Nobody in the NFL runs the ball as well as the Kansas City Chiefs. No one is worse against the run than the Buffalo Bills.
Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles need to curb their enthusiasm until Sunday arrives, when the Chiefs’ dynamic backfield duo might rush for 300 yards against the league’s only winless team.
Kansas City is a 9-point favorite to maintain or stretch its lead in the AFC West. Coming off consecutive 200-yard rushing outputs, it’s difficult to picture quarterback Matt Cassel doing much of anything but handing off to Jones and Charles.
“This is the kind of team we set out to become, a team that could run the ball,” left guard Brian Waters said. “We clearly feel like that’s our strength and something we have to do to be successful. We think we’ve got a good enough group to put up good numbers every week if guys execute and do what they’re supposed to do.”
Because the Bills’ defense rarely does what it is supposed to against the run – Buffalo is yielding 174 yards a game on the ground – getting off the schneid is highly unlikely in this one.
CHIEFS, 24-14
Minnesota (plus 4) at New England
Yes, Brett Favre will start. No, his streak will end. Maybe, he will retire soon.
No matter, Patriots in a rout.
BEST BET: PATRIOTS 30-10
Seattle (plus 1 1/2) at Oakland
They are invoking the names of Kenny Stabler, Marcus Allen and Tim Brown in Oakland after that showing in Denver. We’re not getting carried away.
UPSET SPECIAL: SEAHAWKS, 21-20
Pittsburgh (pick-em) at New Orleans
Stealers, uh, Steelers lucked out thanks to a strange officiating call in Miami, but everything they do best makes this a tough matchup for New Orleans. Saints were manhandled at home by Cleveland. Cleveland?
STEELERS, 21-20
Washington (plus 1) at Detroit
Getting QB Matthew Stafford back is a must with Shaun Hill gone. Detroit is tougher at home than in previous years.
LIONS, 17-13
Houston (plus 6) at Indianapolis, Monday night
The Colts are banged up even though they come off a bye. You get the feeling Peyton Manning will find ways to make up for that – and his receivers – with regularity against a so-so defense.
COLTS, 30-23
Green Bay (plus 4 1/2) at N.Y. Jets
On the formula that the AFC, especially its top teams, is superior to the NFC. Packers still make too many mistakes.
JETS, 24-20
Carolina (plus 3) at St. Louis
Panthers sure looked happy with that first win last Sunday. The Rams should have had their fourth victory. They’ll get it this Sunday.
RAMS, 21-10
Miami (plus 1) at Cincinnati
Dolphins are undefeated on the road, winless at home. Maybe TOchocinco can figure out that one on their reality show.
DOLPHINS, 19-17
Tampa Bay (plus 3 1/2) at Arizona
Bucs have been very impressive, especially late in close games. Cardinals are 3-3 even though they’ve been outscored by 62 points. A win here stamps Tampa Bay as a contender.
CARDINALS, 20-17
San Francisco (pick-em) vs. Denver at London
We would have picked another game for the international showcase. NFL probably wishes it did, too.
BRONCOS, 27-14
Tennessee (plus 3 1/2) at San Diego
Sometime, somehow, the Chargers will wake up and play like a contender. Not this week.
TITANS, 23-19
Jacksonville (plus 7) at Dallas
Sometime, somehow, the Cowboys will wake up and play like a contender. That might be when Tony Romo returns. At least they match up decently here.
COWBOYS, 20-14
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RECORD:
Versus spread, 4-6-1 (overall 52-44-1); Straight up, 10-4 (overall 67-37)
Best Bet: 3-4 against spread, 5-2 straight up.
Upset Special: 6-1 against spread, 6-1 straight up.