Double-digit underdogs stumbled early this season but have righted themselves with five consecutive covers . . .

The Saints surely will rely on RB Alvin Kamara, but wait . . .

Aaron Rodgers might have lost a few mph off his fastball . . .

Denver has downed all seven opponents outright who now are saddled with a losing record . . .

The Bears are winless outright on the road this season, with the worst one (38-13 at San Francisco) happening most recently . . .

There is too much positive buzz about L.A.'s 44-42 heart-stopper against Buffalo. The offense was superb but the defense stunk. Having said that, the Rams are more likely to replicate their offensive than defensive showing here. The quartet of QB Matthew Stafford, RB Kyren Williams and WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua might be unmatched in the league. The 49ers are down to their third RB, Isaac Guerendo, and he is banged up. San Fran has weathered a glut of injuries somewhat because of its impressive depth, but there is a limit. Too many guys are out, and a short week complicates preparation for younger players and backups. If DE Nick Bosa sits again, Stafford will get more time in the pocket to make magic.

Every year, one team gets covered almost head-to-toe by bite marks from the injury bug. This season, it's San Francisco. Monday night in Buffalo, the offense was further afflicted as RBs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason will be off rehabbing -- McCaffrey after having just returned. That leaves rookie Isaac Guerendo as the primary ball-carrier. Though it's early in the week, the defense could welcome reinforcements if DE Nick Bosa and others return. For the Bears, a head coaching change is unlikely to super-charge the pedestrian offense right away. While its stock is rising, Chicago's O still ranks 25th. These factors add up to a score lower than this mid-range number.

Only two weeks ago, these teams combined for 22 points. There is little reason to believe they will double the total in a rapid turn-around. Both defenses were trending in a desirable direction before the first meeting. Seattle must toil without top RB Kenneth Walker, and effective edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu has been activated off I.R. QB Geno Smith has been sharp, but Walker's absence should allow the 'Zona defense to focus on pass prevention. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has slumped, throwing three interceptions with one TD pass in the last two outings.

Concussed Trevor Lawrence has landed on injured reserve, leaving the Jags with pedestrian backup Mac Jones at the helm. He has throw for more interceptions (three) than touchdowns (two) this season. Jax can hardly lean on its defense for a rescue. It ranks last in yards and 30th in points allowed. Jones counterpart Will Levis, for the time being, is avoiding the brain farts that seemed befitting a high school QB and plagued him earlier in the season. A recent upset of Houston and competitive losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota might sound like the elements of faint praise, but it signals an improvement for the Titans that should be sufficient for a cover here.

A key to QB Russell Wilson's recent success has been WR George Pickens. However, Pickens is an injury-related scratch, which will impair the Steelers' offense. Cleveland got under this number 2 1/2 weeks ago with a five-point defeat to Pittsburgh. Riding with the hot-and-cold Cleveland QB Jameis Winston is always a risk, but he will be familiar with the Steelers' D this time. No player will be more fired up than Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett, who accumulated three sacks of Wilson in the first half alone and took offense at the suggestion that Pittsburgh LB T.J. Watt is having the better season.

Patience has paid off as this spread finally reached two full touchdowns. The Panthers are much improved -- having won twice outright in the past four weeks, falling to Kansas City on a last-tick field goal and losing in overtime. An emerging strength is their pass rush, which could give QB Jalen Hurts a hard time. True trap games, in which a team has a softer opponent sandwiched between major tests, are rare in the league. But Philly is coming off a taxing win over Baltimore and faces nearly-as-hot Pittsburgh next week. An Eagles win is probable; a blowout is not.

Most margins in New York's losses have been by a single score. With the setbacks and the injuries piling up side-by-side, the sense is that double-digit defeats are looming. Two standouts, CB Sauce Gardner and RB Breece Hall, have been declared out, while Pro Bowl LB C.J. Mosley has been sent to injured reserve. QB Aaron Rodgers is staggering toward possible retirement. The Jets (3-9 straight-up), with superior offenses than this one, have managed three TDs in the last half-dozen visits to Miami. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa owns a perfect record against them.

You know the weather will be harsh in Buffalo when the Bills recruit volunteers to shovel snow in and around the stadium. The downfall is expected to be measured in feet, not inches. The 49ers have cleared QB Brock Purdy to play, which has propped up the total, but how effective can he be, especially with OT Trent Williams and OG Aaron Banks scratched? A concern is Buffalo QB Josh Allen's effectiveness in inclement conditions, yet this predicted amount of accumulation might be excessive enough to limit the league's Mr. Snowman.

Now that the Rams have regained their health, particularly with WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back onboard, a late-season surge is foreseeable. Nacua torched New Orleans last season with 11 catches for 164 yards. Coaches do not suit up, but Sean McVay versus interim Darren Rizzi seems one-sided. The schedule-makers tossed L.A. a break with a late kickoff time in the eastern time zone.

Rookie Drake Maye is an upgrade at QB for New England, but the team is nonetheless 2-5 straight-up with him starting. The Pats still rank dead-last in yards per game. Though Indy has gotten pounded by superior opponents, it has beaten four out of five foes with sub-.500 records. Let's compare ATS marks: the Colts are 8-4, the Pats 4-7-1. A 2.5-point spread against a weak foe can be a temptress, but any spot less than a field goal with the Pats involved is irresistible.