NFL Game Previews: Breaking Down Week 5

Minnesota at Chicago (+3), 40.5 o/u – Monday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Story: The extra day might help Sam Bradford recover from his bruised knee but it won't do anything for Dalvin Cook, who was lost for the year with a torn ACL. Latavius Murray slides in as the Vikings' starting RB, but the team will be leaning heavily on its defense and passing game. The Mitchell Trubisky Era dawns for the Bears, and for his debut the rookie will get to face a Mike Zimmer defense in prime time without any reliable receivers. Lucky him.

The Skinny:
•2017 MIN offense: 19.8 PPG (19th), 108.0 rushing yds/gm (17th), 275.3 passing yds/gm (10th), five sacks allowed (5th), four turnovers (T-8th)
•2017 CHI offense: 15.3 PPG (29th), 117.5 rushing yds/gm (12th), 208.3 passing yds/gm (26th), eight sacks allowed (T-11th), 10 turnovers (T-31st)
•2017 MIN defense: 19.0 PPG allowed (T-8th), 71.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (3rd), 267.8 passing yds/gm allowed (25th), 11 sacks (T-9th), three turnovers (T-23rd)
•2017 CHI defense: 26.0 PPG allowed (27th), 85.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (6th), 234.8 passing yds/gm allowed (15th), nine sacks (T-21st), three turnovers (T-23rd)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 6-4 MIN, average score MIN 22-CHI 19, average margin of victory 10 points. The last two MIN victories have been by 21 and 28 points, however.
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Murray produces 110 yards and a touchdown. Case Keenum starts for the Vikings and throws for 240 yards and a TD to Stefon Diggs. Jordan Howard gets held to 70 yards. Trubisky throws for 270 yards and a touchdown to Dion Sims but also gets picked off twice. Vikings, 23-10

N.Y. Jets at Cleveland (PK), 39.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Do the Jets not actually suck? Is that possible? Well, hang on a minute. Yes, they've won two games, but both were at home – one against a Dolphins team "led" by the checked-out Jay Cutler, and the other against a talented but erratic Jags squad. Statistically, other than take advantage of some weak run defenses, they haven't really done anything to warrant being .500. Of course, the Browns can lose to anybody, any time, anywhere, so seeing Gang Green at 3-2 – and maybe even tied for the AFC East lead coming out of Sunday – wouldn't really surprise anyone.

The Skinny:
•2017 NYJ offense: 18.8 PPG (21st), 130.8 rushing yds/gm (7th), 214.3 passing yds/gm (25th), 12 sacks allowed (T-18th), seven turnovers (T-24th)
•2017 CLE offense: 15.8 PPG (28th), 76.5 rushing yds/gm (27th), 236.8 passing yds/gm (16th), 13 sacks allowed (T-23rd), 10 turnovers (T-31st)
•2017 NYJ defense: 23.0 PPG allowed (T-21st), 143.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (29th), 203.5 passing yds/gm allowed (5th30th), four turnovers (T-17th)
•2017 CLE defense: 26.8 PPG allowed (29th), 87.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (T-8th), 256.3 passing yds/gm allowed (22nd), nine sacks (T-21st), five turnovers (T-14th)
•CLE defense versus opposition tight ends: 30 receptions (32nd), 270 yards (28th), four TDs (T-29th)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, winds less than 10 mph, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Bilal Powell collects 80 combined yards and a TD, while Elijah McGuire adds 60 yards. Josh McCown throws for 220 yards and a touchdown to Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but he also gets picked off twice. Isaiah Crowell breaks out with 100 yards and a score. DeShone Kizer has his best game so far, not committing a turnover while throwing for 260 yards and a TD to Ricardo Louis and running for 50 yards and a second touchdown. Browns, 24-17

Carolina (+2.5) at Detroit, 43.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Cam Newton is starting to look like himself again, and I'm not talking about his big passing day against the inept Patriots defense. He's run for TDs in consecutive games, and if Newton can force the opposition to account for his scrambling again, it opens things for the rest of the offense, including the short passing game the coaching staff has been trying to implement to save wear and tear on his shoulder. The Lions are six inches from 4-0, but it's been their defense leading the way, not Matthew Stafford. If Stafford's 6.4 YPA starts creeping back into the low 7's again, where it's lived the last four seasons, their title pretensions will begin to seem a little more legit.

