Bummed to lay the hook along with the field goal, but most signs are trending for Kansas City. Coach Andy Reid is a master off the bye week, having gone 22-4 SU after a break. Denver will miss two mega-performers, CB Patrick Surtain and RB J.K. Dobbins, among three scratched starters. While Surtain is peerless in pass coverage, Dobbins' absence means a Broncos offense that has contributed minimally to recent wins will be further impaired. For K.C., WR Xavier Worthy practiced Friday, suggesting he will suit up. The Chiefs don't need a pile of points here, and QB Patrick Mahomes should deliver enough with Worthy at his disposable. The other idled Broco by injury? LB Alex Singleton, merely the unit's leading tackler.

San Fran's injury-plagued defense, which was torched last Sunday by the Rams, gets a reprieve of sorts with a major injury development for 'Zona. Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals' top WR (and No. 2 on the team in receptions) is out after an appendicitis. The Cards previously lost WR Zay Jones for the season, so backup QB Jacoby Brissett must rely on lesser lights. The Niners, showing resilience, bounced back this season from their three previous defeats with SU wins. Most sportsbooks were posting a line of three on Wednesday, and the lower half-point could make a difference.

The Packers, mired in a slump, were dealt potentially uplifting news Wednesday. The Giants intend to start Jameis Winston at QB. Not that the veteran might be worse than his fellow vet, the fading Russell Wilson. But he has not taken a snap this season, and his career record as a starter is 36-51. Green Bay cannot lean on its stuck-in-neutral offense for a cover, but the fifth-ranked defense going against a rusty QB (and an interim coach) should suffice.

The Bears ought to play the no-respect card, getting a field goal aganst an average foe despite their 6-1 SU streak. Since the bye in Week 5, their offense ranks among the most efficient. The ground game has proved especially kick-butt, which bodes well against the Vikes’ subpar rush defense. The greater concern for Minnesota is QB J.J. McCarthy, who has been throwing wildly in part because of a sore right hand that led to limited practice this week. His completion rate is near rock-bottom in the league.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert keeps takng a licking -- and keeps on ticking. He has been victimized by 11 sacks the past two weeks and absorbed nine hits last Sunday alone. Yet L.A. extended its SU win streak to three with the league's largest points differential during the run. Jacksonville's lone outright win the past month was a one-pointer over lowly Las Vegas, with the slump mostly attributed to shoddy defense. The offense's outlook has grown dim this week with several players ruled out because of injuries -- two of them TEs. In fact, the injury report overflows with 15 names. For Herbert, the toll from hitting the turf might eventually become too much. Until then, ride with him against a struggling foe.

The precipitation might subside by kickoff, but the wind gusts are expected to remain throughout this matchup. Tampa Bay's offense continues to endure the absence of injured RB Bucky Irving, along with ailing WRs. Buffalo has scratched TE Dalton Kincaid, its third leading receiver. Both squads are above average in points allowed -- 11th for the Bills, 15th for the Bucs. Tampa Bay had recent games with 33 and 36 points. Given the conditions and missing pieces, another is possible.

The Dolphins indicated they have not raised a white flag by steamrolling Buffalo last Sunday. The Commanders have stumbled outright in five straight, and QB Jaylen Daniels fronts a long line of absent players with injuries. Head coach Dan Quinn decided this week to double as defensive play-caller. Good luck with that. Starting CBs Trey Amos and Marshon Lattimore are rehabbing, while DT Daron Payne is suspended. Quinn, a defensive guy, is unlikely to make chicken salad out of a beat-up unit that is shaky when fully staffed. Count on Miami playmakers Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane to bust some big gains and turn the scene in Madrid into a Fins fiesta.

Never mind San Diego's stalwart defense, ranked first in the MWC. Forget the projected rain. Any game involving Boise State does not warrant such a low total. The Broncos have eclipsed 50 points by themselves twice and reached the 40s three times. They operate fast, with the 16th most average snaps per game. San Diego State is no offensive slouch, ranked mid-rank in the league for scoring. The Aztecs landed in the 40s on consecutive weeks in midseason. The defenses and the weather are unlikely to conspire to deliver a score this low.

UCLA's chances to maintain competitiveness likely dropped from ultra-slim to none with QB Nico Iamaleava (concussion) sidelined. Backup Luke Duncan, to say the least, lacks experience. His total passes attempted: zero. Ohio State does not play araound in ATS terms. The Buckeyes are 7-1-1 against the spread, while the only miss was a 24-point triumph that fell short by 4.5. The Bruins traveled east reently to meet the Buckeyes' powerhouse twin, Indiana. The result -- a 56-6 burial -- offers no promise to this matchup.

A seven-point setback to Minnesota. A three-point defeat to Rutgers. A five-pointer to Michigan. Purdue has come mghty close to a Big Ten victory but cannot close the deal. This game seems unlikely to erase the zero in the Boilermakers' league standings against a formidable team at home, but Washington copes with a slew of injuries. Main WR Denzel Boston and two O-linemen likely will sit out. Plus primary TB Jonah Coleman is ailing and could be on a snap count. If the standard Pacific Northwest rain falls a bit harder that predicted, scoring might be limited, which aids the underdog.

Two stout defenses collide. One is missing is headliner. Oklahoma DE R Mason Thomas, a sackmeister and fumble instigator, appears out. Also, CB Gentry Williams is doubtful. Not that rising Alabama QB Ty Simpson needs much help, but his task grows easier against the SEC's top-rated D. If the Sooners' defense has a weakness, it's yielding big pass gains. Simpson can strike, and scattered chunk plays can make the difference in a projected slugfest.

Kentucky probably had no clue it was schedulng an FCS powerhouse when setting up this date. Tennessee Tech (10-0 SU) is a threat to claim the lower divison title. The Golden Eagles average 43 ppg and yield just 17. All but one win was a breeze, by double digits. The Wildcats are prone to a trap here, with a significant win last week against Florida and upcoming gigs with upstart playoff canddate Vanderbult and nasty rival Louisville. Under coach Bob Stoops, the Wildcats have survived some scares from the FCS ranks, such as an overtime win over Eastern Kentucky in 2015 and a five-point victory over Chattanooga in '21.

The pesky hook simply won't disappear, so the 7.5 is laid wth some reluctance. Still, UConn has been under the proverbial radar all season, with its three straight-up defeats happening in overtime. They score in bunches, with a 37-ppg average that rises to 43 at home. QB Joe Fagnano owns the nation's most impressive passing stat -- zero interceptions all season. He may be getting reacquainted with RB Mel Brown, who could return after an injury absence dating to the Huskies' third game. The Falcons must adjust to what amounts to a mid-morning kickoff for them after a cross-country commute.

Tough assignment for Arizona, 1-2 SU on the road and kicking off at 10 a.m. in its time zone. Cincy's Brendan Sorsby is a dual theat QB, and the Wlldcats have been shaky against run-minded signal-callers. The Bearcats have been underappreciated all season and, with a Big 12 title within reach, should be driven to take down the visitors from the desert.

Unloading a couple of key players did not hurt the Jets last week. They recorded their second consecutive SU win. New England is rolling big-time but its margins of victory the past two outings were one and five points. New York has ratcheted up its ground game, with Breece Hall accumulating 39 carries in those two Ws. More of the same could keep the clock running and limit the Pats' snaps. A division rivalry rarely carries this large of a line. The number opened at 10, then shot up -- too much, in our book.