Year of the Dog

Millions of people around the world that follow the Chinese Calendar will tell you that 2005 was the 'Year of the Rooster.' NFL bettors are more likely to remember it as the 'Year of the Favorite.' However, Chinese calendar enthusiasts and NFL gamblers alike can both agree that 2006 will always be remembered as the 'Year of the Dog.'

Indeed, 'dogs' have been barking loudly all season, going a solid 100-86-5 against the number. Home underdogs have been particularly profitable, going a highly profitable 37-22-2 ATS. That was certainly the case this past Sunday afternoon. The Titans (+7.5) upset the Colts. The Browns (+4.5) delivered a blow to the Chiefs' playoff hopes with a 31-28 overtime victory. The (+6) Bills weren't able to complete the hat trick of outright upsets. They did play very well in the second half though and earned us a late 'back-door cover.' The Giants and Cowboys locked horns in the later part of the afternoon. Once again, the home dog covered the number (or 'pushed' depending on when and where one played) as the Giants (+3.5) lost on a late Martin Grammatica field goal.

There are several more home underdogs on the Week 14 schedule, including the Bucs, Jaguars, Cardinals, Dolphins and Rams. Considering that the next 'Year of the Dog' won't come around for another dozen years, I might just have to back a couple of them!

A list of the current SU and ATS trends appears below. Stats include all the Week 13 results except the Monday Night game between Carolina and Philadelphia.

Straight Up (SU)

Ben Burns is having another awesome year and ranks #1 at one of the Internet's most respected sports monitors for the current NFL season. Even more impressively, competiting against 150 of the biggest names in the business, Burns also ranks #1 of All-Time! Ben's 'totals' are world famous. However, his 'sides' aren't too shabby either. After a 3-0 sweep on Sunday, Ben is now 34-16 (68%) with his NFL sides this season, 42-20 if one includes the preseason!

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