NFL Week 9 News

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METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints have released kicker Taylor Mehlhaff and punter Ben Graham, leaving the team to spend its bye week trying to fill each position for a third time this season.

Team officials confirmed the cuts Tuesday night, hours after head coach Sean Payton had met with reporters. Payton had not indicated that any roster moves were planned.

Mehlhaff, who the Saints drafted last spring but cut after training camp, was brought back to replace injured kicker Martin Gramatica in Week 6. In three games since, Mehlhaff was 3-of-4 on field goals and 9-of-10 on extra points.

He missed an extra point in last Sunday's 37-32 victory in London over the San Diego Chargers.

The Saints have had five different kickers on their active roster during the past three seasons, the other being Olindo Mare, Billy Cundiff and John Carney.

Carney, now 44, has been kicking for the New York Giants this season.

Graham replaced Steve Weatherford, who was cut after the Saints' loss to Carolina on Oct. 19. Graham's only appearance for the Saints came last Sunday in London. He punted three times, averaging 42 yards.

Weatherford, who was signed by Kansas City last week, was the Saints' only punter from the beginning of the 2006 season, when he was a rookie, until he was cut less than two weeks ago.

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Quarterback Daunte Culpepper visited the Detroit Lions Tuesday morning and has initiated contract negotiations following a workout.

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Talks are in the beginning stage and Culpepper has not made any salary demands. Culpepper left the Lions' facility without agreeing to a contract, but he indicated that he will stay in contact with the team.

On Tuesday morning, Culpepper, who announced last week he was coming out of retirement, notified the Chiefs he is looking at the Lions more than the Chiefs.

The Chiefs contacted Culpepper last week and he was intrigued enough to come out of retirement and consider a visit to Kansas City.

That visit didn't happen, and each side has gone its separate way.

Culpepper labeled his workout with the Lions a good one.

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The New England Patriots were assessed zero penalty yards in their win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday -- and the Rams want to know why.

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The Rams are sending a videotape to the NFL's offices, highlighting plays the team believes should have resulted in penalties against the Patriots on Sunday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

"Never ever, ever, ever played a perfect team before," Rams guard Richie Incognito said about the disparity, according to the report. "That's all I am going to say on that one."

During the game, the Rams were flagged 12 times (with three penalties declined) for 63 yards; the Patriots were flagged once, with the Rams declining that penalty.

"It doesn't help. It just lets them know you know," Rams coach Jim Haslett said of the decision to send the tape, according to the report.

The Post-Dispatch reported that Haslett pointed out three plays he believed should have resulted in personal fouls against the Patriots: a grab of quarterback Marc Bulger's face mask; a late hit on Bulger; and an out-of-bounds hit on cornerback Fakhir Brown following an interception.

Haslett also said the Rams were hurt by a poor placement on a punt that Donnie Jones kicked out of bounds during the fourth quarter, according to the report. New England took possession at its 48-yard line and tied the score at 16 on a field goal six plays later.

"I thought we should've had at least another 10 yards," Haslett said of the placement, according to the report.

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N.Y. Jets at Buffalo (-5.5)

Why Jets cover: Underdog is 5-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last five meetings. Brett Favre has thrown nine TD passes in his last five games against Buffalo.

Why Bills cover: Have won three of last four contests. Jets are 2-7 ATS in their last nine meetings and 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings in Buffalo. Bills have only allowed one 100-yard rusher this season.

Total (42): Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings and 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Buffalo.

Detroit at Chicago (-13)

Why Lions cover: Underdog is 7-2 ATS in their last nine meetings. Rumour of Daunte Culpepper signing could push Dan Orlovsky to perform better.

Why Bears cover: Are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games and have won five of last seven meetings with Detroit. Kyle Orton had the best game of his career in Week 5 against the Lions, completing over 70 percent of his passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns.

Total (43): Over is 6-2 in Lions’ last eight road games and 18-5 in Bears’ last 23 home games.

Jacksonville at Cincinnati (+9)

Why Jaguars cover: Have won nine of last 10 meetings. Are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 meetings and 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Cincinnati. Favorite is 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 meetings. Solid rushing attack should dominate Cincy’s 27th ranked rush defense.

Why Bengals cover: T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson could exploit Jacksonville’s 22nd ranked pass defense. Jaguars are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games on grass.

Total (40): Over is 5-2-1 in the last eight meetings in Cincinnati.

Baltimore at Cleveland (-1)

Why Ravens cover: Are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games. Holding opponents to just over 15 points per contest. Joe Flacco has a QB rating of 101 in his last two games compared to 60.1 in his previous five.

Why Browns cover: Get Kellen Winslow back from suspension. Home team is 7-2 ATS in their last nine meetings. Ravens are 1-5 ATS in their last six meetings and 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings in Cleveland. Baltimore has lost nine of its last 11 road games.

Total (36.5): Under is 11-2 in Browns’ last 13 games.

Tampa Bay at Kansas City (+9.5)

Why Buccaneers cover: Are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games. Have won last two meetings. Chiefs will be without Larry Johnson again, due to suspension.