The Skinny:
•2017 CAR offense: 19.5 PPG (20th), 116.3 rushing yds/gm (13th), 224.8 passing yds/gm (18th), 12 sacks allowed (T-18th), 11 sacks (T-9th), seven turnovers (T-24th)
•2017 DET offense: 24.8 PPG (10th), 97.0 rushing yds/gm (19th), 221.8 passing yds/gm (21st), 12 sacks allowed (T-18th),10 sacks (T-14th), two turnovers (4th)
•2017 CAR defense: 17.5 PPG allowed (T-4th), 87.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (T-8th), 211.3 passing yds/gm allowed (8th), two turnovers (T-28th)
•2017 DET defense: 17.5 PPG allowed (T-4th), 86.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (7th), 255.0 passing yds/gm allowed (21st, 11 turnovers (T-1st)
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: DET, 2nd against WR2s (minus 56.5 percent DVOA); 1st against RBs (minus 70.6 percent DVOA)
•Cam Newton career stats in indoor stadiums, 14 games: 6-8, 60.6 percent completion rate, 213.5 passing yds/gm, 22:12 TD:INT, 6.9 YPA, 86.7 QB rating
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Jonathan Stewart grinds out 70 yards and a TD to lead the Panthers' backfield. Newton throws for 240 yards and a touchdown to Kelvin Benjamin. Ameer Abdullah picks up 70 combined yards. Stafford throws for 280 yards and three TDs to Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and TJ Jones. Lions, 30-17

San Francisco (+1.5) at Indianapolis, 44.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Kyle Shanahan's tenure in San Francisco isn't off to a rousing start, and the 49ers are one of four teams still searching for their first win, but at least the offense perked up in Week 3 and now they get to face an inept Colts defense. Andrew Luck is practicing again, but according to the Indy coaching staff it'll be "a few weeks" before he's ready to play, which in Colts time means, hmm, maybe after their Week 11 bye? In the meantime, Jacoby Brissett will continue being vaguely competent under center. Also, it took three years, but Frank Gore finally gets a revenge game against his former club. Pierre Garcon already had his, though, and blew it – he caught three passes for nine yards in a 2014 loss to the Colts with Washington.

The Skinny:
•2017 SF offense: 16.5 PPG (26th), 104.5 rushing yds/gm (18th), 214.5 passing yds/gm (24th), 13 sacks allowed (T-23rd), six turnovers (T-19th)
•2017 IND offense: 17.8 PPG (25th), 85.3 rushing yds/gm (25th), 202.8 passing yds/gm (29th), 14 sacks allowed (T-26th), seven turnovers (T-24th)
•2017 SF defense: 23.5 PPG allowed (24th), 106.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (15th), 254.5 passing yds/gm allowed (20th), nine sacks (T-21st), five turnovers (T-14th)
•2017 IND defense: 34.0 PPG allowed (32nd), 112.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (22nd), 296.8 passing yds/gm allowed (29th), nine sacks (T-21st), seven turnovers (T-4th)
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: SF, 1st against TEs (minus 94.7 percent DVOA); 29th against WR2s (45.1 percent DVOA); 29th against other WRs (39.1 percent DVOA)
•Key injuries, SF: LB Reuben Foster (ankle, out); S Eric Reid (knee, out)
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Hyde stays on the field and piles up 130 combined yards and two scores, one rushing and one receiving. Brian Hoyer throws for 260 yards and a second TD to Aldrick Robinson. Gore grinds out 70 yards. Brissett throws for 200 yards and a touchdown to Kamar Aiken. 49ers, 24-13

Tennessee at Miami (+3), 43.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Marcus Mariota will be a game-time decision due to his hamstring strain, and the downgrade from the 23-year-old to the fossilized remains of Matt Cassel if Mariota can't suit up is substantial. Cassel has been terrible since 2014, but I guess he knows the offense? Anything I'd have to say about the decision to bring in Brandon Weeden to be Cassel's backup if necessary, I've already said elsewhere. The Titans' defense also can't be as bad as they were last week, but fortunately they get to face Jay Cutler, the Human Bye Week, rather than a QB who might actually challenge them again.

