NFL Game Previews: Breaking Down Week 8

Denver (+7) at Kansas City, 43.0 o/u – Monday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Story: It's not quite the irresistible force and the immovable object, but Kareem Hunt takes aim this week at the only defense in the league that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown. Denver remains stout on that side of the ball, but its offense has collapsed – the Broncos haven't scored more than 16 points in a game since Week 2, and coach Vance Joseph has been forced to give Trevor Siemian the old vote of confidence. The Broncos can't afford to lose this game if they want to stay in the hunt for the AFC West title, but the Chiefs will hardly be complacent after losing two straight, including last week's heartbreaker against the Raiders. Something's got to give, and it could well be Siemian's job.

The Skinny:
•2017 DEN offense: 18.0 PPG (24th), 114.5 rushing yds/gm (15th), 248.2 passing yds/gm (13th, 22 sacks allowed (T-25th), 12 turnovers (T-25th)
•2017 KC offense: 29.6 PPG (2nd), 129.0 rushing yds/gm (5th), 282.7 passing yds/gm (4th), 21 sacks allowed (T-23rd), one turnover (1st)
•2017 DEN defense: 19.7 PPG allowed (9th), 71.8 rushing yds/gm allowed (2nd), 200.5 passing yds/gm allowed (5th), 16 sacks (T-13th), four turnovers (T-29th)
•2017 KC defense: 23.0 PPG allowed (T-19th), 124.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (25th), 283.9 passing yds/gm allowed (28th), 15 sacks (T-15th), eight turnovers (T-19th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 7-3 DEN, but KC has won three straight after snapping a seven-game losing streak. Average score DEN 25-KC 21, average margin of victory 13 points
•Key injuries, DEN: WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle, questionable), DE Derek Wolfe (hand/foot, questionable)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Jamaal Charles has a revenge game, leading the Broncos backfield with 80 yards and a touchdown. Siemian throws for 260 yards and a TD to Demaryius Thomas, but he gets picked off twice. Hunt doesn't slow down, collecting 110 combined yards and a score. Alex Smith throws for 230 yards and TDs to Travis Kelce and Demarcus Robinson. Tyreek Hill also returns a punt to the house. Chiefs, 31-17

Minnesota vs. Cleveland (+9.5) at London, 38.0 o/u – Sunday, 9:30 a.m. EDT

The Story: If ever a game set up to be a shutout, it's this one. A ragged (to put it politely) Browns squad that's been playing musical chairs at QB and leads the league in coughing up the ball, five time zones away from home, facing a tough Vikings defense that has only allowed 20 points in a game once this season? That's got beatdown written all over it. Of course, Minnesota's offense isn't exactly high octane either, even if it does get Stefon Diggs back from his groin injury, but Cleveland made Jacoby Brissett look dangerous, so Case Keenum should be just fine.

The Skinny:
•2017 MIN offense: 20.9 PPG (18th), 124.6 rushing yds/gm (T-8th), 243.4 passing yds/gm (T-15th), nine sacks allowed (3rd), seven turnovers (T-6th)
•2017 CLE offense: 14.7 PPG (32nd), 92.3 rushing yds/gm (25th), 229.0 passing yds/gm (22nd), 20 sacks allowed (22nd), 19 turnovers (32nd)
•2017 MIN defense: 17.0 PPG allowed (5th), 76.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (3rd), 228.3 passing yds/gm allowed (12th), 21 sacks (T-6th), eight turnovers (T-19th)
•2017 CLE defense: 24.1 PPG allowed (24th), 83.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (6th), 235.3 passing yds/gm allowed (14th), 15 sacks (T-15th), eight turnovers (T-19th)
•Key injuries, CLE: DE Myles Garrett (concussion, out); LB Jamie Collins (shoulder, questionable); CB Jason McCourty (ankle, questionable); S Jabrill Peppers (toe, questionable)
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: CLE, 32nd against WR1s (54.5 percent DVOA), 1st against WR2s (minus 60.9 percent DVOA), 29th against other WRs (32.5 percent DVOA), 30th against TEs (28.7 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, 11 mph wind, 25 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Latavius Murray bangs out 60 yards and a TD, while Jerick McKinnon adds 50 combined yards. Keenum throws for 220 yards and a touchdown to Diggs. Isaiah Crowell slogs ahead for 50 yards. DeShone Kizer has his usual struggles, throwing for less than 200 yards and two INTs, including a pick-six by Anthony Barr. Vikings, 24-3

