but that was against San Francisco, which finds a way to lose to everybody. The Rams are back in their home dome, where they are, frankly, a different team. Different as in actually good. St. Louis is 3-1 against the spread at home, and their only loss in the Edward Jones Dome was by a single point early in the season. Plus, Rams backers have to like the matchup between St. Louis running back Steven Jackson and the Carolina rush defense.

Pick: Rams.

Houston at Indianapolis (minus-51/2). If this game were happening the week immediately following the season-ending wrist injury to Colts tight end Dallas Clark, Indianapolis would be in deeper trouble. But the Colts had their bye last week, and giving Peyton Manning - the best coach in the NFL who doesn't have the title - extra time to prepare for an opponent is a significant factor. He should get some help from a Texans pass defense that ranks last in the NFL. The Texans slew the dragon that the Colts had become with an early-season win, but this one is in Indy on the big stage of Monday Night Football. The point spread may prove to be a reach for Manning and the Colts, but they definitely take this game outright.

Pick: Colts.

Green Bay at N.Y. Jets (minus-6). This line moved from 41/2 to 6 with good reason. Jets coach Rex Ryan, coming off a bye, will have Packers QB Aaron Rodgers dodging blitzers all game.

Pick: Jets.

Buffalo at Kansas City (minus-71/2). Pick: Chiefs. Tennessee at San Diego (minus-31/2). Pick: Titans. Tampa Bay at Arizona (minus-3). Pick: Buccaneers.

Seattle at Oakland (minus-21/2). Pick: Raiders. Pittsburgh at New Orleans (minus-1). Pick: Steelers. Denver vs. San Francisco (minus-1) in London. Pick: 49ers.

Minnesota at New England (off the board because of the quarterback uncertainty for the Vikings).

Miami at Cincinnati (-2)

The Dolphins may appear to be treading water at 3-3 in the AFC East, but they're 4-2 against the spread this season and 3-0 when they've been underdogs. In fact, they're 9-1 against the spread in their last 10 as underdogs and are unfazed on the road, beating the line in their last five away games.

Meanwhile, the Bengals have been underachievers this season (as usual), with the exception of an early-season road upset over Baltimore. The Bengals are 2-4 in both the AFC North and against the spread.

Miami has proven it's capable of moving the ball, but the Dolphins simply don't get it across the goal line enough. This week, the Bengals' defense helps in that department. Plus, you get the sense that Miami has more grit in its makeup.

Pick: Dolphins. - Bill Ordine EndText