Unappreciated Westbrook, Eagles still playing hard

Overpaid and overrated players stain every NFL roster, but the Philadelphia Eagles have a lot to gain by holding onto running back Brian Westbrook, who happens to be underpaid and unselfish.

In a league full of obnoxious wide receivers and mediocre quarterbacks, Westbrook is quietly productive. He even is willing to sacrifice personal numbers for the good of the team, a rare concept.

The Eagles (6-8) have had a rough season and face tough decisions in the offseason. Do they let quarterback Donovan McNabb go to the Chicago Bears? Do they bring back coach Andy Reid? Do they keep Westbrook, who is due for a pay raise?

McNabb is probably gone, Reid is probably staying and Westbrook is probably the team's most valuable player.

Westbrook is fifth in the league with 1,191 yards rushing and has not lost a fumble in 254 carries. He also has 83 receptions.

Despite all the team's turmoil, Philadelphia has been hanging tough, especially on the road. The Eagles are 4-1 straight up -- with a 31-28 loss at New England -- and 5-0 against the spread in their past five road games.

That's one reason I like Philadelphia as a 31/2-point road underdog to New Orleans on Sunday. The Saints (7-7) need to win to stay in the playoff hunt in the NFC, but the Saints laying more than a field goal is tricky.

If there is an edge for New Orleans it's quarterback Drew Brees, who has rebounded from a disastrous start. Brees has passed for 24 touchdowns with only six interceptions since early October.

Brees is fourth in the league with 3,819 yards passing, trailing Tom Brady, Tony Romo and Brett Favre.

McNabb is no longer in that elite class, but he is playing better and he did just enough to help the Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys on the road a week ago.

The Saints rank 30th in the league in pass defense. The Eagles are more physical on defense and put intense heat on the passer.

These teams met twice last season and New Orleans won both by scores of 27-24. Look for Westbrook to make some noise and bet on the underdog.

I also like Buffalo (+3) and Jacksonville (-13), but here are my other four prayers for Week 16 (home team in CAPS):

• Browns (-21/2) over BENGALS: Cleveland is getting involved in a lot of close calls, with six of its nine wins by eight points or fewer. Cincinnati is in the spoiler role, but its defense is weak and quarterback Carson Palmer looks wobbly. The Bengals are 2-9-1 against the spread at home against opponents with a winning record.

• Packers (-8) over BEARS: Green Bay, 12-2 straight up and 11-2-1 against the spread, would like to crush Chicago and avenge a fluke 27-20 loss on Oct. 7. The Bears rank 29th in defense, and I'll side with Brett Favre any day in a quarterback matchup with Kyle Orton.

• CARDINALS (-10) over Falcons: Few NFL teams ever have played worse than Atlanta did last week in a 37-3 loss at Tampa Bay. The Falcons seem to have surrendered. The Cardinals laying double digits is rare and scary, but this should be a blowout.

• SEAHAWKS (-10) over Ravens: Rookie Troy Smith is starting at quarterback for Baltimore, which is 2-12 against the spread. The Ravens are deflated after losing to Miami and linebacker Ray Lewis, the team's emotional leader, is out.

Last week: 4-1 against the spread

Season: 32-39-4

Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans can be reached at 387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.