Trends & Things 2007-2008 NFL Week 4

The Vikings are underdogs at home against Green Bay for the first time since the 2002 season and they are desperate for a win to avoid failing three games off the pace in the division chase. Green Bay will likely be the people's choice, but Minnesota has several factors in its favor. The Vikings have cashed nine of their last dozen against the Packers and the underdog in this storied rivalry is 16-1 in the last 17 encounters.Minnesota has 'covered' 20 of 28 as home pups and 14 of 17 as short-enders at the Metrodome with revenge. Green Bay took both games versus the Vikings last season, prevailing as 5 1/2-point road dogs, 23-17, and as 3 1/2-point home favorites, 9-7. Minnesota has also cashed nine off 11 when playing its second game at home, including its last four as underdogs. In addition, the Vikings are 6-0 against the spread coming off back-to-back straight-up losses versus an opponent that's over .500.

Oakland Raiders (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) at Miani Dolphons (0-3 SU, 0-1-2 ATS)

Oakland snapped an 11-game losing skid by nipping Cleveland at home, 26-24. The Raiders now take aim at ending a 12-game road futility streak. Miami has faltered in eight of its last nine, both straight up and against the spread, as home favorites of 3 1/2 points or more. The Dolphins have also failed to cash 16 of 22 at home versus non-division foes. Oakland is 12-22 ATS on the road and 14-20 as short-enders on the highway. However, the Raiders have 'covered' 10 of 12 on the road before a bye and nine in a row off a SU win. Miami has won and 'covered' six straight against Oakland dating back to 1997.

Houston Texans (2-1, 2-0-1) at Atlanta Falcons (0-3, 1-2)

Houston finds itself in the rare role of favorites. The Texans have come up short as the chalk in seven of 11 chances since the inception of the franchise in 2002. Houston is 3-7 ATS on the road against NFC foes. Atlanta has cashed eight off 11 as dogs coming off a SU loss. However, the Falcons are 3-15 ATS at home when facing teams with a winning record and they are 7-11-1 as dogs versus AFC competition. The Texans have tipped 'under' in 18 of 28 on the road. Atlanta has zipped 'over' in 13 of 18 as non-conference dogs.

Baltimore Ravens (2-1, 0-3) at Cleveland Browns (1-2, 2-1)

Baltimore hasn't dropped four in a row ATS since Brian Billick took over in 1999. However, the dog in this AFC North rivalry has come away with the cash in eight of the last 11 encounters and the home team is 6-2 ATS in the last eight clashes. Cleveland has 'covered' three straight overall against the Ravens and three straight at home. The Browns are 3-10 as division dogs of less than seven points. They have cashed at a 16-6-1 clip after scoring 23 points or more. Baltimore has lost and failed in 14 of its last 20 road outings. Six of the past nine series scuffles have been on the low side. The Ravens have knuckled 'under' at a 19-7-1 rate in September. Cleveland has dipped 'under' at a 19-10-1 pace as home dogs of three points or more.

Chicago Bears (1-2, 0-3) at Detroit Lions (2-1, 1-1-1)

Chicago has now dropped six straight spread decisions dating back to 2006. The last time the defending NFC champs failed to get the green in four straight games in the same season was in 2002. Detroit will be looking to extend a streak that has seen the dog cash at a 10-4-1 pace in this series. The SU winner is also 27-5-2 ATS. The Bears are 4-9-2 as division road favorites and 11-32-2 ATS coming off a SU loss as the chalk. The Lions are 29-16 ATS after a loss by 15 points or more. Chicago has slipped below the 'total' in eight of 10 after bowing SU as a favorite. Detroit has ducked 'under' at an 11-4-1 clip in September.

St Louis Rams (0-3, 0-3) at Dallas Cowboys (3-0, 3-0)

Dallas should attract a lot of attention this week considering it has cashed three in a row and St. Louis has failed in three straight ATS. However, the Cowboys are 8-16 as double-digit favorites and 4-9 ATS off a SU win as underdogs. They have cashed seven of eight at home off back-to-back road games. The Rams are 9-26-2 ATS against non-division foes and 10-18 ATS on the highway when facing teams with a winning record. St. Louis has eclipsed the 'total' in 14 of 20 as double-digit dogs and in 13 of 20 on the road versus a non-division opponent.