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

If you have a taste for NFL home underdogs, this week is a feast. Ten of the 14 host teams will be getting points from the Las Vegas wizards of odds. "Best Bets" can't remember the last time that happened but it must have been long ago.

The Chicago Bears are getting a 9-point spot from the visiting Philadelphia Eagles and that's probably not generous enough.

Philadelphia is 27-7 in its last 34 road games and Donovan McNabb is the NFL's hottest quarterback (.698 completion percentage, 8 TD passes and 0 interceptions). Bears QB Jonathan Quinn will make the fourth start of his seven-year pro career.

The Eagles are 3-0 and figure to post their fourth straight double-digit victory as Sunday's "Best Bet": Philadelphia 30, CHICAGO 10.

Sunday's other games

(home teams in CAPS)

New England 20, BUFFALO 10 - The 5.5-point underdog Bills have the defense to keep the game reasonably close for much of the way, but it is difficult to project more than a TD and a field goal from Buffalo's offense. The teams traded 31-0 home wins last year.

Washington 27, CLEVELAND 14 - The Redskins are 2-7 against the spread (ATS) coming off Monday Night Football games but they won't face many teams with as many key injuries at this early stage of a season than the 3-point underdog Browns have.

GREEN BAY 30, New York Giants 21 - The Packers are favored by 7 and due for a top effort coming off a loss to Chicago in their home opener and a 45-31 loss in Indianapolis. Green Bay coach Mike Sherman is talking about cutting back on blitzing but that's hard to believe with slow-footed target Kurt Warner at QB for the Giants.

Oakland 24, HOUSTON 13 - The 2-point underdog Texans again will be seeking the first two-game winning streak in their three-year history but the Raiders might be a better team with QB Kerry Collins starting instead of injured Rich Gannon.

Indianapolis 27, JACKSONVILLE 13 - Defense has carried the punchless 3.5-point underdog Jaguars to a 3-0 start but they haven't faced an offense nearly as potent as the Colts. Warning: Indianapolis is 1-7 ATS vs. AFC opponents in October.

Cincinnati 24, PITTSBURGH 20 - The Bengals are getting 4 points and Carson Palmer faces a QB with less pro experience than he has in Ben Roethlisberger.

New Orleans 28, ARIZONA 14 - The 3-point favored Saints have more talent and are 7-2 ATS in the last nine games against the Cardinals.

Atlanta 23, CAROLINA 20 - When in doubt, take Michael Vick getting 3.5 points. The Falcons are 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings and 15-6-1 ATS vs. division opponents in October.

New York Jets 24, MIAMI 10 - The 6-point favored Jets are 9-2-1 ATS in the last 12 games in the series and figure to continue that trend against the offensively challenged Dolphins.

Tennessee 20, SAN DIEGO 13 - The 1-2 Titans need a victory, are favored by 3 points and should win by more with Steve McNair or Billy Volek at quarterback.

TAMPA BAY 24, Denver 20 - The host Buccaneers are getting 3 points, 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games as a home underdog and due for their first win of the season.

St. Louis 27, SAN FRANCISCO 17 - The 3.5-point favored Rams no longer are a powerhouse but they should have enough left to beat the winless 49ers.

Monday night

BALTIMORE 23, Kansas City 14 - The winless Chiefs are getting 5 points but could be in for another long night trying to stop Ravens RB Jamal Lewis and scoring enough points to win against one of the NFL's best defensive units.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 10-4 picking winning teams straight up (27-19 this season); 7-6-1 against the point spread (20-25-1 this season); the "Best Bet" is 2-1 straight up and 0-3 ATS after 6-point favored Tennessee lost 15-12 to Jacksonville.

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