The Skinny:
•2017 TEN offense: 25.0 PPG (9th), 138.8 rushing yds/gm (6th), 203.3 passing yds/gm (28th), four sacks allowed (T-2nd), six turnovers (T-19th)
•2017 MIA offense: 8.3 PPG (32nd), 66.3 rushing yds/gm (30th), 204.7 passing yds/gm (27th), nine sacks allowed (T-14th), three turnovers (T-5th)
•2017 TEN defense: 31.5 PPG allowed (30th), 112.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (21st), 285.3 passing yds/gm allowed (T-27th), seven sacks (29th), four turnovers (T-17th)
•2017 MIA defense: 19.0 PPG allowed (T-8th), 77.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (4th), 282.7 passing yds/gm allowed (26th), four sacks (T-31st), one turnover (32nd)
•TEN without Mariota: 1-4, 238.2 total yards per game average, 13.4 PPG, 2.2 turnovers per game lost
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: DeMarco Murray gets held to 50 combined yards against plenty of eight-man fronts. Cassel starts and throws for less than 200 yards, getting picked off twice. Jay Ajayi runs for 120 yards and a TD. Cutler throws for 240 yards and a touchdown to DeVante Parker. Dolphins, 23-3

Buffalo (+3) at Cincinnati, 39.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Bills beat the Broncos and Falcons in consecutive weeks to take an early lead in the AFC East, and have done it without much of a contribution from LeSean McCoy, who's averaging less than 100 yards from scrimmage a game and is still looking for his first touchdown of the year. Cincinnati has gotten up off the mat, and new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has put the pew-pew-pew back in Andy Dalton's arm. Now if only he could figure out what to do with their backfield.

The Skinny:
•2017 BUF offense: 18.3 PPG (23rd), 112.8 rushing yds/gm (16th), 186.0 passing yds/gm (30th), 12 sacks allowed (T-18th), one turnover (T-2nd)
•2017 CIN offense: 16.0 PPG (27th), 88.8 rushing yds/gm (23rd), 223.0 passing yds/gm (19th), 14 sacks allowed (T-26th), eight turnovers (29th)
•2017 BUF defense: 13.5 PPG allowed (1st), 93.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (13th), 229.0 passing yds/gm allowed (12th), 11 sacks (T-9th), seven turnovers (T-4th)
•2017 CIN defense: 16.8 PPG allowed (3rd), 108.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (17th), 185.5 passing yds/gm allowed (3rd), 12 sacks (T-3rd), three turnovers (T-23rd)
•Dalton career stats versus BUF, four games: 3-1, 59.2 percent completion rate, 271.3 passing yds/gm, 8:5 TD:INT, 7.1 YPA, 85.0 QB rating
•Key injuries, BUF: WR Jordan Matthews (thumb, out); CB E.J. Gaines (groin, questionable); S Micah Hyde (knee, questionable)
•Weather forecast: wind less than 10 mph, 19 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: McCoy again sputters, managing 80 combined yards. Tyrod Taylor throws for 220 yards and a TD to Kaelin Clay. Joe Mixon picks up 50 yards and his first NFL touchdown, while Giovani Bernard adds 70 combined yards. Dalton throws for 250 yards and a score to A.J. Green. Bengals, 20-13

L.A. Chargers (+3) at N.Y. Giants, 44.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Two franchises have been linked ever since the 2004 draft now share another dubious distinction, as both are shocking members of the 0-4 Club. The Chargers have a pass rush, but that seems to be their only unit performing up to expectations so far, while the Giants' defense has been run ragged trying to cover for all of Eli Manning's three-and-outs. Given the NFL's new shortened overtime and how win-averse both these teams have been so far, a tie here would be karmic justice.