Atlanta at N.Y. Jets (+4.5), 46.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Looking at some of my preseason thoughts on the upcoming season, it's funny how I keep overestimating Atlanta's performance when I was one of the few people I can remember seeing express any skepticism at all about Steve Sarkisian as their offensive coordinator. Even I didn't think an offense that boasts Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, Matt Ryan, etc. would struggle this much, though. Nonetheless, here they are at 3-3 and only staying relevant in the NFC South because no one else is pulling away with the division. Last week's inability to exploit the Pats' defense has to be the nadir, though, right? (Right?) As for the Jets, if they win Sunday, every team in the AFC East will be .500 or better halfway through the season, which might be the most 2017 thing of all. Their wins might have more to do with their opponents shooting themselves in the foot than anything they're doing right, but a win's a win, and the Falcons are already running out of toes.

The Skinny:
•2017 ATL offense: 21.3 PPG (16th), 120.5 rushing yds/gm (11th), 265.0 passing yds/gm (7th), 11 sacks allowed (T-8th), seven turnovers (T-6th)
•2017 NYJ offense: 19.6 PPG (T-20th), 103.3 rushing yds/gm (19th), 230.6 passing yds/gm (20th), 22 sacks allowed (T-25th), 13 turnovers (T-28th)
•2017 ATL defense: 22.0 PPG allowed (15th), 112.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (16th), 233.7 passing yds/gm allowed (13th), 14 sacks (T-20th), three turnovers (32nd)
•2017 NYJ defense: 23.0 PPG allowed (T-19th), 126.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (28th), 239.7 passing yds/gm allowed (16th), 10 sacks (31st), 11 turnovers (8th)
•Matt Forte career stats versus ATL, four games: 61.8 rushing yds/gm, 3.6 YPC, three rushing TDs, 25 catches on 29 targets for 238 yds and a touchdown
•Weather forecast: 13 mph wind, 77 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Freeman puts together 90 combined yards and a receiving score. Ryan throws for 220 yards and a second TD to Julio. Forte leads the Jets' backfield with 70 combined yards. Josh McCown throws for 250 yards and a touchdown to Robby Anderson but gets picked off three times and sacked four times by an angry Atlanta defense. Falcons, 23-10

Carolina (+2) at Tampa Bay, 46.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Remember way back in Week 5, when it looked like Cam Newton was finally himself again? Consecutive 300-yard, three-TD performances in Carolina wins have given way to a 5.2 YPA and 1:5 TD:INT over his last two starts, which not coincidentally were both Panthers losses. Cue those MVP chants. The funny thing is, he is scrambling again (121 rushing yards and a TD in the two losses), but when you're averaging more yards per rush than per pass attempt, something is definitely amiss. The Bucs also have a QB with a wounded wing, but given the numbers Jameis Winston put up in Buffalo last week (and what Ryan Fitzpatrick did in relief the week before in Arizona), it doesn't seem to be anything you could call an issue.

