Inconsistency has sapped power from NFC East

Every year when discussing the NFL, we assign an unofficial title to a group of teams perceived to be residing in the league's best division. That banner might be blank this year.

The NFC East has laid claim to the crown in recent years, but the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles have been inconsistent.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants odds director Tony Sinisi said Tony Romo and the Cowboys are rising and the Giants falling.

"The Cowboys have the biggest upside. They have shown flashes of brilliance. All the pieces are in place," Sinisi said. "The Giants are suffering a serious illness. My perception of them changed when they were able to make an ordinary San Diego Chargers defense look formidable."

LVSC senior oddsmaker Mike Seba sees light at the end of the tunnel for Philadelphia.

"The Eagles' schedule has been extremely tough, with two West Coast trips and the time frames for when they caught tough teams," Seba said. "(Running back) Brian Westbrook is always hurt, so that's not a determining factor for me. I think they'll be OK."

The Giants, coming off a bye, are 7-point home favorites over Atlanta today, and New York has been getting bet throughout the week.

It might be a rivalry game, but Dallas would be hard pressed to lose to the woeful Washington Redskins. The Cowboys are 11-point home favorites.

The Eagles, 3-point favorites at Chicago, will be looking to harass Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who has a penchant for throwing the football to the wrong-colored jerseys.

As for which division ranks as the best, Seba casts his vote for a new contender.

"The AFC North features some very good teams, but with the Cleveland Browns weighing on everyone like an anchor, I'll side with the AFC South," he said. "On any given Sunday, all four teams -- Indianapolis, Houston, Jacksonville and now Tennessee -- are capable of being live."

It's that time of year when a certain proposition wager hits the board around town: Will a team go unbeaten?

At the M Resort, the New Orleans Saints (9-0) are plus-375 for betting "Yes" and minus-450 for "No."

Mike Colbert, the M Resort sports book director, said the Saints' schedule looks favorable, with two high-profile games on the horizon and already on the betting board.

The Saints are 3-point home favorites over New England on Nov. 30 and 7-point home favorites over Dallas on Dec. 19.

"As for the Colts, it may be a moot point after (today's) visit to Baltimore, but if they win, we'll throw up a Colts unbeaten prop this week," Colbert said.

Indianapolis-Baltimore is an intriguing game, with the line ranging from Colts minus-11/2 to pick 'em at Las Vegas books.

Peyton Manning and the Colts have handled adversity and found ways to win games they had no business winning, specifically last week against New England and at Miami on Sept. 21.

"The injuries on defense and the young wide receiving corps will catch up with Indianapolis at some point," Colbert said.

I've stuck my neck out like an ostrich this past week on "Sportsbook Radio," claiming the Oakland Raiders will give the Cincinnati Bengals all they can handle today. The Bengals are 91/2-point road favorites.

Let's take it to the next level and put my neck directly in the noose. Oakland (plus-375 on the money line) will beat the Bengals outright!

The Raiders remain a laughingstock, but they get the Bengals coming off back-to-back AFC North wins over Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Bengals are depleted at running back, and the cross-country travel is a detrimental factor.

I have no clue where the points will come from for Oakland, though the move to start Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback will help. Sebastian Janikowski might boot six field goals.

If Cincinnati boat races the Raiders, I'll be residing in my own personal black hole this week. If I win, I look like a genius. If I lose, everyone laughs at me.

Brian Blessing, project manager for Las Vegas Sports Consultants, can be reached at bblessing@lvsc.com. Hear the LVSC oddsmakers on "Sportsbook Radio," weekdays at 3 p.m. on ESPN Radio (1100 AM) and Sirius 98.