Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Rams’ failed motto: ‘Don’t let anyone get behind you’

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Nov. 12, 1999 | 9:02 a.m.

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

I'm not exactly sure how every NFL team operates their defensive huddle, but I can take a pretty good guess what the team captain would say when the opposition is facing a fourth-and-26, and the punting unit is not on the field.

Instead of calling a zone blitz, line stunt, cover-two formation or any of the complexities associated with today's NFL defensive schemes, I'm sure the message would be much simpler.

"Don't jump offsides. Don't hit anyone out of bounds. And most of all, don't let anyone get behind you."

Such was the situation facing the St. Louis Rams' defense in Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. Nursing a 27-24 lead, the Rams had just sacked backup quarterback Gus Frerrote on a third down play, prompting the Lions to call a timeout with 1:17 remaining.

All the Rams had to do was prevent Detroit from gaining 26 yards and they would retake possession, run out the clock and leave the Pontiac Silverdome with a victory.

"OK, everybody under 280 pounds drop back about 15 yards. Watch out for the hook-and-lateral play. You three big guys rush. And most of all, don't let anyone get behind you."

It's likely that someone called out "shotgun" during the huddle -- but not making a reference to the Lions' formation. They were just claiming a window seat on the plane ride home. After all, the odds on gaining 26 yards on any play -- particularly when the defense knows you need to gain that much to keep the ball -- is remote at best.

"OK guys, to calculate a PE ratio, you divide the stock price by the earnings by share. And one more thing -- don't let anyone get behind you."

It's ridiculous that Lions wide receiver Germane Crowell was able to get behind the Rams' secondary, beating cornerback Dexter McCleon to the football for a 57-yard gain. A few plays later, Johnnie Morton scored the game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds left, propelling the Lions to a 31-27 win and the best record in the NFC.

How McCleon allowed this play to happen is something I'll never understand, but on the plane ride home, I doubt McCleon let any teammates sit behind him.

For the record

Minnesota's rally from 17 points down to cover against Dallas on Monday salvaged a 7-7 week against the number, soured by top pick St. Louis' fold against the Lions.

Top of the line: 2-6-1.

Against the spread: 59-64-4.

Over/unders: 70-54-3.

Straight up: 72-55.

Top of the line

INDIANAPOLIS -3 at New York Giants, under 41 1/2 -- The Colts are 6-1-1 against the number, and seem unstoppable on offense. Kent Graham, beware: Each of the last five quarterback to face the Colts have had subsequent injuries. Although in the Giants' case, I'm not sure it would matter much. Indianapolis 22, New York Giants 17.

Other games

MIAMI +3 at Buffalo, over 37 -- The Bills gave the Dolphins' their only loss in this fairy tale season, but that was when Miami allowed teams to score. The Dolphins are riding a streak of 14 consecutive quarters, a feat even the fabled "no name" defense of the unbeaten 1972 team cannot claim. That club also proved a good backup QB can get the job done -- thus far, Damon Huard's storybook play has acted as the Morrell to this story. Miami 24, Buffalo 19.

MINNESOTA -6 1/2 vs. Chicago, under 43 -- The spirit of Walter Payton may have been the 12th man on the field when the Bears blocked a last-second field goal in an uplifting win over Green Bay, but Chicago will need a few more defenders to down Randy Moss and Chris Carter. Minnesota 33, Chicago 7.

SAN FRANCISCO -1 vs. New Orleans, under 38 1/2 -- Former Stanford star Steve Stenstrom starts for stumbling San Francisco. Still, the Saints' struggles stretch beyond that. They stink. San Francisco 20, New Orleans 16.

KANSAS CITY +3 at Tampa Bay, under 34 1/2 -- Now that Trent Dilfer has convinced Tony Dungy that he can be a functional NFL quarterback once again, it's time to start betting against him. Kansas City 17, Tampa Bay 13.

PITTSBURGH -14 1/2 at Cleveland, under 34 1/2 -- Rematch from one of the worst football games ever played, when the Browns opened the season with only two first downs in a 43-0 drubbing at the hands of the Steelers. After rudely welcoming Cleveland back into the league, don't expect Pittsburgh to be much more hospitable at home. Pittsburgh 28, Cleveland 6.

TENNESSEE -10 at Cincinnati, over 41 -- Last week, Tennessee was shut out for the first time in 10 years. The Oilers/Titans string of 155 games without being blanked was second only to the 49ers' remarkable ongoing string of 346 games. News flash: They'll score on Sunday. Several times. Tennessee 31, Cincinnati 20.

WASHINGTON -6 at Philadelphia, under 42 -- After three seasons playing for the unappreciative fans in Philadelphia, Irving Fryar roasts his former team. Washington 27, Philadelphia 9.

ST. LOUIS -10 vs. Carolina, under 48 1/2 -- The Panthers have won three straight in St. Louis, but the Rams are 4-0 at home this year and have outscored opponents by a blistering 138-40 clip. That's an average score of 35-10, Carolina is a pretty average team. St. Louis 35, Carolina 10.

BALTIMORE +13 at Jacksonville, under 37 -- The top two defenses in the AFC face each other. The Ravens, surprisingly, have not allowed a 100-yard rusher or receiver this season. I hate to back Tony Banks, but this is too many points for a defense this good. Jacksonville 23, Baltimore 13.

SAN DIEGO +7 at Oakland, over 36 -- San Diego always gets charged up to play the Raiders -- last year's games both finished within a 7-point margin. A late field goal wins it for Oakland. Oakland 20, San Diego 17.

GREEN BAY -3 vs. DALLAS, under 38 -- The Cowboys have lost four-of-five and for the first time since in this decade, they will be without Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, all of whom are injured. Green Bay continues to disappoint, but health is on their side. Green Bay 20, Dallas 14.

DETROIT -5 1/2 at Arizona, over 35 -- The Lions are 6-1 against the spread -- and straight up -- as underdogs. Detroit lost, however, in its only role as a favorite this year, to Bobby Ross' old team, San Diego. Even so, Dave Brown is no match for the silver and blue. Detroit 29, Arizona 14.

SEATTLE -6 vs. Denver, over 41 -- Now that Seattle is clicking on all cylinders and looking like a serious playoff contender, Joey Galloway is ready to ruin their chemistry. But Mike Holmgren is too smart to let Galloway's circus interfere with what the Seahawks have worked to establish. Seattle 30, Denver 14.

NEW ENGLAND -6 vs. New York Jets, under 37 -- The Big Tuna has done well in meetings against his former club, but injuries have kept his team swimming upstream all season. New England 23, New York Jets 7.