Best Bets: Vikes should hang around in Denver

It was back to reality for me last week with my Best Bets.

Let's just say 2-3 doesn't cut it.  After a hot 4-1 in Week 2, it was a fizzle in Week 3.

The worst of my picks was taking Miami minus the points against the Bills. They never had a chance and looked lifeless. Nice job, Joe Philbin.

The Cowboys teased me with a 14-point lead before losing and the Colts rallied to take an 8-point lead, but gave up a late score and won by two with a spread of Indianapolis minus-3.

Yecch.

That puts the season record at 8-7, which isn't close to being good enough. So this week in the SuperContest at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, where I am part of Team OddsShark, I am going to the dogs.

I like four underdogs with my five picks this week.

Can you hear the barking?

Dolphins (+1.5) vs. Jets -- This is a long trip for the Dolphins to try and get things right, but I think that's just what they need. The Jets aren't great on offense, and Miami will finally get their front going against the Jets line. Turnovers will come, and Ryan Tannehill will turn them into points. They win the game outright. 

Bears (+3) vs. Raiders -- The Raiders are playing a second consecutive road game, and they are a young team. That will be a challenge for coach Jack Del Rio. The Bears have looked bad, but they've lost to three really good teams, two are among the best in the league right now in Green Bay and Arizona. This is a drop down in class, and the Bears, even with Jimmy Clausen, will find a way to pull off the upset. 

Vikings (+6.5) at Broncos  -- The Vikings got Adrian Peterson going last week, but that won't be easy here against Denver's top-ranked defense. Denver is sixth against the run. That will mean more Teddy Bridgewater. The Broncos will be playing at home for the first time since Peyton Manning took over as offensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see how they play here. Minnesota will put up a nice defensive effort to keep it under the number.

Saints (-3) vs. Cowboys -- This is the season for the Saints. They can't lose here to the Cowboys, or it's done. It looks like Drew Brees will go here for the Saints, and the Dallas defense struggled in a big way last week. That will carry over and Brandon Weeden won't be up to the task of keeping up. Saints take it. 

Lions (+10) at Seahawks -- I never like to take a team at Seattle since it's such a tough place to play. But this Seattle team hasn't looked like the same group that went to the Super Bowl the past two years. Getting 10 points is a lot for a Lions team some had going to the Super Bowl. They will play tough here and keep it within the number. 

Pete Prisco is a Senior NFL Writer for CBSSports.com. You can follow Pete at @PriscoCBS