The Skinny:
•2017 LAC offense: 18.0 PPG (24th), 67.5 rushing yds/gm (29th), 276.8 passing yds/gm (9th), six sacks allowed (T-6th), five turnovers (T-16th)
•2017 NYG offense: 15.0 PPG (T-30th), 59.3 rushing yds/gm (31st), 278.3 passing yds/gm (6th), eight sacks allowed (T-11th), four turnovers (T-8th)
•2017 LAC defense: 23.3 PPG allowed (23rd), 163.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (31st), 211.5 passing yds/gm allowed (9th), 12 sacks (T-3rd), two turnovers (T-28th)
•2017 NYG defense: 23.8 PPG allowed (25th), 142.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (28th), 224.5 passing yds/gm allowed (11th), eight sacks (28th), two turnovers (T-28th)
•Manning career stats versus LAC, three games: 0-3, 65.1 percent completion rate, 275.3 passing yds/gm, 5:2 TD:INT, 7.8 YPA, 96.7 QB rating
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, 11 mph wind, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Melvin Gordon picks up 80 yards and a TD. Philip Rivers throws for 240 yards and a touchdown to Hunter Henry, but he also gets intercepted twice including a pick-six by Landon Collins. Orleans Darkwa leads the Giants backfield with 60 yards, but Wayne Gallman scores. Manning throws for 260 yards and TDs to Odell Beckham and Evan Engram. Giants, 31-17

Jacksonville (+8.5) at Pittsburgh, 43.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Jaguars commitment to being either great or terrible in any given week is commendable from an entertainment perspective, but it does make predicting their results a headache. Which version of the team will show up Sunday: the one that humiliated the Ravens in London, or the one that forgot to tackle Bilal Powell? If they do the same to Le'Veon Bell, who's shaken off the rust the last couple of weeks, they could be in for a very long day.

The Skinny:
•2017 JAC offense: 27.3 PPG (5th), 148.8 rushing yds/gm (2nd), 183.0 passing yds/gm (31st), three sacks allowed (1st), four turnovers (T-8th)
•2017 PIT offense: 22.5 PPG (18th), 95.0 rushing yds/gm (21st), 239.3 passing yds/gm (15th), seven sacks allowed (T-8th), four turnovers (T-8th)
•2017 JAC defense: 18.5 PPG allowed (T-6th), 165.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (32nd), 174.5 passing yds/gm (1st), 18 sacks (1st), 10 turnovers (3rd)
•2017 PIT defense: 14.8 PPG allowed (2nd), 113.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (23rd), 181.3 passing yds/gm allowed (2nd), 15 sacks (2nd), seven turnovers (T-4th)
•Ben Roethlisberger career stats versus JAC, six games: 4-2, 60.8 percent completion rate, 214.3 passing yds/gm, 10:3 TD:INT, 7.1 YPA, 93.8 QB rating
•Weather forecast: wind less than 10 mph, 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Leonard Fournette gains 90 combined yards and a TD. Blake Bortles throws for 210 yards and a touchdown to Allen Hurns. Bell piles up 140 combined yards and a score. Roethlisberger throws for 250 yards and a TD to Martavis Bryant. Steelers, 20-17

Arizona (+6.5) at Philadelphia, 45.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Without a viable running game to support him Carson Palmer is second in the NFL in passing yards, having thrown for 325 yards or more in three straight games, but all those dropbacks behind a weak offensive line are getting him killed. He's on pace to be sacked a mind-boggling 68 times, which would tie him with the tragic David Carr for third most in league history. In case you've forgotten, Palmer is 37-years old. The Eagles are having their own backfield issues, as Wendell Smallwood is the latest RB to get banged up, but at least they still have LeGarrette Blount.