Why Chiefs cover: Bucs will be without starting safety Jermaine Phillips who broke his arm last week. Tyler Thigpen (280 yards, two TDs) is coming off his best game as a pro last week and hasn’t thrown an interception is his last three. Tony Gonzalez has stepped up his game with 176 yards receiving in the last two weeks after averaging 38.6 yards in his previous five games.

Total (36.5): Over is 7-2 in Chiefs’ last nine home games and 6-2 in Buccaneers’ last eight road games.

Houston at Minnesota (-4.5)

Why Texans cover: Andre Johnson has almost 600 yards receiving in his last four games and has really gelled with QB Matt Schaub. Minnesota is vulnerable through the air, allowing 219.4 yards per game. Vikings are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games.

Why Vikings cover: Adrian Peterson gets to face the NFL’s 20th ranked rush defense allowing 119 yards per game on the ground. Texans are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games.

Total (47): Over is 5-0 in Texans’ last five road games and 8-1 in their last nine games overall.

Arizona at St. Louis (+3)

Why Cardinals cover: Have won three of last four meetings. Are 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings in St. Louis. Rams’ 26th-ranked pass defense will have a hard time stopping the likes of Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.

Why Rams cover: Are 3-0 ATS since firing head coach Scott Linehan. Expected to get running back Steven Jackson back from injury. Underdog is 8-1 ATS in their last nine meetings.

Total (48): Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings and 5-1 in the last six meetings in St. Louis.

Green Bay at Tennessee (-5.5)

Why Packers cover: Are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 road games. Aaron Rodgers has six TD passes and only one interception in his last three games. With 278 yards rushing in his last three games, Ryan Grant is starting to regain his 2007 form.

Why Titans cover: Have won last two meetings. Are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games and 7-0 ATS in their last seven games overall. Stifling defense and power running game allows Titans to control the clock and keep the other team's offense off the field.

Total (41.5): Over is 4-1 in Titans’ last five games.

Miami at Denver (-3)

Why Dolphins cover: Are 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings winning four of those games. Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings. Denver’s backfield is a mess with Michael Pittman (ribs), Selvin Young (groin), Andre Hall (wrist) and Ryan Torain (shoulder) all battling injuries. The Broncos will also be without both Champ and Boss Bailey who were injured prior to Denver’s bye week.

Why Broncos cover: Are 6-0 ATS in their last six games following a bye week. Own the NFL’s second best offense and could punish the Dolphins 25th ranked pass defense.

Total (49): Over is 4-1 in Dolphins’ last five road games and 13-3-1 in Broncos’ last 17 home games.

Dallas at N.Y. Giants (-9.5)

Why Cowboys cover: Have won last three regular season meetings. Defense held the Buccaneers to only three field goals last week and was especially strong in their own half of the field.

Why Giants cover: Dallas will stick with Brad Johnson (60.3 rating) at QB despite his inability to thrown the ball downfield. Cowboys are 2-5-2 ATS in their last nine meetings. Should be able to exploit Dallas secondary that should be without Terrence Newman, Adam Jones and Anthony Henry. Cowboys could be without leading receiver Jason Witten, who has a broken rib.

Total (41): Over is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings in New York.

Atlanta at Oakland (+3)

Why Falcons cover: Michael Turner is the league’s third leading rusher and gets to face an Oakland team that ranks 27th against the run. Raiders are 9-24 ATS in their last 33 home games.

Why Raiders cover: Have won seven of 11 all-time meetings. Falcons are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games. Tom Cable wants to start opening up the passing game with JaMarcus Russell. Could get running back Darren McFadden back from a toe injury.

Total (41): Over is 10-4 in Falcons’ last 14 games and 10-4 in Raiders’ last 14 games.

Philadelphia at Seattle (+7)

Why Eagles cover: Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings. Road team is 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings. Brian Westbrook showed no ill effects from his rib injury totalling 178 yards and two TDs last week. Seattle is expected to be without injured quarterback Matt Hasselbeck once again.

Why Seahawks cover: Have won last two meetings. Are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home games. Mike Holmgren wants to open up the offense with Seneca Wallace at quarterback.

Total (43): Over is 4-0 in Eagles’ last four road games and 8-1-1 in Seahawks last 10 games overall.

New England at Indianapolis (-5.5)

Why Patriots cover: Are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings in Indianapolis. Peyton Manning is playing well below his normal standards and is sporting his worst QB rating since his rookie season. Underdog is 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 meetings.

Why Colts cover: Have won three of last four matchups. Patriots are 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings. Dominic Rhodes has rushed for over 70 yards in each of his last three games with three TDs and could beat up New England’s 20th-ranked rush defense.

Total (44): Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh at Washington (-1)

Why Steelers cover: Have won last three meetings. Will get deep threat Santonio Holmes back from suspension. Mike Tomlin has never lost on Monday Night Football.

Why Redskins cover: Are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games. League’s leading rusher Clinton Portis is carrying the Redskins offense and has 260 more rushing yards than the next closest player. Steelers are 1-5 ATS in their last six Monday games.

Total (37): Under is 4-1 in Redskins’ last five home games and 4-1-1 in their last six games overall.

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