What’s My Line? ‘Backdoor’ cover can wreak havoc

Friday, Sept. 11, 1998 | 10:44 a.m.

SAL DEFILIPPO, news editor of the Las Vegas SUN, frequently deposits funds into the accounts of sports books throughout Southern Nevada. His column appears Fridays throughout football season. He can be reached on the Internet at sal@lasvegassun.com

I COULD SEE IT a mile away, even at Mile High Stadium.

It started with Mike Shanahan, the Denver Broncos.

You know, offensive genius. One of the most-respected coaches in the NFL. Super Bowl winner last season.

So why wouldn't Shanahan opt to try a two-point conversion on Monday, nursing a 26-14 lead against New England?

Instead, Shanahan sends out the kicking team and takes the easier extra point to go ahead by 13, late in the third quarter. It seemed insignificant at the time, but set the stage for every bettor's nightmare -- the "backdoor" cover, wagering lingo for a team that scores a late touchdown that doesn't help it win, but allows it to cover the spread.

I faced double jeopardy, because not only did I pick the Broncos at minus 7, but I had the total points under 46 1/2. A New England touchdown would spoil both plays.

A third-and-7 pass skipped off the hands of a diving Ed McCaffrey with 5:08 to go, forcing Denver to punt, and the unraveling had begun.

New England marched downfield unopposed and scored on a Drew Bledsoe pass to Vincent Brisby with 1:58 left. The Patriots tacked on the extra point en route to a 27-21 final.

Shanahan ought to be forced to address the nation and explain why he has been deceiving the American public, hiding this love affair with the extra point kick. Perhaps a special prosecutor should investigate. Can you impeach a coach?

At least he ought to say he's sorry.

Last week

Denver's gift-wrapped cover, coupled with Steve Christie's missed 40-yard field goal on the game's final play at San Diego, turned a potential 10-win week into a mediocre 8-7. Top pick Tennessee, a slight underdog at Cincinnati, was a winner.

For the season

Against the spread: 8-7, 53.3%

Over/unders: 8-7, 53.3%

Straight-up: 10-5, 66.7%

Top of the line

MINNESOTA -7 1/2 vs. St. Louis, under 43 1/2 --

Mark McGwire probably deserves most of the credit, but the Rams have certainly done their part to help St. Louis fans rediscover baseball.

Minnesota 31, St. Louis 7.

Other games

TAMPA BAY +7 1/2 vs. Green Bay, under 39 1/2 --

The Bucs looked pre-pewter in their embarrassing loss at Minnesota, and lost offseason pickup Bert Emanuel for a few weeks because of an injury. The Packers have won 24 straight games at Lambeau, but don't leap too soon to lay the points.

Green Bay 17, Tampa Bay 14.

BUFFALO +8 at Miami, under 38 --

An hour before kickoff last week, star Buffalo defensive end Bruce Smith told his coach he wasn't "mentally" ready to play. Unfortunately, Christie didn't do the same before his game-losing field goal whiff. This week, Doug Flutie comes out in his Boston College jersey to try to rattle Jimmy Johnson, and it almost works.

Miami 20, Buffalo 14.

PITTSBURGH -11 vs. Chicago, over 41 1/2 --

Pittsburgh won last week and Chicago lost, but neither team really played the way it is capable of playing. Today, expect what you would normally expect.

Pittsburgh 31, Chicago 17.

JACKSONVILLE -3 1/2 vs. Kansas City, over 42 1/2 --

The Chiefs recorded 10 sacks in their season-opening rout of Oakland, including six by Derrick Thomas, one shy of his NFL single-game record. Jeff George went over easy, but Mark Brunell knows how to scramble. Sunny side up for the Jaguars.

Jacksonville 27, Kansas City 23.

BALTIMORE +5 1/2 at New York Jets, over 44 1/2 --

After only one game, Ravens quarterback Jim Harbaugh has a finger injury and an elbow injury, proving he's already in midseason form. Vinny Testaverde watches the Ravens lose again, but this time it isn't his fault.

New York Jets 24, Baltimore 22.

CAROLINA -4 at New Orleans, under 35 --

With Billy Joe Hobert out for the season, the Saints invited, among others, Billy Joe Tolliver for a tryout this week. Maybe Joe Willie Namath should give them a call.

Carolina 17, New Orleans 6.

CINCINNATI +7 at Detroit, over 44 1/2 --

I'll go with the 'dog in this battle of 'cats. Cincinnati has had terrible starts the past few seasons, but it should score enough points here to hang tough.

Detroit 31, Cincinnati 28.

ATLANTA -8 1/2 vs. Philadelphia, over 39 --

The Eagles haven't started 0-2 in eight years, but with both starting cornerbacks injured and Mike Mamula out for the season, that streak is likely to end. Atlanta heads into its bye week at 2-0.

Atlanta 27, Philadelphia 13.

TENNESSEE -7 1/2 vs. San Diego, under 41 --

The Oilers don't need any motivation here, just a reminder. Last season, they opened with a victory before losing four straight games to take them out of the playoff picture. Don't expect a repeat.

Tennessee 21, San Diego 10.

DALLAS +7 1/2 at Denver, under 44 --

Don't read too much into the Cowboys' impressive opener. Last year, they opened with a 37-7 win at Pittsburgh, and finished 6-10. But the Chan Gailey era is off to a good start and the Cowboys will be eager to show what they can do against the world champs.

Denver 21, Dallas 20.

NEW YORK GIANTS +2 vs. Oakland, under 40 1/2 --

Jeff George could get sacked if he quarterbacked from punt formation.

New York Giants 19, Oakland 10.

ARIZONA +8 at Seattle, over 44 1/2 --

Seattle's offense was so smooth last week, it has to clog up at some point. Jake Plummer has the tools to do the job, but Warren Moon isn't ready to go down the drain just yet.

Seattle 27, Arizona 22.

Indianapolis +10 1/2 at New England, under 42 --

Peyton Manning will struggle trying to throw against Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law and friends, but the Patriots aren't strong enough to lay double digits.

New England 23, Indianapolis 16.

SAN FRANCISCO -5 1/2 at Washington, over 43 1/2 --

Dana Stubblefield finally will get to know what it feels like to chase Steve Young around the field. Like many others, he'll never know what it's like to catch him.

San Francisco 37, Washington 21.