Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Lions showing desire to play without Sanders

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Sept. 24, 1999 | 10:07 a.m.

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

Dear Coach Ross and Detroit Lions personnel,

Greetings. My name is Barry Sanders and I used to play for you guys. Perhaps you remember me. I'm the guy who quit unexpectedly despite having a good chance to break the all-time rushing record this year.

I didn't have a fight with the boss or get turned down for a raise or anything like that. As you know, I was usually pretty quiet on the job, usually rushing to get things done. I was always considered one of the big movers and shakers. I was even willing to work overtime if we could get that far.

But during my summer vacation in London, I made a decision. I said at the time, "My desire to play the game isn't as strong as my desire to leave it."

I figured I'd take some time off, collect a little unemployment, that kind of thing. But after a few weeks I realized how much I missed my job, so I amended my previous statement, effectively saying:

"My desire to play the game with my current employer isn't as strong as my desire to play the game for someone else."

So I put in a request for a transfer. I thought that the main office should be able to find a better environment for me, especially with my resume, and I was certainly willing to relocate. Just my way of saying thanks.

But a funny thing happened on the way to finding a new workplace. Many of the previously successful operations where I envisioned myself possibly working have gone through sudden decreases in productivity.

The two defending conference champs, the Broncos and Falcons, each have posted losses in their first two games. In the storied history of the NFL, this has never happened.

What's more, these teams only lost two games all of last year. And Minnesota lost last week to match its regular-season total for 1998.

The Jets are 0-2 and the Packers and 49ers could easily have joined them -- each had a fourth-quarter rally to salvage a 1-1 start.

All the while, business is booming at my old workplace. Nobody expected you guys to flourish without me there to handle much of the workload -- notching wins over the Seahawks and the Packers and taking sole possession of first place in the division. In case you guys didn't know, a win this Sunday at Kansas City would mark your first 3-0 start since 1980.

Congratulations. It looks like your desire to play the game well without me was greater than my desire to believe it.

Still job-hunting,

Barry

Two out of three isn't bad, unless of course those two are wrong. Back-to-back 5-10 weeks against the spread prove that with a little hard work, anyway can reach a dependable level of consistency. I was 9-6 on over/unders and 9-6 straight-up.

Against the spread: 10-20.

Over/unders: 14-15-1.

Straight-up: 18-12.

SAN FRANCISCO -2 1/2 at Arizona, over 46 1/2 1/2 -- At least in recent years, the 49ers always seem to strike gold on Monday nights. The Cardinals are the NFL's Not-Yet-Ready-For-Prime-Time Players. San Francisco 31, Arizona 20.

TAMPA BAY -2 1/2 vs. Denver, under 38 -- Trent Dilfer has already had one of his fumbles returned for a touchdown, an interception returned for a score, and last week he fumbled away a safety. He has allowed more points than the Tampa Bay defense, and that figure won't change, even with Dilfer on the sidelines with an injury. That's probably the best place for him, anyway. Tampa Bay 16, Denver 10.

NEW YORK JETS +1 vs. Washington, under 44 -- The Jets are reeling, and the Redskins are playing on the same field in which they put up half a hundred points last week. But it's still Bill Parcells vs. Norv Turner. New York Jets 19, Washington 14.

DETROIT +4 1/2 at Kansas City, over 37 1/2 -- Detroit already has more than the usual lion's share of victories in the early going, but 3-0 isn't out of the question, either. Detroit 24, Kansas City 17.

SEATTLE +4 1/2 at Pittsburgh, under 37 1/2 -- Despite two division road wins, Pittsburgh may stumble as long as the Bus is frequently stopping on the sidelines to nurse his injured hamstring. The Seahawks have been lackluster offensively, but their big play defense will shine against error-prone Kordell Stewart. Seattle 16, Pittsburgh 10.

St. Louis +1 1/2 vs. Atlanta, under 40 -- Everyone who saw Jamal Anderson walk off the field Monday night knew that he would be just fine. Guaranteed contracts will do that to you. St. Louis 20, Atlanta 17.

BUFFALO -11 1/2 vs. Philadelphia, under 37 1/2 -- We always knew Doug Flutie could throw well and run exceptionally well, but perhaps the biggest play of Buffalo's victory last week over the Jets came when he laid a perfect block on All-Pro Mo Lewis to spring his running back for a touchdown. Flutie would probably return kickoffs and play defensive back in nickel situations if the coaches would allow it. Against the Eagles, his regular quarterbacking duties will be all that is necessary. Buffalo 31, Philadelphia 14.

CAROLINA -7 vs. Cincinnati, under 41 -- With Jeff Blake injured, the torn and ruptured Bengals are Akili's to heal. No chance. Carolina 23, Cincinnati 13.

BALTIMORE -12 vs. Cleveland, under 36 1/2 -- The Ravens should have no problem forming a game plan on how to play the Browns, considering that's the team they used to be. The new Browns' growing pains continue. Baltimore 20, Cleveland 7.

JACKSONVILLE -9 1/2 vs. Tennessee, under 45 1/2 -- Unless the Titans tighten on defense against the Jaguars, the offensive show will be too much for Neil O'Donnell to match. Jacksonville 34, Tennessee 17.

INDIANAPOLIS pick at San Diego, under 44 1/2 -- At last, Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf FINALLY get to square off and ... whoops. Indianapolis 20, San Diego 12.

MINNESOTA -1 at Green Bay, under 48 -- Randy Moss, Chris Carter and forgotten man Jake Reed get to run routes against Leroy Butler and three rookies in the Packers' secondary. Moss has another breakout game at Lambeau. Minnesota 27, Green Bay 19.

OAKLAND -7 vs. Chicago, under 38 -- After missing a last-second field goal that would have won the game for Chicago, the Bears cut rookie kicker Brian Gowins. That wasn't too surprising, especially with the anticipated return of Jeff Jaegar from injury. But it marked the third time this season Gowins has been cut from the team. Billy Martin didn't get fired and re-hired this often. Jaegar watches his old team score late to cover. Oakland 20, Chicago 10.

NEW YORK GIANTS +6 1/2 at New England, under 43 1/2 -- When these teams last met in 1996, the Giants led 22-0 at halftime but the Patriots rallied to win 23-22. This time around, the Giants hang on in another squeaker. New York Giants 17, New England 16.