Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Chargers find secret to success — just take a week off and watch

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Sept. 17, 1999 | 10:05 a.m.

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

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San Diego Chargers -- 1999 AFC West Champions.

A bit premature? Perhaps. A tad unrealistic? Maybe so.

But after one week, this is a fact -- the Chargers are in sole possession of first place in their division, and in the most unlikely fashion.

They haven't even stepped on the field.

The Chargers cashed in on losses by Denver, Seattle, Kansas City and Oakland and proudly stand a half-game ahead of the field in the AFC West, despite a .000 winning percentage.

San Diego has discovered the secret to NFL success, with the help of the new schedule makers. Despite having the week off, the Chargers scored as many points as the Browns, had only five fewer first downs than the Giants and suffered one less injury to their starting quarterback than the Jets.

The irony is that of the four teams that did play in their division, the two big favorites -- the Broncos and Seahawks -- lost decisively, and field-goal favorite Kansas City trailed throughout its game at Chicago. Only the Raiders, a nine-point underdog at Green Bay, had a shot at victory, until Brett Favre spoiled it in the final two minutes.

Favre's game-winning TD pass accounted for one of four games decided in the final 15 seconds of regulation -- an NFL record. And that figure doesn't include Dallas' four-touchdown rally to beat Washington in overtime.

The Chargers also had a much better week than I did. Best bet Tampa Bay allowed a fumble return for a score, had an interception returned for a touchdown and allowed a field goal after another turnover on their side of the field. That was all the offense the Giants needed -- and about all they got -- to win their opener.

For the record

I was hoping to nickel-and-dime my way to a better start this season, but 5-10 isn't what I meant.

Against the spread: 5-10.

Over/unders: 5-9-1.

Straight-up: 9-6.

Top of the line

DENVER -3 1/2 at Kansas City, under 40 1/2 -- It's doubtful any Broncos will be late leaving their hotel Sunday morning after the wake-up call they received last week. Gunther Cunningham's squad looked miserable against the Bears last week, mostly because it is. Denver 24, Kansas City 10.

Other games

Green Bay -6 at Detroit, over 44 -- After upsetting Mike Holmgren's new team last week, the Lions follow up with a shot at his old one. Green Bay rebounds from a sluggish opener. Green Bay 34, Detroit 17.

MINNESOTA -11 vs. Oakland, over 47 1/2 -- Picture this: Randall Cunningham gets a little banged up, and in steps Jeff George. The former Raiders QB has always had trouble getting the ball to players in Oakland uniforms -- this time, it actually helps his team. Minnesota 40, Oakland 21.

ARIZONA +9 at Miami, under 41 -- These Cards aren't willing to play a game of Go Fish, but Miami's win at Denver shows that it's the real deal. Miami 21, Arizona 16.

JACKSONVILLE -9 1/2 at Carolina, over 45 -- The Carolina faithful probably thought Hurricane Floyd would cause the most damage this week. Wrong. Jacksonville 30, Carolina 17.

BALTIMORE +2 1/2 vs. Pittsburgh, over 38 -- The Steelers will become the first of many teams to suffer from Overconfident-After-Whipping-Cleveland syndrome. Baltimore 21, Pittsburgh 20.

INDIANAPOLIS +4 1/2 at New England, over 46 1/2 -- Both teams are winners here, simply for making the right decisions on draft day -- Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf last year, and Drew Bledsoe over Rick Mirer six seasons ago. This time, take the younger horse. Indianapolis 31, New England 24.

WASHINGTON +2 1/2 at New York Giants, under 41 -- The Redskins started celebrating a little too early last week and it cost them. This week, they actually play four quarters. Washington 20, New York Giants 17.

SEATTLE -3 1/2 at Chicago, under 39 -- The Seahawks need a quick turnaround after last week's humiliating home loss. The Bears cooperate. Seattle 26, Chicago 7.

PHILADELPHIA +6 1/2 vs Tampa Bay, under 36 -- Trent Dilfer rebounds from last week's performance by only turning the ball over three times. Tampa Bay 10, Philadelphia 9.

CINCINNATI -1 vs. San Diego, under 40 1/2 -- The Chargers aren't accustomed to dealing with the pressures of being in first place, so expect them to falter. Cincinnati 23, San Diego 16.

NEW ORLEANS +10 1/2 at San Francisco, over 43 -- The 0-1 team that was spanked 41-3 in its opener is a double-digit favorite over the 1-0 team. The 49ers even their mark, but not in a runaway. San Francisco 27, New Orleans 19.

CLEVELAND +16 at Tennessee, under 40 -- I wonder what the number would have been had the Titans played well in their opener. Sixteen is still too sweet to pass up. Tennessee 22, Cleveland 9.

BUFFALO -4 vs. New York Jets, over 42 -- With Rick Mirer, the Jets are D-O-N-E, done, done, done. Buffalo 29, New York Jets 16.

ATLANTA +6 1/2 at Dallas, under 42 1/2 -- Chris Chandler is injured -- gee, that took a while -- but Dallas' defense isn't at full strength, either. This one should be close througout. Dallas 16, Atlanta 13.