The Skinny:
•2017 ARI offense: 18.5 PPG (22nd), 57.0 rushing yds/gm (32nd), 320.5 passing yds/gm (2nd), 17 sacks allowed (T-31st), six turnovers (T-19th)
•2017 PHI offense: 25.8 PPG (7th), 143.0 rushing yds/gm (T-3rd), 264.5 passing yds/gm (12th), 12 sacks allowed (T-18th), five turnovers (T-16th)
•2017 ARI defense: 22.8 PPG allowed (20th), 88.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (10th), 231.3 passing yds/gm allowed (13th), nine sacks (T-21st), three turnovers (T-23rd)
•2017 PHI defense: 23.0 PPG allowed (T-21st), 70.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (2nd), 301.0 passing yds/gm allowed (30th), 10 sacks (T-14th), seven turnovers (T-4th)
•Key injuries, ARI: WR John Brown (quad, questionable); WR J.J. Nelson (hamstring, questionable)
•Key injuries, PHI: DT Fletcher Cox (calf, out); RB Wendell Smallwood (knee, questionable); CB Ronald Darby (ankle, out)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, 13 mph wind, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Andre Ellington leads the Cards backfield with 70 combined yards and a receiving TD. Palmer throws for 250 yards and a second touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald but gets sacked five times. Blount rumbles for 60 yards and a score. Carson Wentz throws for 270 yards and TDs to Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz. Eagles, 30-17

Seattle (+1) at L.A. Rams, 46.5 o/u – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Story: The weird thing about the Rams' strong start is that the offense is carrying them, not Wade Phillips' defense. Phillips' reputation as a defensive guru might be a little overblown, but one thing his units typically do well is rush the passer, and L.A. has been no exception – and that's without Aaron Donald doing much. Russell Wilson has been brought down three times in three of four games, which doesn't bode well for his chances of seeing many clean pockets Sunday.

The Skinny:
•2017 SEA offense: 23.5 PPG (T-13th), 121.0 rushing yds/gm (11th), 256.0 passing yds/gm (13th), 10 sacks allowed (17th), three turnovers (T-5th)
•2017 LAR offense: 35.5 PPG (1st), 113.5 rushing yds/gm (15th), 278.0 passing yds/gm (7th), four sacks allowed (T-2nd), five turnovers (T-16th)
•2017 SEA defense: 19.3 PPG allowed (T-10th), 134.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (27th), 198.0 passing yds/gm allowed (4th), nine sacks (T-21st), four turnovers (T-17th)
•2017 LAR defense: 26.3 PPG allowed (28th), 151.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (30th), 235.5 passing yds/gm allowed (16th), 12 sacks (T-3rd), seven turnovers (T-4th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 5-5, average score SEA 20-LAR 15, average margin of victory nine points
•Russell Wilson career stats versus LAR, 10 games: 5-5, 67.5 percent completion rate, 229.6 passing yds/gm, 12:7 TD:INT, 7.9 YPA, 95.2 QB rating. Also 39 sacks, the most any team has brought him down (SF is second with 31 sacks in 11 games).
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Thomas Rawls leads the Hawks' backfield with 60 yards. Wilson throws for 270 yards and a touchdown to Jimmy Graham, but gets sacked four times. Todd Gurley falls back to earth with 80 combined yards, but scores. Jared Goff throws for 230 yards and a TD to Sammy Watkins. Rams, 17-13

Baltimore (+2.5) at Oakland, 39.0 o/u – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Ravens haven't shown up for consecutive games now, but their two earlier wins came against teams that were (at the time) lost without a map, and they might luck into another hapless opponent Sunday with Derek Carr likely out due to back trouble. That said, EJ Manuel looked bad against the Broncos, but that was the Broncos, and Baltimore's secondary is also a little beat up. In addition, it's hard to ignore the Ravens' travel schedule: London to Baltimore to Oakland in successive weeks. The NFL should re-schedule next week's home game against the Bears for Honolulu, just so they don't have to backtrack. Then they can take on the Vikings in Beijing ...

