--Most spots are listing Pittsburgh (8-5 straight up, 7-6 against the spread) as a three-point favorite with a total of 41 1/2. The Vikings are plus 140 on the money line.
--Minnesota (8-5 SU, 8-5 ATS) has won six consecutive games following last week's 27-13 win against St. Louis as a seven-point 'chalk.' The Vikings forced six turnovers, while quarterback Brad Johnson didn't commit any, and that has been the simple formula for success as this team has climbed back into contention in the NFC playoff mix.
--Pittsburgh snapped a three-game losing streak with a 21-9 home win against Chicago last week at Heinz Field. Jerome Bettis rushed 17 times for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns, carrying his team to victory on a snowy day. During a five-yard TD run in the third quarter, Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher met Bettis at the three yard-line, but the elder of the perennial Pro-Bowlers won this battle, driving to paydirt with Urlacher on his back.
--The Vikings have won in all six of Johnson's starts with the veteran signal caller throwing for eight touchdowns and just two interceptions.
--The Steelers are two games back of Cincinnati for the lead in the AFC North. They are in a three-way tie for the final AFC wild-card spot with Kansas City and San Diego, but own a tiebreaker edge against the Chargers dating back to a head-to-head win in September.
--Minnesota is only one game behind Chicago for the lead in the NFC North.
--Mike Tice's squad has won five of its six home games both SU and ATS. Meanwhile, Bill Cowher's team is 3-4 both SU and ATS on the road.
--The Vikings haven't been home underdogs since 2003. Dating back to 2001, they are 6-2 ATS as home 'dogs, 11-4 since 1995.
--The 'under' is 10-3 overall for the Vikings, 4-2 in their road games. The 'under' has cashed in five straight Minnesota games.
--The 'under' is 6-0 for the Steelers on the road.
**Redskins at Cowboys**
--Most spots have installed Washington (7-6 SU, 6-6 ATS) as a three-point favorite, but bettors can collect a plus-110 return by backing the Redskins. Gamblers must pay a minus-130 price to take the Cowboys catching the points. They are plus 120 on the money line.
--After losing three straight games, including a pair of heartbreakers at home, Washington went on the road and won back-to-back games to stay alive for post-season contention. Now with a win over the 'Boys in this spot, Joe Gibbs' team will be in prime position to garner the franchise's first trip to the playoffs since 1999.
--Dallas (8-5 SU, 6-5-2 ATS) kepts its playoff hopes alive last week thanks to a thrilling 31-28 home win over Kansas City. I cashed my guaranteed play by "buying the hook" to make the Cowboys 2 1/2-point favorites. However, many gamblers most likely settled for a push.
--With the Chiefs clinging to a four-point lead, Drew Bledsoe executed a perfect play-action fake on first and goal from the one, finding reserved tight end Dan Campbell in the back of the end zone for the winning score with 22 seconds left. It wasn't over yet, though, because KC hit a big play on first down to set up a field goal try from 41 yards out, but Lawrence Tynes couldn't overcome a bad snap and badly sliced his kick wide right.
--Bledsoe was brilliant against the Chiefs, completing 22-of-34 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Terry Glenn ran for a score and caught another one en route to a six-catch, 138-yard day. TE Jason Whitten made seven receptions for 93 yards.
--Washington returns home after capturing a 17-13 win at Arizona as a four-point 'chalk.' Antonio Brown found paydirt on a 91-yard kick return to give the Redskins a 17-13 advantage late in the third quarter. From there, the defense did the heavy lifting to preserve the victory. The 30 combined points allowed for the 'under' to cash in the fourth straight Redskins' game and the sixth time in their last seven.
