Since neither is the case, it really doesn't matter, but it is a fact.
It's also known that teams coming off a Monday night loss, like the Eagles this week, lose nearly 80 percent of the time the following week.
But this is a tough game for the Steelers, who will be playing their second consecutive road game. It's usually a tall task to win back-to-back road games.
Pittsburgh is a 31/2-point underdog against Philadelphia, which sounds about right.
Figure on a close game, but the Eagles should win. They need the game much more than the Steelers. Take Philadelphia to win, 24-20.
Dallas (minus 3)
at Green Bay
It's hard to believe, but the Cowboys have never won at Lambeau Field, going 0-5 there. Included in those five games are the famous "Ice Bowl" in 1967.
There won't be any ice on the field in this game.
Take Dallas, 31-24
Jacksonville (plus 51/2) at Indianapolis
Jacksonville is running out of healthy offensive linemen, but the Colts have been devastated by injuries, the latest being to Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders.
Take Indianapolis to win, but Jacksonville to cover in a 20-17 loss.
New York Jets (plus 9) at San Diego
The Chargers can't possibly open the season 0-3, can they? San Diego should be plenty angry after losing late in the fourth quarter, twice.
Take San Diego, 31-17
Miami (plus 121/2)
at New England
Maybe this week Matt Cassell will throw the ball more than 10 yards down the field. Then again, maybe he won't have to.
Take New England, 24-10
Carolina (plus 3)
at Minnesota
The Vikings finally realized Tavaris Jackson isn't very good. Gus Frerotte gets the start at QB for the Vikings. Steve Smith returns for Carolina after a two-game suspension.
Take Minnesota, 20-14
New Orleans (plus 5) at Denver
If you thought the Broncos had a shootout last week against the Chargers, wait until you see them throw the ball around against New Orleans. First team to 50 wins.
Take Denver, 48-38
Cincinnati (plus 131/2) at New York Giants
Who made this schedule for the Giants? The defending Super Bowl champions whipped Washington and St. Louis and now get the disfunctional Bengals.
Take New York, 38-13
St. Louis (plus 10)
at Seattle
There's no truth to the rumor that Steve Largent is suiting up for the Seahawks at wide receiver this week. The Rams are awful, having been outscored 79-16 the first two weeks.
Take Seattle, 27-6, as the pick of the week
Oakland (plus 91/2)
at Buffalo
Oakland won the battle of bad teams against Kansas City, but running backs Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden were both banged up, saving coach Lane Kiffin's job in the process. Buffalo should dominate this one-dimensional, dysfunctional group.
Take Buffalo, 27-14
Arizona (plus 3)
at Washington
The Cardinals are 2-0 for the first time since Kurt Warner started turning gray. OK, maybe it hasn't been that long, but it's been a long time. It says here they won't go 3-0.
Take Washington, 28-24
Houston (plus 5)
at Tennessee
Houston got an early bye week due to Hurricane Ike, giving the Texans another week to stew about the loss to the Steelers. Tennessee plays ugly, but finds ways to win. Not this week.
Take Houston, 20-17
Tampa Bay (plus 3)
at Chicago
Brian Griese returns to Chicago as the starter for Tampa Bay. Somehow, he couldn't beat out Rex Grossman last season, something Kyle Orton did this year. Return specialist Devin Hester is hurting, which severely limits Chicago's scoring ability.
Take Tampa Bay, 24-16
Cleveland (plus 2)
at Baltimore
Not playing last week cost rookie quarterback Joe Flacco some critical playing time. Cleveland isn't 0-3 bad.
Take the Browns, 20-13
Detroit (plus 4)
at San Francisco
Just when you think the Lions couldn't be any worse, they blow a late lead at home against Green Bay and give up three late touchdowns, two on interception returns. I'm going to keep picking them until they win, which may take a while.
Take Detroit, 30-27
Kansas City (plus 5)
at Atlanta
Remember when everyone was praising the great draft picks the Chiefs made this year? None of those guys was named Tyler Thigpen, but he'll be the rookie who starts at quarterback. Matt Ryan is much better than Thigpen.
Take Atlanta, 20-6
Last Week, 9-5-1, hit pick of the week.
Overall, 18-11-1, 1-1 in pick of the week.
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com