[Raji]

The New Orleans Saints have been one of the worst preseason teams on the planet. Coach Sean Payton's crew has flunked seven of their last eight exhibition tests and failed to cash at a 6-1-1 clip. New Orleans was blitzed by Pittsburgh at Canton in the Hall of Fame Game and last week it laid an egg in its home opener against Buffalo, 13-10.

So why would anyone consider backing the Saints on Saturday at Cincinnati? There is one very good reason: It seems that teams off two straight up losses where they scored 10 or less in both games have bounced back to cash at a 21-7-1 clip, getting the green in six of seven tries on the road.

The Bengals preseason credentials could make that trend obsolete. They have come away with the cash in their last six tests and won five of six SU. Cincinnati has been particularly potent at home, outscoring the opposition, 105-20. However, it's worth noting that despite their lackluster record the Bengals have 'covered' at a 6-3-1 pace in their last 10 road games.

Total bettors should be aware that the Cincinnati has been on the low side in seven of its last eight at Paul Brown Stadium.

Trends and angles for the remainder of the Week 2 preseason slate appear below.

DOLPHINS at CHIEFS

Miami hasn't won three straight exhibition games since the end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004. Kansas City has floundered in nine of its last 11, both straight up and ATS. The Dolphins have been on the low side in seven of their last 10 on the road. The Chiefs have followed suit in eight of their last 12 games, including four straight.

PANTHERS at EAGLES

Carolina has thrived on the road, winning four in a row and getting the money in six straight as underdogs.

FALCONS at BILLS

Atlanta has disappointed in six of its last eight as a road dog. Buffalo has knuckled 'under' in 10 of 14 games overall and in five of its last seven at home.

TITANS at PATRIOTS

Tennessee has sent a mixed preseason message. The Titans are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 trips to the post and they have come up short in five of their last six on the road. However, they have cashed four of five as road pups. Tennessee has ducked 'under' in its last seven road appearances while New England has slipped below the total in seven of 10 in Beantown.

VIKINGS at JETS

The New York Jets have 'covered' five of their last seven as home favorites. Minnesota has been a very strong road play, getting the cheddar in seven of 10 as short-enders. The Vikings have taken the low road in five of seven on the highway. Conversely, the Jets have eclipsed the total in seven of eight at the Meadowlands.

TEXANS at CARDS

Houston has 'covered' its last pair as road dogs after failing in its previous six chances. Arizona has stumbled in four of five as home chalk. The Texans have topped the total in six of nine road tests.

LIONS at BROWNS

Cleveland has been a very reliable option, cashing in 10 of its last 12 chances. Detroit has failed to show up on the road in nine of its past 10 games and it has come up short in seven of eight as underdogs. The Browns have won four of their last five versus the Lions and 'covered' three in a row. Detroit has dipped 'under' in eight of 10 on the highway and Cleveland has been on the low side in 11 of its last 14 games.

BUCS at JAGUARS

Jacksonville has held the upper hand in this in-state rivalry, winning three straight versus Tampa Bay and getting the money in the past four showdowns. The Bucs have strayed below the total in 10 of their last 15 games. The Jaguars have bounced 'over' in six of eight.

STEELERS at SKINS

Washington has stumbled in seven of its last nine ATS and Pittsburgh has failed to cash in six of eight on the road. The Steelers have ducked 'under' in their last six games and nine of their last 11. However, they have been on the high side in seven of 10 away from home. The Skins have tumbled 'under' at a 6-3 clip at home.

CHARGERS at RAMS

San Diego has blown 'over' in nine of 13 road games. St. Louis has headed in the opposite direction in five of seven at home.

BRONCOS at COWBOYS

Dallas has 'covered' seven of eight overall and seven of its last nine as home favorites. Denver has clicked in its last five chances as road dogs. The Cowboys have skipped 'under' in seven of nine at home and the Broncos have followed suit in nine of 11 on the highway.

SEAHAWKS at PACKERS

Seattle has been a solid road dog, getting the green in five of six. Conversely, Green Bay has failed to cash six of its last eight. The Seahawks have eclipsed the total in eight of their last 11 games, including five of six on the road. The Packers have topped the total in their past two trips to the post after slipping below the number in their previous six tries at home.

RAIDERS at 49ERS

San Francisco is 6-3 ATS in its last nine games. The 49ers had cashed four straight at home until coming up short last Monday versus Denver. Oakland has dropped five of its last six spread decisions as road dogs. The Raiders have gone 'under' in eight of their last 10 games away from home. San Francisco and Oakland have been on the low side in four of the last five pre-season showdowns.

GIANTS at RAVENS

The New York Giants have 'covered' three of their last four versus Baltimore. The Giants are 7-1 ATS in their last eight outings. The Ravens have cashed five of their last seven in Charm City.

BEARS at COLTS

Chicago is 6-3 as road dogs. Indianapolis is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 exhibition games and 1-10 SU.


Raji