NFL Picks Week 9: Against-the-Spread Quarterback Report

Sports bettors often over think the point spread when it's often as easy as backing the right quarterback in a particular situation.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came up with a big performance in just his fifth game as a home underdog inside Heinz Field last week, handing Tom Brady and the New England Patriots a 25-17 loss.

Let's take a closer look at some betting trends for NFL signal-callers heading into Week 9 of the regular season.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the frontrunner to come away with the NFL's Most Valuable Player award, while also being a formidable 20-12 against-the-spread mark when playing on the road.

Rodgers' squad is currently favored by 5.5-points over the San Diego Chargers Sunday.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is a money-making 11-6-1 ATS as an underdog, currently getting 5.5 points at home versus the Green Bay Packers.

Rivers failed to cover the number earlier this year when getting points, dropping a 35-21 decision to the New England Patriots as 6.5-point road underdogs in Week 2.

The Chargers are still a formidable home underdog against any NFL team.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has failed to cover as a road favorite in both instances this year, but is still 7-4 ATS in that particular role.

Facing the winless Indianapolis Colts looks like an opportunity to get back on track.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will be facing an angry Pittsburgh Steelers squad Sunday, registering a 35-7 blowout win at home in the first meeting this season.

He came into the year as a solid bet when facing a revenge-minded opponent, posting a 19-9-2 ATS mark in the situation.

The Ravens are getting three points on the road and are 7-3 ATS in Week 9.

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

Life on the road has been tough for Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, even before he arrived in the Windy City.

The former Vanderbilt Commodores star is 12-22-1 ATS when playing away from home in his NFL career.

Chicago is a nine-point road underdog against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders

Carson Palmer is one of the worst quarterbacks to back when favored, coming into Week 9's divisional matchup with the Denver Broncos with a 17-30-1 ATS record.

The numbers get even worse when laying points at home, coming in with a terrible 9-21-1 ATS mark.

There may be some "Tebowing" in the Bay Area this weekend.

Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has already lost more games in the NFL than he did while standing under center for the Texas Longhorns.

He's also been a failure to bettors when playing on the road, coming into this week's game against the Houston Texans with a 2-5 ATS record.

Things are definitely bigger in Texas for Austin's favorite son.

Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has piloted his team to a 3-1-1 ATS record when favored this season, but it's still not a great situation for him.

The franchise has never covered a spread as a double-digit favorite (0-2-1 ATS), while Schaub is 13-18-2 ATS when laying points in his career.

Buyer beware against the Cleveland Browns this weekend.

Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs will dress up as favorites for the first time since Week 1, something that quarterback Matt Cassel can't be thrilled about.

The former USC Trojans backup signal-caller is 6-10 ATS as a home favorite, which includes a 41-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills when laying 3.5 points to open the 2011 campaign.

Hmm.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is in the ultimate revenge situation, last facing the New York Giants in a 17-14 loss in Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008.

It ruined the Patriots' chances of finishing the year with a perfect 19-0 record, while Brady missed out on winning his fourth ring.

He came into the 2011 season with a dominating 33-16-3 ATS record when playing with revenge in hand.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has put up some impressive numbers in his career, but covering the number at home isn't one of them.

The former Purdue Boilermakers signal-caller is just 28-30-2 ATS when laying points in front of the home fans.

It's important to note that he enters Sunday's contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 3-0 ATS record in this situation in 2011, including a 62-7 blowout win over the Indianapolis Colts in his last try.

Eli Manning, New York Giants

Eli Manning continues to be a bad bet when playing at home, but bettors shouldn't lose sight of his performance in games outside the Big Apple.

The New York Giants are 2-1 ATS on the road this year under his direction, improving his career mark to 36-21-1 ATS in the situation.

Now that's impressive.

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez will likely dress up as an underdog for the first time in his career against the Buffalo Bills Sunday.

The former USC Trojans star is 11-8 ATS when getting points in the NFL.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are sizable home favorites against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, something that doesn't set up well for quarterback Michael Vick coming off a win.

Bettors watched the Eagles hand the Dallas Cowboys a 34-7 defeat as three-point home favorites in primetime last week, but Vick is just 21-26 ATS after tasting victory.

The Eagles have covered the spread in three consecutive games just once since he joined the team in 2009-10.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be seeking revenge against an opponent for a second consecutive week, something that doesn't happen very often in the Steel City.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scored a 25-17 win over the New England Patriots last week as three-point home underdogs, moving his record to 29-16-1 ATS in that situation.

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith is enjoying a renaissance in head coach Jim Harbaugh's first year in the Bay Area, leading his team to a 6-1 record, including a 6-0-1 ATS mark.

Bettors should be wary this week when visiting Washington, as the former No. 1 pick out of Utah is 1-4 ATS when laying points on the road in his NFL career.

You've been warned with the betting odds inviting action on the visitor Sunday.

Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans

Matt Hasselbeck finished his career with the Seattle Seahawks with a 32-19-2 ATS record when playing as a home favorite.

He must be respected in this role with the Tennessee Titans despite being 2-2 ATS through four games at LP Field.

Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Perhaps the quarterback that brings in the most dominating betting trend into Week 9's schedule, bettors will certainly respect the mark.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers third-year signal-caller Josh Freeman is 12-2-1 ATS on the road.

The team's 24-18 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 7 doesn't count against the record with that particular affair being played in London.