The Skinny:
•2017 CAR offense: 18.7 PPG (22nd), 97.3 rushing yds/gm (T-21st), 243.4 passing yds/gm (T-15th), 22 sacks allowed (T-25th), 13 turnovers (T-28th)
•2017 TB offense: 24.2 PPG (10th), 80.5 rushing yds/gm (30th), 322.2 passing yds/gm (1st), 10 sacks allowed (T-4th), nine turnovers (T-16th)
•2017 CAR defense: 19.9 PPG allowed (11th), 81.1 rushing yds/gm allowed (4th), 200.4 passing yds/gm allowed (4th), 24 sacks (T-2nd), four turnovers (T-29th)
•2017 TB defense: 25.2 PPG allowed (29th), 113.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (T-17th), 302.0 passing yds/gm allowed (30th), seven sacks (32nd), nine turnovers (T-15th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 6-4 CAR, average score CAR 23-TB 16, average margin of victory 11 points
•Cam Newton career stats versus TB, nine games: 6-3, 63.9 percent completion rate, 229.8 passing yds/gm, 15:7 TD:INT, 8.6 YPA, 99.7 QB rating, 38.7 rushing yds/gm, 4.8 YPC, eight rushing TDs
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, 19 mph wind, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Christian McCaffrey reels off 110 combined yards and two scores, including his first rushing TD. Newton throws for 320 yards and a second score to Kelvin Benjamin while running for 50 yards and a touchdown of his own. Doug Martin scrapes together 60 yards. Winston throws for 260 yards and TDs to Mike Evans and Cameron Brate, but he also gets picked off twice. Panthers, 31-17

San Francisco (+13) at Philadelphia, 46.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Niners' luck finally ran out last week. After a string of narrow losses they got their bee-hinds paddled by the Cowboys, and now have to face an Eagles squad that has a legit claim to being the gold standard in the NFC. Philly's secondary might be their weakest unit (I won't say it's their Achilles heel until someone actually exploits it to beat them), but C.J. Beathard probably isn't the guy to take advantage. He's playing for a job in 2018, but let's be honest, that job is to be the backup to whoever they select at the top of the first round in the 2018 draft, and maybe fill-in starter for a few weeks if the new kid needs some additional grooming.

The Skinny:
•2017 SF offense: 17.6 PPG (25th), 96.0 rushing yds/gm (23rd), 246.4 passing yds/gm (14th), 23 sacks allowed (T-28th), 10 turnovers (T-20th)
•2017 PHI offense: 28.4 PPG (5th), 131.7 rushing yds/gm (4th), 264.6 passing yds/gm (8th), 19 sacks allowed (T-19th), eight turnovers (T-12th)
•2017 SF defense: 26.6 PPG allowed (30th), 134.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (29th), 271.1 passing yds/gm allowed (26th), 14 sacks (T-20th), eight turnovers (T-19th)
•2017 PHI defense: 20.9 PPG allowed (12th), 67.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (1st), 291.0 passing yds/gm allowed (29th), 18 sacks (T-9th), 12 turnovers (T-6th)
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: PHI, fifth against WR2s (minus 29.9 percent DVOA); SF, 28th against WR1s (25.6 percent DVOA), 26th against WR2s (27.4 percent DVOA), 28th against others WRs (27.8 percent DVOA), first against TEs (minus 44.0 percent DVOA), 31st against RBs (42.9 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: 10 mph wind, 80 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Carlos Hyde ekes out 50 yards. Beathard lives up to his name and gets sacked five times while throwing for less than 200 yards with two picks. Wendell Smallwood leads the Eagles' backfield with 90 combined yards and a touchdown, while LeGarrette Blount also punches home a short score. Carson Wentz throws for 230 yards and TDs to Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor. Eagles 34-6

Chicago (+9) at New Orleans, 47.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: At some point you have to think Mitch Trubisky will start to lose confidence in his abilities if his DST outscores him every week. The Bears seem unlikely to pull off another smoke-and-mirrors upset against Drew Brees and may need to remove the training wheels from their young QB if they're going to keep pace. For his part, Brees' isn't quite on pace for his usual numbers, but he's also played only two home games so far, so the 300-yard performances should begin to pile up.

