Bodog NFL Week 14 Picks

Still, after scoring just a single rushing touchdown and averaging a disappointing 3.0 yards per carry after 11 games, there were lingering doubts as to the actual impact he would make as a professional. Many of those doubts crept into the mind of Bush himself.

"I was going through a lot of ups and down, and it's been a roller coaster," Bush told NBCSports.com. "But that's part of the learning process. … Being in the position that I'm in, I've got a million thoughts going through my head and (I'm) constantly questioning myself, whether I'm doing the right things -- am I even built for this game? -- all kinds of thoughts. It comes with the territory."

And then came last Sunday's game against San Francisco: Four touchdowns, three of them on the ground. Bush gained 168 total yards - 37 rushing and 131 receiving - as New Orleans beat the 49ers 34-10.

Cue the word "breakout" in every NFL reporter's post-game analysis.

Though Bush has demonstrated consistent improvement in his inside running - choosing to wait for blockers and running between the tackles as opposed to simply bouncing to the outside as he did in college - it's his play as a receiver that's been most valuable for New Orleans.

Against San Francisco in the fourth quarter, on a third-and-11 from the Saints' 8, Bush caught a swing pass from quarterback Drew Brees and dashed 74 yards down the right side. He would've scored, too, if he hadn't fumbled the ball and gone out of bounds. Not to worry, though, he scampered for a 10-yard TD just moments later.

Bush's importance as receiver won't be diminished on Sunday in Dallas against the Cowboys. Wide receivers Joe Horn and Marques Colston are both listed as questionable. Horn has 37 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns. Colston, once considered the favorite for rookie of the year, has 54 catches for 869 yards and seven scores but has missed the past two games with a sprained left ankle.

"You're always wanting to have a little bit of a contingency plan," Saints coach Sean Payton said of Bush's potential role as receiver on Sunday. "We have a couple of different ways to run a (pass) play. Sometimes it involves Reggie, and sometimes it doesn't."

As for the Cowboys, they've won four in a row thanks in large part to the quarterbacking of Tony Romo. The mid-season replacement for Drew Bledsoe wasn't especially sharp last Sunday in New York against the Giants. He went 20-of-34 with no TDs and two picks, good for a passer rating of 58.1, his lowest yet.

Nonetheless, it was Romo's 42-yard pass to Jason Witten with just over a minute to play that allowed kicker Martin Gramatica to nail a 46-yard field goal with a second left and bury the G-Men 23-20.

Bodog oddsmakers currently have the Cowboys listed as 7-point favorites versus the Saints, while the game's total is sitting at 48.

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QUICK HITS - NFL WEEK 14 PREVIEWS

Compiled by Bodog Nation Contributing Writers

Second-year QB Derek Anderson is likely to get the start for Cleveland less than a week after leading his Browns to a come-from-behind overtime win over the Chiefs. The Oregon State product completed 12-of-21 passes for 171 yards and two TD passes in just over a half of action against Kansas City. Anderson replaces the injured Charlie Frye. Pittsburgh won in Cleveland, 24-20, in Week 11, rebounding from a 20-10 fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Browns for the sixth straight time. -JB

With Kansas City and Baltimore coming off disappointing losses last week, look for both teams to make this a "statement" game. The Chiefs are battling for one of the AFC wild card spots and will host the Ravens for the first time in Baltimore franchise history. It could be a tough go for the K.C. offense, who will have to move the ball against a Ravens' defense that allows 15 points per game and has scored 19 touchdowns since 2004. But keep in mind this fun fact: Baltimore is the only NFL team to which the Chiefs have never lost. -MH

The Falcons got a big win last week in Miami but face a tough finishing task if they hope to make the playoffs, essentially making this game against the Bucs a must-win. If they lay an egg in Florida, they might just have to sweep their three remaining games against Dallas, Carolina, and Philly. Atlanta ran all over Tampa Bay on Sep. 17 in Georgia, racking up a franchise-record 306 yards rushing in a 14-3 victory. Bettors should note, however, that the Bucs have limited four of their last five opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground. - JB

If the last 14 games between the two are any indication, this one should be all Minnesota. The Vikes have won 13 of their last 14 against the Lions, including nine straight (Minnesota leads the all-time series 59-29-2). Not to suggest Minny's a lock. Leading rusher Chester Taylor is doubtful with a rib injury, while backup QB Brooks Bollinger is questionable with a shoulder sprain. The latter means if starting QB Brad Johnson falters, the only alternative could be rookie Tarvaris Jackson. The Vikes have lost five of their last six and are slip-sliding out of playoff contention. The Lions are playing for pride, something they've been doing for what feels like the past 11 years. Unsuccessfully, no less. -MH