--Washington RB Clinton Portis ran 26 times for 105 yards and one touchdowns against the Cardinals. The University of Miami product has to be licking his chops after watching KC's Larry Johnson run for 143 yards and three TDs against Dallas. For the year, Portis has 1,184 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
--When these teams met for Monday Night Football in Week 2, Dallas dominated the first 56 minutes of the game, holding a 13-0 lead with 3:45 left. But that's when the Mark Brunell-Santana Moss Show started at Texas Stadium. That tandem hooked up for touchdown passes of 70 and 39 yards to lift the Redskins to an improbable 14-13 win as 5 1/2-point underdogs. Dallas CB Aaron Glenn and safety Roy Williams inexplicably allowed Moss to get behind the defense for both deep balls that were thrown perfectly by Brunell.
--Bledsoe has a touchdown-interception ratio of 20/11, while Brunell has 16 scoring strikes to go with eight picks.
--Three of Washington's cornerbacks (Shawn Springs, Walt Harris and Carlos Rogers), including both starters, missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday. However, all three maintain that they'll play this week. LB LaVar Arrington missed the Arizona game with a bruised thigh, but he will start vs. Dallas.
--In the months of December and January, Gibbs has led his teams to a 54-18 record (75%).
--Dallas has won 14 of the last 16 head-to-head meetings between these teams. The Cowboys are 7-0 ATS in their last seven trips to the nation's capital.
--Dallas has a 3-2 spread record as a road underdog this season. Likewise, Washington is 3-2 ATS as a home 'chalk.'
--The 'under' is 7-5-1 overall for the Cowboys, 3-2-1 in their road games.
--The 'under' is 8-5 overall for the Redskins, 4-2 in their home outings.
--The 'under' is 7-2 in the last nine head-to-head meetings between these traditional NFC East rivals.
**Panthers at Saints**
--Most spots have marked Carolina (9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS) as a nine-point favorite with a total of 40. Bettors can back New Orleans to win outright for a plus-330 return.
--John Fox's team remains tied for first place in the NFC South, but it is in bounce-back mode following last week's 20-10 home loss to Tampa Bay as a six-point 'chalk.'
--New Orleans (3-10 SU, 5-7 ATS) has lost back-to-back games, including a 33-17 setback at Atlanta on Monday. The Saints failed to cover the number as 10-point underdogs.
--New Orleans head coach Jim Haslett has benched QB Aaron Brooks for the rest of the season. Todd Bouman will get the starting nod this week, ending a string of 82 consecutive games started by Brooks.
--The Saints are winless in their three previous games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, losing to Miami, Chicago and Tampa Bay.
--New Orleans has beaten Carolina in each of the last two meetings, including a 23-20 win in Charlotte back in Week 1.
--Carolina is 4-2 SU on the road, 3-3 versus the number.
--The 'under' has prevailed in five consecutive games for the Panthers. However, the 'over' is 3-2-1 in their road games.
--The 'under' is 7-6 overall for the Saints.
**B.E.'s Bonus Nuggets**
--As I've said dozens of times through the years, Charles Barkley has the most accurate and realistic views on racism of anyone I've ever heard speak publicly. His take on the Donovan McNabb situation was right on the money on Thursday's edition of "The Dan Patrick Show" on ESPN.
--The underdogs finally produced profits in Week 14, posting a 9-4-2 spread record. Nevertheless, favorites still own a 112-91-4 season record, as you can see in our pointspread analysis.
--Before Washington rallied to beat Dallas back in Week 2, Bill Parcells' teams had previously posted a 77-0 record when leading by at least 13 points in the fourth quarter. The 'Skins' rally also ended another streak, albeit one of futility, snapping a 25-game losing streak for Washington when it trailed after three quarters.
--The guess here is that Aaron Brooks has played his last game for the Saints.
--The 'under' is 6-1 for the Bucs on the road.
--The Eagles have lost four in a row on the road by an average of 17 points per game. They play at St. Louis this week as three-point underdogs.
--Philadelphia was dynamite as a home underdog during the first six seasons of Andy Reid's tenure, posting a 21-9 spread record. However, the Eagles are 1-3 ATS as road 'dogs this season.