The Skinny:
•2017 CHI offense: 17.4 PPG (26th), 126.3 rushing yds/gm (7th), 177.1 passing yds/gm (31st), 17 sacks allowed (T-15th), 14 turnovers (31st)
•2017 NO offense: 28.5 PPG (4th), 121.7 rushing yds/gm (10th), 275.3 passing yds/gm (5th), five sacks allowed (1st), five turnovers (T-3rd)
•2017 CHI defense: 21.6 PPG allowed (14th), 104.9 rushing yds/gm allowed (11th), 215.1 passing yds/gm allowed (9th), 21 sacks (T-6th), nine turnovers (T-15th)
•2017 NO defense: 22.2 PPG allowed (16th), 114.2 rushing yds/gm allowed (20th), 256.7 passing yds/gm allowed (21st), 17 sacks (12th), 10 turnovers (T-9th)
•Brees career stats versus CHI, six games: 3-3, 66.4 percent completion rate, 255.7 passing yds/gm, 13:5 TD:INT, 6.8 YPA, 95.6 QB rating
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Jordan Howard rumbles for 80 yards and a score. Trubisky throws for 200 yards and runs in a TD but gets picked off twice. Mark Ingram gashes the Bears for 120 yards and a touchdown. Brees throws for 320 yards and three TDs, finding Michael Thomas twice and Willie Snead once. Saints, 34-14

L.A. Chargers (+7) at New England, 48.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Bolts have suddenly figured out how not to lose winnable games, winning three straight and thoroughly trouncing the Broncos last week. The offense still has some issues – Melvin Gordon might be averaging a touchdown a game, but he's not doing much to help the team actually get into the red zone, and Philip Rivers' 7.1 YPA would be his lowest mark since 2012 – but the defense has stepped up and been the difference-makers. New England's defense also stepped up last week, but it's still hard to tell whether that marked a turning point for the unit or whether it just got to face a Falcons offense too disjointed to do much damage. Sunday's tilt should offer a better glimpse at whether they've even begun to solve their problems.

The Skinny:
•2017 LAC offense: 19.6 PPG (T-20th), 79.1 rushing yds/gm (31st), 259.4 passing yds/gm (9th), 10 sacks allowed (T-4th), seven turnovers (T-6th)
•2017 NE offense: 27.9 PPG (6th), 110.7 rushing yds/gm (17th), 315.4 passing yds/gm (2nd), 18 sacks allowed (18th), five turnovers (T-3rd)
•2017 LAC defense: 18.7 PPG allowed (8th), 140.6 rushing yds/gm allowed (31st), 207.0 passing yds/gm allowed (8th), 23 sacks (T-4th), nine turnovers (T-15th)
•2017 NE defense: 23.7 PPG allowed (23rd), 116.4 rushing yds/gm allowed (22nd), 323.1 passing yds/gm allowed (32nd), 15 sacks (T-15th), eight turnovers (T-19th)
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: LAC, third against WR2s (minus 43.8 percent DVOA), fifth against RBs (minus 31.4 percent DVOA); NE, 30th against WR1s (34.8 percent DVOA), 29th against RBs (30.2 percent DVOA)
•Philip Rivers career stats versus NE, five games: 1-4, 66.7 percent completion rate, 277.6 passing yds/gm, 9:6 TD:INT, 7.7 YPA, 92.5 QB rating
•Weather forecast: cloudy, 12 mph wind, 29 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Gordon gains 80 combined yards and a receiving TD. Rivers throws for 310 yards and two additional touchdowns to Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin. Dion Lewis manages 70 combined yards, while Mike Gillislee adds 60 yards and a score. Brady throws for 260 yards and TDs to Rob Gronkowski and Phillip Dorsett. Patriots, 27-24

Oakland (+2.5) at Buffalo, 45.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Every time the Raiders seem to settle one question on offense, another crops up. This week's ball of confusion comes in the backfield after Marshawn Lynch got a one-game suspension, giving Jalen Richard and/or DeAndre Washington a chance to show that the team can do without the old man. The Bills' defense isn't likely to provide many easy answers to the Oakland backfield situation, either, though the pass rush remains curiously lackluster.