The Skinny:
•2017 BAL offense: 15.0 PPG (T-30th), 127.3 rushing yds/gm (9th), 159.3 passing yds/gm (32nd), nine sacks allowed (T-14th), nine turnovers (T-30th)
•2017 OAK offense: 22.8 PPG (T-16th), 86.3 rushing yds/gm (24th), 214.8 passing yds/gm (23rd), nine sacks allowed (T-14th), four turnovers (T-8th)
•2017 BAL defense: 20.0 PPG allowed (14th), 127.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (25th), 232.5 passing yds/gm allowed (14th), nine sacks (T-21st), 11 turnovers (T-1st)
•2017 OAK defense: 19.8 PPG allowed (13th), 120.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (24th), 241.5 passing yds/gm allowed (18th), 10 sacks (T-14th), four turnovers (T-17th)
•Joe Flacco career stats versus OAK, five games: 3-2, 62.4 percent completion rate, 253.0 passing yds/gm, 7:2 TD:INT, 7.3 YPA, 93.2 QB rating
•Weather forecast: clear, winds less than 10 mph, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Alex Collins snags 70 yards and a TD, while Javorius Allen adds 60 combined yards and a receiving score. Flacco throws for 260 yards and a second touchdown to Mike Wallace buts gets picked off twice yet again. Marshawn Lynch bashes out 60 yards and a score. Manuel starts and throws for less than 200 yards, but he does run in a TD, minimizes his mistakes, and puts Giorgio Tavecchio in position for a game-winning field goal . Raiders, 23-21

Green Bay (+2) at Dallas, 52.5 o/u – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: A rematch of last year's NFC divisional playoff game, won by the Packers on a typically absurd display by Aaron Rodgers, both teams come in with issues on their offensive line. None of Green Bay's tackles can seem to stay healthy, and while Rodgers' mobility has helped keep the offense afloat, the chaos caused by those revolving doors on the outside has impacted both how many times the QB has brought down as well as the running game. For the Cowboys, Tyron Smith is playing through back trouble, and the O-line as a whole hasn't met their usual high standards so far. Without consistent yardage from Ezekiel Elliott to keep their very inexperienced secondary fresh, if not off the field entirely, they seem like sitting ducks for Rodgers.

The Skinny:
•2017 GB offense: 25.5 PPG (8th), 74.5 rushing yds/gm (28th), 286.5 passing yds/gm (4th), 15 sacks allowed (28th), four turnovers (T-8th)
•2017 DAL offense: 23.5 PPG (T-13th), 114.3 rushing yds/gm (14th), 235.3 passing yds/gm (17th), six sacks allowed (T-6th), four turnovers (T-8th)
•2017 GB defense: 20.3 PPG allowed (15th), 111.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (19th), 210.0 passing yds/gm allowed (6th), 10 sacks (T-14th), six turnovers (T-11th)
•2017 DAL defense: 24.3 PPG allowed (26th), 107.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (16th), 257.8 passing yds/gm allowed (23rd), 12 sacks (T-3rd), three turnovers (T-23rd)
•Rodgers career stats versus DAL, six games: 3-3, 68.4 percent completion rate, 246.8 passing yds/gm, 8:1 TD:INT, 7.0 YPA, 98.8 QB rating
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Aaron Jones leads the Packers backfield with 90 combined yards, but Jamaal Williams vultures a short TD. Rodgers throws for 280 yards and three touchdowns, hitting Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Martellus Bennett once each. Elliott piles up 110 combined yards and a score. Dak Prescott throws for 250 yards and two TDs to Dez Bryant. Packers, 34-30

Kansas City at Houston (+1), 46.0 o/u – Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Story: The league's last undefeated team has had just about everything go right for them. Kareem Hunt's emergence has more than covered their one key injury on offense and they've faced defenses that couldn't handle their skill players, so their own defensive shortcomings haven't been an issue. The Texans seem to have found their identity again with Deshuan Watson under center, though, and while last week's thumping of the Titans jumps off the page, the fact that they've given up 14 points or less to two of their last three opponents (with the third being Tom Brady and the Pats) is the true reason for optimism in Houston. That they've been that stingy without any splashy plays from J.J. Watt should make their future opponents very nervous.

