GAME OF THE WEEK

Chiefs (6-2) at Cowboys (4-3), 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

Outlook: The betting line was trending toward Dallas even before Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension was delayed again Friday. The Chiefs will be a bear of a challenge for the Dallas defense to stop, led by Alex Smith, Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt, but Dak Prescott has ample threats, too. It should be a fun, high-octane game between two quality teams.

Spread: Cowboys -1

Prediction: Cowboys, 34-31

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Rams (5-2) at Giants (1-6), 1 p.m. (FOX)

Outlook: Los Angeles continues to sail along as one of the season’s pleasant surprises, with the second-best points differential in the NFL, and with quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley coming of age in impressive synchronicity. Meanwhile the Giants are beset by injuries and a sputtering offense as Coach Ben McAdoo struggles to keep his fraying team from a mutiny. There is no logical rationale to imagine the Giants winning. There’s just this raw hunch.

Spread: Rams -31/2.

Prediction: Giants, 21-19

OTHER GAMES

• At Miami (4-3, +3) over Raiders (3-5), 24-20: Derek Carr has been far from great, and only four teams have given up more points than the Raiders, so there should be opportunities as Jay Cutler returns at QB after a one-game injury absence and gets top target DeVante Parker back, too.

• At Titans (4-3, -31/2) over Ravens (4-4), 23-20: The Ravens are not nearly as good as Miami made them look last Thursday, but good enough to keep this inside the bet line.

• At Saints (5-2, -7) over Buccaneers (2-5), 30-17: The Saints have won five straight with what you don’t expect from New Orleans: A ground game for balance on offense, and pretty good defense.

• At Eagles (7-1, -71/2) over Broncos (3-4), 24-13: Brock Osweiler starts at QB for struggling Trevor Siemian but brings no quick fix as a lack of offense continues to bedevil Denver. Meanwhile the Eagles got stronger by stealing running back Jay Ajayi from the Dolphins.

• At Panthers (5-3, Even) over Falcons (4-3), 20-17: The last two teams to lose a Super Bowl meet in a pick-’em duel of NFC South contenders. The Falcons have won three straight in the series but I like Carolina on defensive edge and venue.

• At Jaguars (4-3, -51/2) over Bengals (3-4), 21-14: RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) should be back and the Jags helped their run defense by trading for Marcell Dareus.

• At Texans (3-4, -13) over Colts (2-6), 31-17: Houston celebrates the Astros’ World Series title but the Texans are full of tumult, from owner Bob McNair likening players to inmates, to Coach Bill O’Brien’s play-calling, to trading away left tackle Duane Brown, and now to the season-ending injury to rising-star QB Deshaun Watson. On the bright side, Indianapolis stinks.

• At 49ers (0-8, +21/2) over Cardinals (3-4), 19-17: The Niners get off the winless schneid. C.J. Beathard starts again at QB for San Francisco, but whether newly acquired Jimmy Garoppolo sees action adds a layer of intrigue to an otherwise low-watt game.

• At Seahawks (5-2, -71/2) over Washington (3-4), 24-20: Can Eddie Lacy jump-start Seattle’s ground game? Washington is banged up, especially on the offensive line, but it still could keep it close.

• At Packers (4-3, +2) over Lions (3-4), 23-20: What’s the over/under on sideline shots and mentions of injured Aaron Rodgers on Monday night? I say 9.5 and will take the over, thanks. The Lions are road favorites at Lambeau because the dropoff from Rodgers to Brett Hundley has been as seismic as you’d expect. But the Packers will find a way with a big effort on defense.

Week 8 byes: Bears, Browns, Chargers, Patriots, Steelers, Vikings.

Last week: 9-4 overall, 5-8 vs. spread.

Season: 66-53, 46-65-8

– By Greg Cote, Miami Herald

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