--How far have the Eagles and Rams fallen since they met in the 2001 NFC title game? The starters at QB for both teams, respectively, hail from Rutgers and Harvard. Need I say more?
--Seattle will take its nine-game winning streak (6-3 ATS) to Nashville in Week 15 to face the Titans. The Seahawks have seen the 'over' go 6-0 in their road games.
--Arizona has seen the 'over' cash at a 5-1 clip in its road games. The 'over' is 4-2 at home for the Texans, who play host to the Cardinals on Sunday with a 42 1/2-point tally
–Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Indianapolis as a 7 1/2-point home ‘chalk’ over San Diego, with the total set at 51. Sunday’s contest is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. ET., with CBS Sports providing coverage.
–San Diego (8-5 straight up, 8-4 against the spread) was riding a five-game SU winning streak (4-1 ATS) before being upset by Miami last weekend as a 12 1/2-point home favorite, 23-21. The combined 44 points slithered below the 45-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the third game in a row. In fact, the ‘under’ is 7-2 the previous nine contests.
–The Chargers almost recorded the comeback victory with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the team was unable to overcome Miami’s 17 points in the third quarter. San Diego finished the contest with advantages in first downs (27-14), rushing yards (96-71), passing yards (245-229) and time of possession (40:17-19:43), while trailing in turnovers forced (3-2).
–Quarterback Drew Brees was 35-of-52 passing with 279 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson had 21 carries for 75 yards, and tight end Antonio Gates contributed with 13 receptions for 123 yards and a score.
–Indianapolis (13-0 SU, 9-3 ATS) continued its date with destiny after holding off Jacksonville Sunday as an eight-point road ‘chalk,’ 26-18. The combined 44 points slithered ‘over’ the 42 1/2-point closing total, snapping a streak of back-to-back ‘under’ outings.
–The Colts jumped out to a 17-3 halftime advantage, but things got tighter when the Jaguars posted 15 points in the third quarter. The fourth quarter was scoreless on both sides. Indianapolis finished the game with advantages in first downs (25-18), rushing yards (99-74), passing yards (300-250) and time of possession (33:58-26:02).
–Signal caller Peyton Manning completed 24-of-36 passes for 324 yards with two touchdowns, and Edgerrin James ran 30 times for 93 yards while catching nine passes for 61 yards. Wideout Marvin Harrison stepped up with six receptions for 137 yards and two scores.
–Indianapolis beat San Diego last year in overtime as a seven-point home favorite, 34-31, while the combined 65 points went ‘over’ the 56 1/2-point closing total.
–San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson (chest) is ‘probable’ against the Colts, while punter Nate Kaeding (shoulder), wide receiver Reche Caldwell (leg), defensive end Luis Castillo (hip), cornerback Quentin Jammer (shoulder), safety Bhawoh Jue (knee) and offensive tackle Roman Oben (foot) are ‘questionable.’
–Indianapolis defensive tackle Corey Simon (foot) and linebacker Cato June (hernia) are ‘questionable’ versus the Chargers.
–San Diego travels to Kansas City following this contest before ending the regular season with a home game against Denver. Indianapolis travels to Seattle next weekend before wrapping up at home versus Arizona.
**49ers at Jaguars**
–LVSC has Jacksonville as a 15 1/2-point home favorite over San Francisco, with the total listed at 37 ½. FOX Sports will begin coverage of this contest Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
–San Francisco (2-11 SU, 5-8 ATS) is currently mired in a six-game SU losing skid (2-4 ATS) after being routed by Seattle last weekend as a 16-point road underdog, 41-3. The combined 44 points slithered ‘over’ the 43-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 3-1 the past four performances.
–The 49ers were dominated throughout the contest, trailing the Seahawks in first downs (31-8), rushing yards (185-62), passing yards (253-77), turnovers forced (2-1) and time of possession (36:13-23:47).
