Sports

Niners are boss coming off loss

Football expert Phil Steele is the owner and publisher of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, regarded as the college football bible. Get in-depth coverage of college and pro football 24/7/365 at PhilSteele.com.

49ERS (-10) over Dolphins: The 49ers return home after getting upset at St. Louis and they are one of the league’s best the game after a loss. In the last two seasons under Jim Harbaugh, they are 6-0, allowing just four points per game. Miami has to make this long trip the week after losing All-Pro LT Jake Long, and his replacement will be up against the leagues sack leader in Aldon Smith. San Francisco shows no mercy in this one.

Cowboys (+3) over BENGALS: The Bengals have won four straight to get back in the playoff hunt, so naturally they are favored against 6-6 Dallas. That’s why there’s value backing the Cowboys. The Bengals’ three wins at home have come against teams with an average offensive rank of 17th and an average defensive rank of 24th, and the Cowboys come in ranked eighth on offense and 11th on defense.

LAST WEEK (NFL): 2-0. SEASON: 15-9-2.