The Skinny:
•2017 OAK offense: 22.1 PPG (15th), 92.9 rushing yds/gm (24th), 229.4 passing yds/gm (21st), 13 sacks allowed (T-11th), seven turnovers (T-6th)
•2017 BUF offense: 19.8 PPG (19th), 117.7 rushing yds/gm (13th), 196.3 passing yds/gm (30th), 19 sacks allowed (T-19th), three turnovers (2nd)
•2017 OAK defense: 22.3 PPG allowed (T-17th), 113.9 rushing yds/gm allowed (19th), 256.9 passing yds/gm allowed (22nd), 12 sacks (T-27th), five turnovers (28th)
•2017 BUF defense: 16.8 PPG allowed (4th), 84.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (7th), 271.3 passing yds/gm allowed (27th), 13 sacks (T-22nd), 13 turnovers (T-4th)
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: OAK, 29th against WR1s (34.6 percent DVOA); BUF, first against other WRs (minus 69.7 percent DVOA)
•Key injuries, OAK: LB Cory James (knee, questionable), CB David Amerson (foot, out), CB Garon Conley (shin, out), S Karl Joseph (groin, doubtful)
•Weather forecast: wind less than 10 mph, 41 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Richard leads the Raiders backfield with 80 yards, while Washington adds 50. Derek Carr throws for 240 yards and a TD to Michael Crabtree. LeSean McCoy piles up 130 combined yards and a score. Tyrod Taylor throws for 220 yards and a touchdown to Jordan Matthews while running in a score of his own. Bills, 24-16

Indianapolis (+10.5) at Cincinnati, 41.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Colts' offense continues its freefall with Andrew Luck nowhere close to returning, but their defense has somehow managed to be even worse, especially on the road. Their best effort away from home was when they held a less-than-100 percent Marcus Mariota to "only" 36 points a couple weeks ago. After a tough loss to the Steelers, a nice, relaxing afternoon picking apart the Indianapolis secondary may be just what Andy Dalton needs.

The Skinny:
•2017 IND offense: 17.0 PPG (T-27th), 97.3 rushing yds/gm (T-21st), 219.6 passing yds/gm (26th), 29 sacks allowed (32nd), nine turnovers (T-16th)
•2017 CIN offense: 16.3 PPG (29th), 81.8 rushing yds/gm (28th), 226.7 passing yds/gm (24th), 19 sacks allowed (T-19th), 13 turnovers (T-28th)
•2017 IND defense: 31.7 PPG allowed (32nd), 124.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (26th), 310.9 passing yds/gm allowed (31st), 13 sacks (T-22nd), 10 turnovers (T-9th)
•2017 CIN defense: 18.7 PPG allowed (T-6th), 111.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (14th), 196.0 passing yds/gm allowed (3rd), 18 sacks (T-9th), four turnovers (T-29th)
•Dalton career stats versus IND, three games: 2-1, 63.8 percent completion rate, 221.7 passing yds/gm, 4:0 TD:INT, 6.3 YPA, 94.3 QB rating
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: IND, 28th against WR2s (31.8 percent DVOA), 27th against other WRs (25.2 percent DVOA), 32nd against RBs (54.2 percent DVOA); CIN, sixth against WR1s (minus 25.2 percent DVOA), 32nd against other WRs (47.0 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Frank Gore scrapes together 40 yards. Jacoby Brissett throws for 210 yards and runs in a TD. Joe Mixon puts together 80 combined yards and a touchdown, but Jeremy Hill (rushing) and Giovani Bernard (receiving) also score. Dalton throws for 250 yards and two more TDs to A.J. Green and John Ross. Bengals, 38-10

Houston (+5.5) at Seattle, 45.5 o/u – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Seahawks' secondary might not be quite the unit it was a few years ago, but it still presents the first tough challenge to Deshaun Watson since he was unleashed in Week 3. Russell Wilson is on a roll of his own, though, posting a 10:3 TD:INT over his last four games. Houston-Seattle games are supposed to be defensive slugfests, but it wouldn't be all that surprising to see these two QBs blow past the over/under line by halftime.