Break up the Titans! One of the hottest teams in football rides into Houston this weekend with an extra chip on its shoulder - well, to be accurate, the chip is shouldered by Vince Young. In his return to the area he essentially owned in college, look for Young to show Texans QB David Carr a thing or two about running an NFL offense. And Carr should be taking notes - he's coming off a 7-for-14 passing effort against Oakland which saw him throw for 32 yards and lose two fumbles. The Texans finished with minus-five net passing yards after Carr absorbed five sacks. -MH

Arguably the two most disappointing NFC teams thus far (with special mention reserved for Atlanta and Tampa Bay), the Giants and Panthers will lock horns to see who can make strides for a wild card spot. The big question mark here involves the health of Jake Delhomme. The Carolina starter has been hampered with a sprained right thumb that has bothered him throughout the year. Delhomme is listed as questionable for this weekend. The loser of this game will fall to 6-7 and into a struggle to make the postseason. Expect a tight contest featuring some of the best pass-rushing ends in football, Julius Peppers and Osi Umenyiora. -MH

Jacksonville averages 143.0 rushing yards per game, third in the league behind San Diego and Atlanta. The Colts, the worst rush defense in the NFL, surrender an average of 159.9 yards on the ground. If form holds, Indy (7-5 against the spread) could drop its second straight and third in four games. Of note, the Jags have racked up a respectable 26 sacks on the season but will have to do better against a Colts' offensive line that's surrendered a league-low 12 sacks on Peyton Manning. -AB

The Redskins are 4-7 against the spread; however, at home they’re a respectable 3-3. They get the Eagles on a short week and have shown some spurts on offense behind new QB Jason Campbell. Washington jumped out to a 14-0 lead last week before watching the Falcons’ running game score 24 unanswered points. The ’Skins are one home dog that could play spoiler, slowing Philly’s bid for a wild card spot. The Eagles hammered Washington 27-3 on Nov. 12 at Lincoln Financial Field in what turned out to be Donovan McNabb's last full game. -AB

The Bengals look like they’ve got it figured out. They notched their third straight win last Thursday, keeping their division title hopes alive with the victory over AFC North-leading Baltimore. After allowing 49 points to the Chargers in Week 10, Cincinnati has given up a total of 23 points over three games. The Bengals get the beleaguered Raiders, who’ve lost five straight. Oakland has won the past three meetings, dating to Nov. 5, 1995. The Raiders were favored by 12 the last time they met, in 2003. Oh, how times have changed. -AB

The home team is 11-3 against the spread in the past 14 meetings. That trend could continue this week as the suddenly tough-to-beat Dolphins will likely be an underdog by a field goal or more at kickoff. The Patriots won their third straight last week, but had trouble at home against the Lions. New England QB Tom Brady has had just one Brady-like game in his last five. That came against Green Bay in Week 11 and included four TD passes and no interceptions. In the other four games, he's thrown for just two scores while tossing up eight picks. -AB

Just like that the Niners have gone from feel-good story and playoff contender to concentrating on where they might draft in April. They’ve dropped two straight, reacting predictably to a demoralizing Week 12 loss by falling 34-10 at New Orleans last Sunday. Although they get the awful Packers at home, they still have to contend with Brett Favre and he could be enough to give Green Bay the cover. Note that "could" is the operative word here; Favre hasn't put up a QB rating over 60 in three games. -AB

Despite the Madden curse and the Super Bowl curse hovering over them all season, the Seahawks still hold a three-game lead in the NFC West and can clinch the division Sunday with a win at Arizona, along with a Niners' loss to the Packers. The ‘Hawks may end up keeping their division champ caps sealed however, as they are only 1-7-1 against the spread in their last nine on the road. -CR

Do not adjust your NFL standings, the Jets actually do have a shot at the wild card. Their surprising season has provided great value for bettors. New York has gone 8-4 against the spread. Problem is, its opponents this weekend are no slouches either; the Bills are also 8-4 ATS and have covered their last five. These two teams haven't met since Week 3, a 28-20 victory for New York. The Bills haven' beaten the Jets at Giants Stadium since 2001. -CR

What many analysts knew, the Broncos figured out Sunday: QB Jay Cutler is a rookie and he is going to struggle. It only gets tougher for the kid out of Vandy as the Chargers are coming to town. Linebacker Shawne Merriman already has one solid game under his belt, posting five tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in last week's return from a four-game suspension. -CR

St. Louis can almost close the door on its playoff hopes, and Chicago could be the team that slams them shut. The Bears continue to boast the best defense in the NFL allowing only 12.5 points per game while the Rams have gone 1-5 against the spread in their last six. However, if Rex Grossman continues to play the game “How low can my QB rating go?”, the home underdog Rams will have a shot at an upset. - CR

PHOTO: High-flying Reggie Bush scored four touchdowns on Dec. 3 against San Francisco. (AP Photo)

Note: All NFL lines subject to change.

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