| Each week, Mike Wilkening offers up his 'NFL Audit,' a recap of the week that was in the league from a point-spread perspective and a look at the week ahead, with an emphasis on the lessons, observations and trends needed to pick future winners. Here are excerpts from this week's piece: Handicappers have to decide what to do with the 49ers and Seahawks, who both fell to 3-5 against the number with their non-covers on Sunday. The 49ers are especially tough to figure. They allowed eight sacks on Sunday despite having their starting offensive line largely intact. Moreover, the 49ers had two weeks to prepare for St. Louis. And if ever a club was supposed to move up after the bye, it was San Francisco, which has dealt with a rash of injuries all season. Note that the 49ers had just four players on the injury report entering Sunday, which suggests they did heal over their idle week. Were the 49ers just flat coming off their bye? If so, they could appeal as 4-point underdogs at New Orleans on Sunday. The Niners are 3-0 against the number and 2-1 straight-up vs. the Saints in Jim Harbaugh's tenure as head coach, the last two meetings happening in New Orleans. However, the 49ers could be catching the Saints at a bad time. New Orleans has won 3-of-4 and blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead in its lone loss in the sequence. In short, the 49ers will have to pick it up to have a chance at pulling off the upset. Whether they are capable of doing so is the salient issue. Injuries, offensive struggles chew away at Seahawks The Seahawks could really use a break. Trouble is, their bye was in late September. Fourteen Seahawks were on the Week 9 injury report with ailments. Four starters were inactive for Sunday's game, with strong safety Kam Chancellor (groin) and center Max Unger (foot) also held out despite being active. The Seahawks' defense, as would be expected, was stout against a limited Oakland offense, allowing just 226 yards on 60 plays. However, the Seahawks' offense was pedestrian, managing just 4.4 yards per snap. Quarterback Russell Wilson wasn't sharp, hitting just 17-of-35 passes for 179 yards. The Seahawks' biggest problems, though, were on special teams. Oakland recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown and set up another score with a 27-yard punt return. Also, Seahawks placekicker Steven Hauschka missed a 46-yard field goal. Ultimately, the Seahawks were too much for the Raiders, who hurt their cause with a slew of early mistakes. But Seattle hardly looked like a powerhouse in holding off Oakland. The Seahawks' second-half play was surprisingly shaky, even for a banged-up club trying to grind out a win against a struggling-but-feisty foe. The Seahawks are again sizeable favorites in Week 10, with the visiting Giants as much as 9-point underdogs. At their best, the Seahawks can cover that number. But what about when they are hurting? And what about their offense, which has tallied two touchdowns or less in three of the last four games? Handicappers who want to take a wait-and-see approach with Pete Carroll's club would be forgiven. Winner tough to support in Week 10: Cincinnati (vs. Cleveland) — The Bengals surrendered 6.1 yards per play to a shaky Jacksonville offense on Sunday. Now, Cincinnati's defense must deal with a stronger Cleveland attack. The Bengals merit favoritism against the Browns, but can Cincinnati cover the 6-point spread? Loser meriting another shot in Week 10: N.Y. Jets (vs. Pittsburgh) — The Jets won time of possession and outgained the Chiefs 364-309 in a 24-10 loss at Kansas City on Sunday. Of the Jets' eight drives starting in their own territory, six crossed the 50-yard line. These are baby steps, but they are not unhealthy signs, especially when we're talking about a 1-8 club like New York. The Steelers have not played on the road since Oct. 12 and lack a strong defense. The Jets have a chance to make this an ugly, grinding game, and the Steelers might be due for a letdown. Read the full version of 'NFL Audit' right here at The Linemakers on Sporting News. | 
