NFL Home Dogs Biting and Barking

It was quite a weekend for home dogs in the NFL. This is nothing new, as it’s always tougher to play your best football on the road than at home. Conversely, underdogs that are at home are always worth a look. Being a home dog means the opponent is better, at least as far as the general perception with fans and bettors.

Teams usually give their best effort at home in front of all their fans. This can be even more the case if the game is on national TV. The Cowboys were off a big win at Carolina and came into Sunday’s meeting at Washington as a favorite. Washington has great football fans who adore their Redskins, from all the way back to the 70s and George Allen, and the 80s and 90s with Joe Gibbs and the Hogs. In addition, it was a key division game between two longtime NFC East rivals, one the players and fans always get up for, regardless of the records.

Washington not only covered by won the game, 22-19, on a last second field goal to snap a 3-game losing streak. Redskins came off their bye week knowing they needed a victory to have any chance of making the rest of the season meaningful, and coach Joe Gibbs vowed a strong effort.

Take a look at a bad team like the 49ers last season. They were 1-6 SU, 3-4 ATS on the road, but at home this young team was competitive, at 3-5 SU and 5-3 against the number. From 2003-04 the Cardinals were 1-15 straight up and 4-12 ATS on the road, yet 9-7 SU/11-5 ATS at home. Remember when the Cardinals should have beaten the Bears on Monday night football last month? They outplayed Chicago and easily got the cover as a double digit home dog. Think they would have played that well had the game been in Chicago?

Being at home usually brings out the best in teams. Last week the Raiders were a big home dog to the Steelers, and not only covered but won the game. Think they would have done that in Pittsburgh? Young teams often find themselves home dogs, and can put up a fight at home, but play poorly on the road. Young teams often lack confidence, which can dissipate after a few bad plays on the road, with the fans cheering against them. At home, however, they can be a very different team.

Let’s look at the 49ers again, a young team rebuilding under coach Mike Nolan, who is in his second season. This year San Francisco is brutal on the road, allowing 38 points per game! No wonder they are 0-3 SU and 1-2 against the spread away from home, which was a problem last season. On the road the offense averages just 12 ppg. At home, though, the offense averages almost twice that! San Fran, for all their youth and inexperience, is 3-2 SU/ATS at home in 2006. They were a home dog again Sunday, and played very tough against the Vikings, getting the cover and winning as a home dog. Home dogs and both college and the pros can provide wagering value!

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