The Skinny:
•2017 HOU offense: 29.5 PPG (3rd), 137.7 rushing yds/gm (3rd), 226.5 passing yds/gm (25th), 21 sacks allowed (T-23rd), nine turnovers (T-16th)
•2017 SEA offense: 22.3 PPG (14th), 108.3 rushing yds/gm (18th), 259.3 passing yds/gm (10th), 14 sacks allowed (T-14th), six turnovers (5th)
•2017 HOU defense: 24.5 PPG allowed (T-25th), 107.2 rushing yds/gm allowed (13th), 218.0 passing yds/gm allowed (10th), 15 sacks (T-15th), 10 turnovers (T-9th)
•2017 SEA defense: 15.7 PPG allowed (1st), 113.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (T-17th), 202.3 passing yds/gm allowed (7th), 12 sacks (T-27th), 10 turnovers (T-9th)
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: HOU, 31st against WR2s (39.3 percent DVOA), third against TEs (minus 29.5 percent DVOA), fourth against RBs (minus 37.5 percent DVOA); SEA, second against other WRs (minus 40.5 percent DVOA), first against RBs (minus 54.7 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Lamar Miller runs for 70 yards and a score. Watson throws for 260 yards and touchdowns to DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. Thomas Rawls picks up 50 yards. Wilson throws for 310 yards and three TDs, hitting Doug Baldwin twice and Paul Richardson once. Seahawks, 30-27

Dallas at Washington (+2.5), 50.0 o/u – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: The course of Ezekiel Elliott's legal battle to avoid or overturn his suspension is starting to feel like it was scribbled on the back of a cocktail napkin by John Grisham, but on the field he and the Cowboys' juggernaut O-line have definitely hit their stride. That's bad news for a Washington front seven that just lost Mason Foster for the season, but the offense has a reasonably healthy Jordan Reed getting back up to speed to try and help compensate.

The Skinny:
•2017 DAL offense: 27.5 PPG (7th), 147.5 rushing yds/gm (2nd), 238.0 passing yds/gm (T-17th), seven sacks allowed (2nd), seven turnovers (T-6th)
•2017 WAS offense: 23.5 PPG (11th), 114.8 rushing yds/gm (14th), 272.8 passing yds/gm (6th), 12 sacks allowed (10th), 10 turnovers (T-20th)
•2017 DAL defense: 23.7 PPG allowed (22nd), 115.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (21st), 247.8 passing yds/gm allowed (19th), 21 sacks (T-6th), seven turnovers (T-24th)
•2017 WAS defense: 24.5 PPG allowed (T-25th), 94.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (9th), 252.0 passing yds/gm allowed (20th), 18 sacks (T-9th), nine turnovers (T-15th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 6-4 DAL, average score DAL 27-WAS 24, average margin of victory eight points
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: DAL, 31st against TEs (31.6 percent DVOA), 30th against RBs (32.2 percent DVOA); WAS, fourth against WR1s (minus 30.9 percent DVOA), second against WR2s (minus 47.6 percent DVOA), 28th against TEs (26.4 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: wind less than 10 mph, 80 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Zeke darts for 90 yards and a touchdown. Dak Prescott throws for 230 yards and a TD to Jason Witten while running in a score of his own. Chris Thompson leads the Washington backfield with 100 combined yards and a receiving TD. Kirk Cousins throws for 280 yards and two more touchdowns, hitting Reed and Terrelle Pryor. Washington, 30-24

Pittsburgh at Detroit (+3), 45.5 o/u – Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Story: Say what you want about the Steelers' use (or misuse) of Martavis Bryant, but they haven't exactly needed him. They're already threatening to run away with the AFC North thanks to their established triplets and a young, nasty defense, which isn't going to leave much left over for Bryant or any other receiver except the occasional downfield heave anyway. Sure, he has the talent to maybe be a superstar WR on another team, but Pittsburgh already has one of those. As for the Lions, they better hope the bye week allowed Matthew Stafford's ankle to heal all the way up, because if his mobility is compromised he'll be a tackling dummy in the pocket for T.J. Watt, et al.

