What’s My Line? O’Donnell brimming after pulling off heist vs. Steelers

Friday, Oct. 16, 1998 | 12:06 p.m.

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

Neil O'Donnell had to spend most of this week reviewing tape.

Even if he didn't replay the finish to Cincinnati's 25-20 win over Pittsburgh on video, it had to re-run through his mind a few times.

O'Donnell quarterbacked the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX three seasons ago before a couple of wasted seasons with the Jets. Many thought his NFL days were numbered after his stint in New York, but he signed with the Bengals and beat Jeff Blake for the starting job.

The Steelers appeared to have victory secured Sunday in the final minute, sacking O'Donnell on second down and forcing an incomplete pass on third down. The Bengals needed 12 yards to maintain possession, and even so, they were backed up around their 10-yard line.

O'Donnell threw a high, deep pass that Carl Pickens hauled in for a 50-yard game, and following two running plays, pulled some trickery on the Steelers.

Lining up as if to take a quick snap and spike the ball to stop the clock, O'Donnell dropped back slowly, paused and lobbed a pass toward the end zone. Pickens beat one-on-one coverage near the goal line and walked in for the game-winning score.

The Steelers had one stolen, and you can bet O'Donnell didn't mind being the thief.

Last week

Best bet Buffalo needed a lift from Doug Flutie, but won and covered against Indianapolis. The rest of the week was par for the season-long course, spent mostly in the rough with no green to show for it.

For the season

Top of the line: 3-3

Spread: 30-49-2, .383

Over/Unders: 39-42, .481

Straight-up: 49-32, .605

Top of the line

Billy Joe Tolliver, who started the season watching Billy Joe Hobert get injured, is the new starter in New Orleans, with Kerry Collins and his newfound love for the game hoping to contribute. Speaking of, the really interesting game for Collins is in two weeks, when the Saints play at Carolina. For now, the Falcons are too strong.

Atlanta 17, New Orleans 3.

Other games

Despite a 2-3 start, the Buccaneers are hardly a sinking ship. Carolina is right up there with the Titanic.

Tampa Bay 23, Carolina 7.

No sweet music from Doug Flutie this time around. The Jaguars win to set up a great battle of unbeaten at Denver next week.

Jacksonville 21, Buffalo 10.

I'd love to have heard Bill Cowher address his defense in the locker room following last week's debacle. That alone should be worth a couple of points against the number.

Pittsburgh 34, Baltimore 20.

The Giants are one of this season's underachievers, but the Cardinals are an underachiever every season.

New York 20, Arizona 13.

After watching the Trent Green-Gus the throwing mule circus, it's obvious the smartest man in Washington is Jeff Hostetler. However, after a huge win at Green Bay and a bye week, and with two road division games in front of them, this could be a spot where the Vikings play uninspired.

Minnesota 24, Washington 17.

I know the Oilers won last week, but 12 to 8 isn't a football score, it's a work shift. Right now, the Bengals are doing the better job.

Cincinnati 23, Tennessee 16.

I thought Peyton Manning would struggle, but not to the point where his uniform number was also the point spread. Still, too many for me.

San Francisco 27, Indianapolis 12.

With eight turnovers last week, the Bears have already used their allotment for October. They'll play a better game this week, but still not well enough to win.

Dallas 16, Chicago 13.

The Rams ended their home eight-game losing streak just in time to build one on the road.

Miami 29, St. Louis 13.

To use a phrase from Leslie Nielsen's Frank Drebbin character, "Please move along. There's nothing to see here." NFL Films is shooting this game with some throwaway cameras.

Philadelphia 10, San Diego 9.

The Jets can't possibly play as bad as they did last week, and the Patriots can't possibly play as well, either.

New England 27, New York Jets 24.