–Rookie quarterback Alex Smith struggled by completing 9-of-22 passes for 77 yards and an interception. Running back Kevin Barlow had 11 carries for 33 yards, while grabbing two passes for 30 yards.
–Jacksonville (9-4 SU, 7-4 ATS) saw its playoff hopes take a bit of a hit after falling to Indianapolis last weekend as an eight-point home underdog, 26-18. The combined 44 points eclipsed the 42 1/2-point closing total, enabling the ‘over’ to improve to 3-1 the last four games. The Jaguars had won five games in a row SU before falling to the Colts.
–Quarterback David Garrard was 26-of-35 passing for 250 yards with a touchdown, and ran five times for an additional 19 yards with a score. Veteran receiver Jimmy Smith stepped up with eight catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.
–The 49ers and Jaguars have not played each other the previous five years.
–San Francisco running back Kevan Barlow (knee), defensive end Bryant Young (knee), cornerback Ahmed Plummer (ankle), free safety Mike Adams (knee), fullback Fred Beasley (neck), wide receiver Arnaz Battle (knee) and wide receiver Johnnie Morton (Achilles) are ‘questionable’ versus the Jaguars.
–Jacksonville signal caller Byron Leftwich (ankle) is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, while center Brad Meester (bicep) is expected to miss the rest of the year.
–San Francisco travels to St. Louis next weekend before wrapping up its season at home against Houston. Jacksonville goes to Houston following this contest before returning home to tackle Tennessee.
–Sunday’s forecast calls for rain and thunder showers, with a high of 60 degrees and a low of 41.
**Browns at Raiders**
–LVSC installed Oakland as a three-point home ‘chalk’ over Cleveland, with the total set at 40. CBS Sports will begin its coverage of this contest Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
–Cleveland (4-9 SU, 6-7 ATS) suffered its third consecutive setback after Sunday’s loss to rival Cincinnati as an 11 1/2-point road underdog, 23-20. The combined 43 points slithered ‘under’ the 43 1/2-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 10-3.
–The Browns finished the game leading the Bengals in passing yards (138-93), while trailing in first downs (18-15) and rushing yards (185-84).
–Quarterback Charlie Frye completed 16-of-24 passes for 138 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while running back Reuben Droughns had 21 carries for 74 yards. Wideout Steve Heiden accounted for three receptions for 27 yards and a score in the setback.
–Oakland (4-9 SU, 5-8 ATS) is mired in a three-game SU and ATS losing funk after Sunday’s setback to the New York Jets as a three-point road underdog, 26-10. The combined 36 points landed directly on the closing total.
–The Raiders trailed just 6-3 at halftime before the Jets ran away with the contest. Oakland finished the game trailing in first downs (23-14), rushing yards (184-95), passing yards (110-84), turnovers forced (4-0) and time of possession (35:38-24:22).
–Quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo completed 14-of-26 passes for 124 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, and two rushes for 19 yards. Wide receiver Jerry Porter had four catches for 36 yards and a score, and Randy Moss added two receptions for 18 yards.
–The Browns defeated the Raiders in the last meeting during the 2003 campaign as a 3 1/2-point home ‘chalk,’ 13-7. The combined 20 points never seriously threatened the 43-point closing total.
–Cleveland quarterback Trent Dilfer (knee) is expected to be available against the Raiders, while tight end Aaron Shea (calf), cornerback Leigh Bodden (concussion) and cornerback Michael Lehan (hamstring) are ‘questionable.’
–Oakland quarterback Kerry Collins is expected to start Sunday versus the Browns, while offensive guard Brad Badger (knee) and fullback John Paul Foschi (foot) are ‘questionable.’
–Cleveland finishes the regular season with home games against Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Oakland travels to Denver next weekend before wrapping up the regular season with a home game against the New York Giants.
–Sunday’s forecast for Oakland calls for partly cloudy skies, with a high of 57 degrees and a low of 42.
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