The Skinny:
•2017 PIT offense: 21.0 PPG (17th), 113.7 rushing yds/gm (16th), 255.6 passing yds/gm (11th), 10 sacks allowed (T-4th), 10 turnovers (T-20th)
•2017 DET offense: 26.8 PPG (8th), 84.0 rushing yds/gm (26th), 238.0 passing yds/gm (T-17th), 23 sacks allowed (T-28th), eight turnovers (T-12th)
•2017 PIT defense: 16.6 PPG allowed (3rd), 111.7 rushing yds/gm allowed (15th), 172.3 passing yds/gm allowed (1st), 24 sacks (T-2nd), 10 turnovers (T-9th)
•2017 DET defense: 24.8 PPG allowed (28th), 94.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (8th), 260.2 passing yds/gm allowed (24th), 13 sacks (T-22nd), 14 turnovers (3rd)
•Ben Roethlisberger career stats versus DET, three games: 3-0, 64.8 percent completion rate, 259.7 passing yds/gm, 7:3 TD:INT, 8.6 YPA, 103.7 QB rating
•Football Outsiders 2017 ranking versus receiver types: PIT, third against other WRs (minus 36.5 percent DVOA), second against TEs (minus 33.1 percent DVOA); DET, fifth against WR1s (minus 25.4 percent DVOA), 27th against TEs (26.2 percent DVOA), third against RBs (minus 42.2 percent DVOA)
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Le'Veon Bell gains 90 combined yards and a TD. Roethlisberger throws for 280 yards and touchdowns to Antonio Brown and Jesse James. Ameer Abdullah manages 60 yards. Stafford throws for 220 yards and a score to Theo Riddick but gets sacked six times, fumbling on one that results in a Ryan Shazier TD return. Steelers, 31-13

Miami (+3) at Baltimore, 37.5 o/u – Thursday, 8:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Dolphins have been given a temporary reprieve from Capt. Ennui, Jay Cutler, thanks to a rib injury, which puts eternal backup Matt Moore under center. Fun fact: in less than two quarters last week, Moore had more passing yards than Cutler had managed in any of his last three full games. The really sad part is, Cutler's 5.5 YPA this season is still better than what Joe Flacco has managed, and that's before you consider the Ravens' depth charts at wide receiver and tight end, which make the Giants look positively flush with healthy options. Don't expect a repeat of that Rams-Niners Thursday night barn burner, is what I'm saying.

The Skinny:
•2017 MIA offense: 15.3 PPG (31st), 81.7 rushing yds/gm (29th), 197.2 passing yds/gm (29th), 13 sacks allowed (T-11th), eight turnovers (T-12th)
•2017 BAL offense: 18.6 PPG (23rd), 120.1 rushing yds/gm (12th), 175.0 passing yds/gm (32nd), 17 sacks allowed (T-15th), 12 turnovers (T-25th)
•2017 MIA defense: 18.7 PPG allowed (6th), 82.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (5th), 241.0 passing yds/gm allowed (18th), 15 sacks (T-15th), six turnovers (27th)
•2017 BAL defense: 21.1 PPG allowed (21st), 145.3 rushing yds/gm allowed (32nd), 201.6 passing yds/gm allowed (6th), 16 sacks (T-13th), 15 turnovers (2nd)
•Flacco career stats versus MIA, five games: 5-0, 72.2 percent completion rate, 283.4 passing yds/gm, 9:3 TD:INT, 8.7 YPA, 109.5 QB rating
•Key injuries, BAL: RB Terrance West (calf, out); WR Mike Wallace (concussion, questionable); WR Jeremy Maclin (shoulder, questionable); TE Ben Watson (knee, questionable); CB Jimmy Smith (Achilles, questionable)
•Weather forecast: clear, less than 10 mph wind, less than 10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop: Jay Ajayi shines, racking up 110 yards and two TDs. Moore throws for 230 yards and a touchdown to Julius Thomas. Alex Collins leads the Ravens' backfield with 60 yards, but Javorius Allen catches a TD pass. Flacco throws for a season-high 240 yards and finds Griff Whalen for a second score. Dolphins, 24-17

Last week's record: 12-3, 6-7-2 ATS, 9-6 o/u
2017 regular-season record: 59-47, 43-59-4 ATS, 52-52-2 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