The Skinny:
•2017 KC offense: 30.5 PPG (3rd), 163.5 rushing yds/gm (1st), 266.8 passing yds/gm (11th), 16 sacks allowed (T-29th), one turnover (T-2nd)
•2017 HOU offense: 27.5 PPG (4th), 139.8 rushing yds/gm (5th), 218.3 passing yds/gm (22nd), 17 sacks allowed (T-31st), seven turnovers (T-24th)
•2017 KC defense: 19.3 PPG allowed (T-10th), 111.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (20th), 264.3 passing yds/gm allowed (24th), 11 sacks (T-9th), six turnovers (T-11th)
•2017 HOU defense: 22.0 PPG allowed (17th), 95.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (14th), 211.0 passing yds/gm allowed (7th), 10 sacks (T-14th), seven turnovers (T-4th)
•Alex Smith career stats in domed stadiums, 13 games: 7-6, 61.9 percent completion rate, 169.5 passing yds/gm, 8:12 TD:INT, 6.5 YPA, 73.7 QB rating
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Kareem Hunt is held to 80 yards. Smith throws for 210 yards and a TD to Albert Wilson. Lamar Miller picks up 70 yards and a touchdown. Watson throws for 250 yards and a TD to DeAndre Hopkins while running for 40 yards and another score. Texans, 24-10

New England at Tampa Bay (+5.5), 54.5 o/u – Thursday, 8:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: Remember back in the season opener, when the Pats' defense looked awful in a surprising loss and the doom-and-gloomers started predicting the end of the Brady/Belichick Era, and we all laughed and laughed? Yeah. Now they have the same record as the Jets. That porous defense isn't yet writing checks every week that Tom Brady's arm can't cash, but they certainly aren't making things easy for the future Hall of Famer. As for the Bucs, they're staying afloat in a suddenly dangerous NFC South that doesn't feature a team below .500, or with a negative point differential, through the early going. Jameis Winston appears to be taking the big step forward expected of him in the offseason, and the team now gets back Doug Martin to improve its running game.

The Skinny:
•2017 NE offense: 32.3 PPG (2nd), 95.5 rushing yds/gm (20th), 349.8 passing yds/gm (1st), 13 sacks allowed (T-23rd), one turnover (T-2nd)
•2017 TB offense: 23.7 PPG (12th), 84.7 rushing yds/gm (26th), 288.0 passing yds/gm (3rd), five sacks allowed (T-5th), four turnovers (T-8th)
•2017 NE defense: 32.0 PPG allowed (31st), 132.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (26th), 335.3 passing yds/gm allowed (32nd), eight sacks (T-27th), five turnovers (T-13th)
•2017 TB defense: 21.3 PPG allowed (16th), 78.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (5th), 319.3 passing yds/gm allowed (31st), one sack (32nd), four turnovers (T-16th)
•Key injuries, NE: TE Rob Gronkowski (thigh, questionable); RB Rex Burkhead (knee/ribs, out); LB Dont'a Hightower (knee, questionable); CB Stephon Gilmore (ankle, question able); LB Elandon Roberts (ankle, questionable)
•Key injuries, TB: LB Lavonte David (ankle, doubtful); LB Kwon Alexander (hamstring, out); S T.J. Ward (hip, doubtful); S Keith Tandy (hip, doubtful)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, 15 mph wind, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: James White piles up 90 combined yards and a receiving score. Brady throws for 320 yards and two more TDs to Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola, while Chris Hogan tops 100 yards. Martin makes a quick impact, gaining 60 combined yards and a touchdown, while Jacquizz Rodgers also adds 60 yards. Winston throws for 340 yards and three TDs, two to Mike Evans (who hauls in 120 yards) and one to O.J. Howard. Buccaneers, 34-30

Last week's record: 6-10, 5-11 ATS, 7-9 o/u
2017 regular-season record: 36-27, 26-36-1 ATS, 28-33-2 o/u
2016 regular-season record: 155-99-2, 110-136-10 ATS, 139-112-5 o/u
2015 regular-season record: 157-99, 137-111-8 ATS