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Columnist Dean Juipe: Two Favorites and Two 'Dogs

And this weekend shouldn't be any different on either count.

According to the Gold Sheet gambling guide, only one second-round home team since 1982 -- Carolina, for a game against Dallas in 1996 -- has not been favored.

But, unlike last weekend when the favorites looked solid in advance of the games and won (and covered) in three of the four instances, the two games Saturday and the two Sunday have a much greater chance of going either way.

Personally, I think two underdogs -- Philadelphia and Oakland -- will win, with two favorites -- Pittsburgh and St. Louis -- covering.

The Eagles are a plus 3 at Chicago but the difference in the game would seem to be at quarterback, where the elusive Donovan McNabb stands in contrast to the Bears' pocket-locked Jim Miller. With each team a defensive fortress -- Chicago finished No. 1 in fewest points allowed during the regular season and Philadelphia was No. 2 -- a quarterback's ability to improvise could spell the difference, and Miller has no improvisational skills whatsoever.

Hence, the Eagles may be the better play in that Saturday game.

My other underdog pick, the Raiders, are certainly a risk after losing four of six to close the regular season, especially when compared to a New England team that swept those same six games. But the Patriots, who are a minus 3, will be playing only their second game in 28 days when they take the field Saturday, which has me leaning toward their more experienced and, perhaps, sharper opponent.

Las Vegas bettors have done well on the Pats this season -- they easily surpassed a preseason over/under prop bet that they would win only six games, and they're 11-3 both straight up and against the line with Tom Brady at quarterback -- but all good things must come to an end.

Taking the Steelers at a minus 5 1/2 against a Baltimore team that plays well in January will have its dissenters, but consider this: In their two games in the regular season, Pittsburgh outgained the Ravens by 434 yards. The fact that they lost one of those games was the direct result of kicker Kris Brown missing four field goals, and that wouldn't seem likely to happen again.

These teams are forever locked in close games and five of their last six meetings have been decided by seven or fewer points, but the Steelers are 22-7-1 against the line in their last 30 games and I think they'll add to that total Sunday.

In the weekend finale at St. Louis, the greatest concern for bettors is the health of Rams quarterback Kurt Warner. Flu-like symptoms had him in the hospital Wednesday and if he's ill the Rams at minus 10 might be a stretch.

But the Packers are not a good turf team and, just as importantly against St. Louis' wide-open attack, they're shorthanded in the secondary. Yes, the Packers' Brett Favre is playing well, but, no, I don't think he can match Warner and the Rams point for point and the game could get away from Green Bay if Warner is even remotely healthy.

As always, have fun and play within your means.

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