What’s My Line? Jets, Panthers example of NFL’s shifting fates

Friday, Dec. 18, 1998 | 9:48 a.m.

Sal DeFilippo's pro football picks column appears Friday. Reach him at sal@lasvegassun.com or 259-4076.

Last week's games provided two shining examples of how quickly the NFL pendulum can swing, and in different directions.

Flashback: 1996. The NFC West champion Carolina Panthers rode a 12-4 regular season into the NFC title game, which they lost to eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay. Kevin Greene led a suffocating defense. Dom Capers was considered one of the league's brilliant young coaches.

Meanwhile, the New York Jets completed a franchise-worst 1-15 season, capped by the dismissal of Rick Kotite and rookie Keyshawn Johnson's damning book.

Believe it or not, that was less than two years ago. However, it must seem like eons for both teams. The Jets are 10-4 and can clinch their first division title since division play was instituted in 1970 by winning either of their final two games. Kotite is long gone. Johnson is going to the Pro Bowl.

Carolina is 2-12. Greene is suffocating assistant coaches on the sideline. Capers is rumored to be on the way out.

Carolina's first win as a franchise came in 1995, against the Jets. This year, New York rolled up 48 points in a four-touchdown victory.

No telling where these teams will be in another two years, but the turnarounds illustrate one point: In the NFL, hope springs eternal, but success is often only temporary.

Last week

Arizona, a three-point favorite at Philadelphia, kicked a field goal in overtime for a push against the spread as last week's top play. In a rare strong week, I was 9-4-2 against the number and 9-5-1 on over/under lines.

For the season

Top of the line: 6-8-1

Spread: 89-110-7, .448

Over/Unders: 102-102-2, .500

Straight-up: 123-83, .597

Top of the line

I know the Packers are hurt and the Oilers have played well in recent weeks, but Mike Holmgren will find a way to get the Packers clicking heading into the postseason.

Green Bay 31, Tennessee 17.

The Bills still have a bitter taste from New York's 34-12 win against them earlier this season. Doug Flutie gains a little revenge.

Buffalo 34, New York Jets 21.

The Redskins have scored at least 21 points for seven consecutive games, but the Buccaneers defense should hold them in check. Norv Turner's tenure winds down to T-minus-one game.

Tampa Bay 13, Washington 6.

About the only thing Steve Young and New England starting quarterback Scott Zolak have in common is the number of letters in their first and last names.

San Francisco 27, New England 13.

Now that the Giants are done playing spoiler, they can go back to spoiling their own season.

Kansas City 20, New York Giants 10.

First Kerry Collins doesn't want to play quarterback and leaves. Then comes the Greene incident with assistant coach Kevin Steele, and Steele leaves to take the head coaching job at Baylor. Meanwhile, on the other side, Dick Vermeil just sticks around, fermenting on the sidelines. I don't get it.

Carolina 21, St. Louis 16.

Kordell Stewart argued briefly with coach Bill Cowher after being benched last week. Fortunately, Cowher had what it took put things into the proper perspective -- a copy of his season statistics. Still, Stewart is too spunky not to respond with a strong performance this week.

Pittsburgh 36, Cincinnati 24.

I've won a lot of money betting against Jim Harbaugh at Soldier Field, where he quarterbacked the Bears from 1987-93. Why stop now?

Chicago 24, Baltimore 21.

With Dan Reeves removed from the sidelines to have surgery, the Lions bypass Atlanta in an upset.

Detroit 27, Atlanta 21.

At long last, the rematch of that 7-6 midseason thriller that the Raiders pulled off in the closing minutes. There won't be too much more offense this time around, but there won't be 27 punts, either.

San Diego 22, Oakland 14.

The interesting matchup, particularly to Peyton Manning, will be whether the Colts, who have allowed an NFL-best 15 sacks, can stop the Seahawks, tied with the Giants for the NFL lead with 49 sacks. Seattle keeps its slim playoff hopes alive, but not without a scare.

Seattle 28, Indianapolis 26.

The Cowboys have a cakewalk when the teams first met, but things were different then. This week, it's Koy vs. Troy. I'll give credit to Detmer, but the Cowboys will cash in on the chance to get a much-needed win.

Dallas 14, Philadelphia 10.

The Cardinals are in the driver's seat for a playoff berth, despite have beaten a grand total of zero teams with winning records this season. The Saints rebound from last week's tough loss and remind the Cardinals why they haven't made the playoffs in a nonstrike year since 1975.

New Orleans 33, Arizona 30.

Defenses all around the league are doing Roberto Duran impressions -- "No Moss, No Moss!" -- but to no avail. Jacksonville is no different.

Minnesota37, Jacksonville 19.

ABC is still considering suing the Giants over lost ratings from the fallout caused by Denver's defeat, but in the meantime, the Broncos start a new winning streak.

Denver 30, Miami 20.