Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

When the 4-3 Kansas City Chiefs host the 0-7 Miami Dolphins on Sunday, it will be a game between two teams that desperately need a victory. The Chiefs have battled back from an 0-3 start and are now in the thick of the AFC West title hunt.

An overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers last week put the Chiefs into a three-way tie for first place with the Chargers and Oakland Raiders. Now that the Chiefs have survived their miserable start, the games get even more vital, especially against teams they have to beat, like the Dolphins.

Miami has simply had a miserable year and are essentially playing out a lost season. The only positive that can come at this point is finishing with the league's worst record and drafting Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall draft pick in April.

The Dolphins' players certainly won't be thinking that way, though, and they are sure to put up a fight, just as they did against the New York Giants last week. Because of that, you can't count the Dolphins out in this contest.

Where: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

When: Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. EDT

Watch: CBS; CBS Miami 4 and KCTV 5

Spread: Kansas City (-4)

A four-point line in favor of Kansas City seems to be pretty fair since, at the very least, the Dolphins have a penchant for keeping games close. I don't anticipate Miami winning, but I also don't think the Chiefs will run away with it. I like Kansas City by a touchdown in this one, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Chiefs win by a field goal or less.

Over/Under: 40.5

This over/under is right on the number. I made my prediction of 41 total points prior to looking at this particular line, so I can tell this is going to be a close one. If I was forced to pick the over/under in this game, I would go with the over, but just barely. It could just as easily go under, though, seeing as neither team is dynamic on offense. Your best bet would probably be to stay away completely.

Dolphins Key Injuries

Out: QB Chad Henne (shoulder—IR), WR Marlon Moore (foot—IR)

Questionable: RB Daniel Thomas (hamstring), DB Vontae Davis (hamstring), C Mike Pouncey (head)

Probable: WR Brandon Marshall (quad)

Chiefs Key Injuries

Out: RB Jamaal Charles (knee—IR), TE Tony Moeaki (knee—IR), DB Eric Berry (knee—IR)

Questionable: DB Jon McGraw (shoulder)

Fantasy Big Players

QB Matt Cassel (KC) - Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel is awfully inconsistent, but he has the capability to put up some three- or four-touchdown games. That seems like a real possibility this week against Miami's weak secondary. If your starter is on the bye or you're looking for matchups, don't hesitate to start Cassel this week.

WR Dwayne Bowe (KC) - Seeing as I am predicting a three- or four-score game from Cassel, a couple of those figure to go to his No. 1 target, Dwayne Bowe. The emergence of Jon Baldwin on the other side could lose him some targets, but it will divert some defensive attention at the same time. I expect Bowe to come up huge on Sunday.

Keys to Dolphins Win

If the Dolphins are going to win this game, then it begins and ends with defense. Miami has really struggled on that side of the ball, particularly against the pass. Cameron Wake needs to get to Cassel early and often in order to disrupt his rhythm. The Dolphins need to make this a low-scoring affair.

The running game will be important on offense, as well. Who knows whether or not Daniel Thomas will play, so the duty rests on the shoulders of Reggie Bush. Quarterback Matt Moore likely won't get much going with No. 1 target Brandon Marshall being blanketed by Brandon Flowers, meaning a big game from Bush would be pivotal for Miami's offense.

Keys to Chiefs Win

The Chiefs simply need to continue playing the kind of team football they have been for the past month. If Flowers continues to play like one of the league's elite corners and shuts down Marshall, then it will really inhibit the Dolphins offensively. Also, Kansas City must keep forcing turnovers, as that has been a big factor in it turnaround.

On offense the Chiefs will want to do most of their damage through the air. While running back Jackie Battle needs to present the threat of a running game, Cassel will need to be on point in throwing to the "Killer B's" in Bowe, Baldwin and Steve Breaston. As long as Cassel plays well, the Chiefs should have a fairly easy route to victory.

Prediction

Chiefs 24, Dolphins 17