By BOB MATTHEWS
Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle

The New Orleans Saints have been one of the NFL's best offensive teams all season but the defensive unit finally showed some muscle in last week's 23-20 home win over Tampa Bay.

The Baltimore Ravens deserve credit for a 6-6 record despite injuries to several of their best players but they figure to come up short Sunday at home against a relatively healthy playoff contender.

The Saints worked too hard against Tampa Bay to let down against the Ravens. They're favored by only 2.5 points and this week's "Best Bet": New Orleans 27, BALTIMORE 13.

Sunday's other games (home team in CAPS)

PITTSBURGH 30, Houston 7 - Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox might be rusty in the early stages of his return but it shouldn't matter against the punchless 13.5-point underdog expansion Texans.

NEW ENGLAND 27, Buffalo 17 - The 4.5-point underdog Bills aren't as bad as they looked in a 38-7 home loss to the Patriots on Nov. 3 but they're not as good as they looked in a 38-21 home win over Miami last week. New England is 13-3-1 against the point spread (ATS) vs. AFC East opponents in December.

TAMPA BAY 23, Atlanta 13 - The 3.5-point favored Buccaneers probably are too good to lose two games in a row and 6-2 ATS in the last eight home games against the Falcons. They knocked Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick out of action in a 20-6 road win Oct. 6, so they know they can catch him.

Cleveland 20, JACKSONVILLE 17 - The 1.5-point underdog Browns should be eager to make up for a disappointing home loss to Carolina last week. The Jaguars lead the series 7-1 but Cleveland's only win was 23-14 in Jacksonville last year.

Cincinnati 24, CAROLINA 13 - The Panthers are favored by 3 points and 13-4 ATS as underdogs in December but they figure to miss suspended pass-rushing star Julius Peppers and the Bengals are due for a victory.

San Francisco 27, DALLAS 14 - The 5-point favored 49ers are due for a top offensive effort and the Cowboys don't have the offensive talent to keep up. San Francisco is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings but Dallas won 27-21 at home last year.

KANSAS CITY 28, St. Louis 20 - The 4.5-point underdog Rams probably will miss injured quarterback Kurt Warner in what figures to be a high-scoring shootout against the Chiefs.

Indianapolis 24, TENNESSEE 17 - The Titans won 23-15 in Indianapolis on Nov. 3 but the 2-point underdog Colts haven't lost since. The offensive big three of Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James gets most of the attention but the key to the Colts turnaround has been the much-improved play of the second-ranked defensive unit.

WASHINGTON 22, New York Giants 13 - The Giants won 19-17 at home Nov. 17 but the Redskins are 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings and favored by only 2.5 points in the rematch.

Denver 27, NEW YORK JETS 20 - The 1-point favored Broncos are 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings (including 3-0 ATS on the road). Warning: The Jets are 11-3 ATS as underdogs in December.

Detroit 2, ARIZONA 0 - Does anyone really care? The Lions are 6-14-2 ATS in their last 22 games in December and the Cardinals are 1-7-1 ATS as favorites in December. When in doubt, take the spot, and Detroit is getting 1.5 points.

SEATTLE 24, Philadelphia 15 - Upset special. The 3-point underdog Seahawks play much better at home than on the road and using a third-string quarterback is due to catch up with the Eagles.

Oakland 33, SAN DIEGO 27 - The 3.5-point favored Raiders will be out to avenge a 27-21 home loss Oct. 20 and pad their 53-31-2 lead in the series.

GREEN BAY 24, Minnesota 20 - The Vikings won 31-21 at home Nov. 17 and should hang tough as 9.5-point underdogs in the rematch if they do a decent job protecting the football.

Monday night's game

MIAMI 30, Chicago 10 - The 9.5-point favored Dolphins should be in an ornery mood after last week's 38-21 loss in Buffalo. The Bears are 0-2 on "Monday Night Football" this season and 4-11 since 1992.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

8-8 picking winning teams straight up (117-74-1 this season); 8-7-1 picking winners against the point spread (91-96-5 this season); the "Best Bet" is 6-5 after 9.5-point favored Kansas City beat Arizona 49-0.

Return to Bengals front page...