By BOB MATTHEWS
Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle

The New York Giants should continue their run for an NFL playoff berth at home Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

The Giants are playing surprisingly well on both sides of the football and will be healthy and well-rested coming off their bye week.

The Lions somehow are 3-2 despite the NFL's worst offense. They've been outgained by 369 to 227 yards per game. Their rushing attack has been particularly feeble, averaging 3.2 yards per carry.

The Giants are 4-0 since ending a nine-game losing streak and have worked too hard to take the Lions lightly. They're favored by 6.5 points and this week's "Best Bet": NEW YORK GIANTS 30, Detroit 14.

Sunday's games

(home team in CAPS)

Buffalo 17, BALTIMORE 10 - The 5.5-point spot to the Bills seems overly generous considering that Ravens star running back Jamal Lewis is suspended and the game figures to be a low-scoring affair.

Philadelphia 27, CLEVELAND 16 - The Browns are 3-0 at home for the first time since 1973 but they haven't defeated any opponents as tough as the undefeated 7-point favored Eagles.

San Diego 20, CAROLINA 17 - The struggling Panthers are favored by 3 points but the Chargers are much healthier and playing better football.

Atlanta 24, KANSAS CITY 20 - The 3.5-point underdog Falcons play much better defense than the Chiefs and Atlanta has almost as much offensive potential with QB Michael Vick, RB Warrick Dunn and WR Peerless Price.

INDIANAPOLIS 28, Jacksonville 13 - The resourceful Jaguars have won four games in the final minute but don't figure to stick close enough to continue their late heroics against the 9-point favored Colts.

St. Louis 27, MIAMI 13 - The 6-point favored Rams can't match the winless Dolphins on defense but they have a huge advantage on offense. Warning: Miami is 6-1 against the spread (ATS) in the last seven meetings (when the Dolphins knew how to score).

MINNESOTA 28, Tennessee 14 - The 6.5-point underdog Titans have a long injury list and probably couldn't trade points with the Vikings in the Metrodome if they were healthy.

TAMPA BAY 27, Chicago 10 - The 7-point favored Buccaneers have too much defense to lose to the punchless Bears and QB Jonathan Quinn.

NEW ENGLAND 23, New York Jets 20 - The Jets probably won't win the game but they usually play the Patriots tough and the 6-point spot is too tempting to pass up.

Seattle 24, ARIZONA 13 - The 6.5-point favored Seahawks have plenty to prove coming off disappointing losses at home to St. Louis and at New England. They swept the Cardinals last season, 38-0 on the road and 28-10 at home.

GREEN BAY 27, Dallas 15 - The 3.5-point favored Packers owe their fans a top effort after losing their first three games at Lambeau Field this season.

New Orleans 30, OAKLAND 20 - Saints QB Aaron Brooks is inconsistent but Raiders QB Kerry Collins has been consistently lousy this season. The 3-point spot to New Orleans is a bonus.

Monday night

Denver 28, CINCINNATI 14 - The 6-point underdog Bengals are 7-16 on Monday Night Football and don't figure to improve that mark against the NFL's best-balanced team so far this season (the Broncos are fifth in offense and first in defense).

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 11-3 picking winning teams outright (53-35 this season); 12-2 picking winners against the point spread (45-41-2 this season); the "Best Bet" is 5-1 outright and 3-3 ATS after 9-point favored Philadelphia beat Carolina 30-8.

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