Giants keep rolling on road

While most NFL teams strive for dominance at home and settle for mediocrity on the road, the New York Giants and coach Tom Coughlin just win everywhere.

The best coaches consistently achieve success on the road, and that's where Coughlin's record is remarkable. The Giants have covered 12 of their past 14 road games, and Coughlin is 25-7 against the spread (ATS) in his past 32 away.

New York, 3-0 and off back-to-back wins at Tampa Bay and Dallas, is an 81/2-point favorite at Kansas City today.

"Playing three straight road games would frustrate almost any team, but not the Giants, the strongest road team in the NFL," said handicapper Joseph D'Amico, who recommends betting the favorite.

Coughlin has no magic formula for the road. He simply uses a stingy defense, a run-based offense and a steady quarterback in Eli Manning to beat down opponents.

The Giants rank No. 2 in the league in defense, allowing 245 yards per game, and D'Amico expects dominance from New York against a Kansas City offense that ranks 30th in the league and is getting little from running back Larry Johnson.

The Giants' ground attack features Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Bradshaw, who has 35 carries for 201 yards, is expected to play despite right foot and ankle injuries. Jacobs, the power runner, has 196 yards on 58 carries.

The rebuilding and winless Chiefs, once a strong bet at Arrowhead Stadium, are 3-11 ATS in their past 14 home games.

D'Amico (www.allamericansports.info) said Baltimore, Cincinnati and Tennessee are his other top plays today. He's also betting the Minnesota Vikings as 31/2-point home favorites over the Green Bay Packers on Monday.

D'Amico's analysis of the rest of today's Week 4 schedule:

• Oakland at Houston (-9): The Texans looked like they were back on track as a serious playoff contender a week ago, but a late turnover near the goal line resulted in a 31-24 loss to Jacksonville. Houston's Matt Schaub has been solid with 823 yards passing and seven touchdowns. The Texans' defense is questionable, but I don't think struggling Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell can take advantage of the situation. Although I can't back the hapless Raiders, I also can't lay this many points with Houston. Stay away. There are better games on the board.

• Tennessee (-3) at Jacksonville: Suddenly, this is a must-win game for Tennessee (0-3) and struggling quarterback Kerry Collins, who will have all day to pass against a Jacksonville defense that has a mere three sacks. Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner and Matt Schaub totaled 866 yards passing and six touchdowns against the Jaguars the first three weeks. Lay the points and watch Titans coach Jeff Fisher get his first win of the season.

• Baltimore at New England (-2): The Patriots had their best performance of the season last week in a 26-10 victory over Atlanta. The New England defense contained quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner. The offense stepped up with big efforts from Tom Brady, Fred Taylor and Randy Moss. Baltimore's defense will do what Atlanta's could not -- put pressure on Brady. The Ravens, 3-0 straight up and ATS, are scoring 34.3 points per game, mostly on the strength of Joe Flacco's right arm. The Patriots' defense will be without standout linebacker Jerod Mayo. The Ravens should win.

• Cincinnati (-6) at Cleveland: Things can't get much worse for the 0-3 Browns. They've been outscored by an average of 22 points per game, and quarterback Brady Quinn was benched for Derek Anderson. The Bengals have a well-balanced attack with quarterback Carson Palmer and Cedric Benson, who has 293 yards rushing. The Bengals are 5-1 ATS in their past six, while Cleveland is 0-5 ATS in its past five against opponents with a winning record. Bet the Bengals.

• Detroit at Chicago (-10): The Lions finally got a win last week, and it helped that rookie Matthew Stafford did not throw an interception. Kevin Smith, who rushed for 101 yards, is questionable today. The Bears pulled off comeback victories over Seattle and Pittsburgh the past two weeks, and their defense played well without linebacker Brian Urlacher. The question is, does Detroit's win last week give it momentum and take the pressure off? I can't justify backing the Lions, but I can't lay 10 with Chicago, so no opinion.

• Tampa Bay at Washington (-8): Neither team's offense is lighting up the scoreboard. The Buccaneers' Byron Leftwich, just 7-for-16 with 22 yards passing last week, has been replaced by Josh Johnson. Tampa Bay needs to establish the run with Carnell Williams and Derrick Ward, but it will be tough against a defense allowing just 16.3 points per game. Washington has totaled 40 points through three games. The Redskins' past eight home games went under the total. Take this under 37.

• Seattle at Indianapolis (-10): The Seahawks will start Seneca Wallace in place of injured quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Without Hasselbeck under center, the offense will sputter. Peyton Manning keeps producing at a high level despite his receiving corps changing from week to week. The Colts can also run against a weak Seahawks defense. Either way, as long as Manning is at the helm, Indianapolis covers.

• New York Jets at New Orleans (-7): Both teams are undefeated and perfect against the spread. New York has one of the best defenses in the league, while New Orleans is the NFL's highest-scoring team. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez is gaining confidence with each Jets win. But the New York defense, which showed signs of mortality last week, will get a big test from Drew Brees, who has been unstoppable with nine TD passes. The over is 12-1-1 in New Orleans' past 14 at home, so take this over 451/2.

• Buffalo at Miami (Pick): These teams are a combined 1-6. Bills running back Marshawn Lynch returns from suspension, but Buffalo's defense is decimated by injuries, with several starters out, including cornerback Leodis McKelvin and safety Donte Whitner. Miami won and covered both meetings a year ago. The Dolphins have had trouble passing and have been horrible in the red zone. It won't get any better with Chad Henne filling in for injured Chad Pennington. I'm leaning toward Buffalo, but injuries make this tough to call.

• St. Louis at San Francisco (-91/2): It looks like the winless Rams will go with quarterback Kyle Boller to replace Marc Bulger, who is doubtful with a shoulder injury. St. Louis' defense is still giving up 24.3 points per game, but the unit has gotten better under coach Steve Spagnuolo. San Francisco is on a 4-0 straight-up and 3-1 ATS run at home under coach Mike Singletary. The 49ers are 6-1-1 ATS in their past eight, so lay the points with Singletary.

• Dallas (-3) at Denver: Who would have thought the Broncos would be 3-0 at this point due to a defense yielding 5.3 points per game? Changing the defense to a 3-4 has worked wonders for Denver. However, this is its first true test of the season. Dallas has been an up-and-down team, but the difference in this game should be Tony Romo's connection with Jason Witten, who's arguably the most valuable tight end in the league. The Denver defense hasn't faced a team with the weaponry of the Cowboys, who should win and cover.

• San Diego at Pittsburgh (-61/2): The defending Super Bowl champs are 1-2 and have lost both games by three points. It's not the absence of safety Troy Polomalu that is costing them, because their defense is holding teams to 16.7 points per game. It is Pittsburgh's inability to run the ball that is hurting, and now running back Willie Parker is doubtful with an injury. Pittsburgh beat San Diego twice last season. The Steelers are 5-1 ATS in their past six at home, while the Chargers are 2-6 ATS in their past eight on the road. This is almost a must-win for coach Mike Tomlin's team, so I'm on the Steelers.

Compiled by Las Vegas Review-Journal sports writer Matt Youmans.