The Weekend’s Best Bets

BRIAN BLESSING THE LINEMAKERS SPORTINGNEWS.COM (7-2)

BUFFALO BILLS (+2) over Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are on a roll, but their opponents and, more important, when they defeated San Diego, St. Louis and the New York Jets give me pause. Off a bye, the Bills blasted Miami last year. The Bills dominated the Chiefs in 2013, outgaining them 470-210 with a fourth-string quarterback, only to lose via two defensive touchdowns by Kansas City. This is a play on the Buffalo defense, which is much better against the run thanks to linebacker Brandon Spikes. The oddsmakers provided added motivation by making the Bills underdogs at home.

STEVE COFIELD ESPN1100.COM (3-5-1)

San Francisco 49ers (+5) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

It’s backs-against-the-wall time for 4-4 San Francisco, which needs to rally to reach the playoffs. The Saints’ middle-of-the-road defense (13th in the NFL) won’t be able to slow quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers’ running game. All of the trends point to a low-scoring game that will allow San Francisco to hang close throughout.

ED GRANEY LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL (4-5)

SAN DIEGO STATE (-20½) over Idaho

I know this is more chalk than you would find in an elementary school, but when you think Idaho, you think potatoes and trout. Football doesn’t apply for the Vandals, who are brutal. I’m guessing the Aztecs couldn’t throw one pass, hand the ball to Donnel Pumphrey 40 times, play defense and still cover such a big number. San Diego State plays just well enough annually to qualify for a second-tier bowl. At 4-4, this is one the Aztecs will easily get in pursuit of another postseason game. The folks from the Poinsettia Bowl will be watching.

MATT YOUMANS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL (6-3)

UNLV (+6) over Air Force

It’s always a gamble to back the Rebels, but they play best for coach Bobby Hauck in the home underdog role. The trend for the Falcons is to fail as road favorites. Air Force, 0-9 against the spread after playing Army and Navy, claimed the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy by beating the Black Knights last week. UNLV (2-7) is running out of chances to get another win. The key for the Rebels, who won the past two games in the series, needs to be better play from quarterback Blake Decker.