Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Chargers bolt to the bottom of the class, secure top draft pick

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Dec. 22, 2000 | 9:47 a.m.

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

While the Saints, Lions, Jets, Rams, Buccaneers, Steelers, Packers and Colts were all battling to save their playoff hopes last weekend, another key NFL race was being decided.

Going into this weekend, the Dolphins, Jets and Lions can secure the three remaining available spots with wins, but one team already has its mission accomplished.

Nobody can touch the Chargers.

By completing its perfect 0-8 season on the road with a ferocious come-from-ahead loss to Carolina, the Chargers can set up shop in New York until April and make the first pick in next year's draft. But it wasn't easy.

After a discouraging preseason in which the Chargers didn't lose a single game, there might have been some concern that San Diego might not live up to such lofty draft expectations. But an 0-11 start had positioned the Chargers behind everyone, and last week it was time for the kill.

For a while, though, it looked like the Lightning Bolts might actually strike twice this season. In an obvious act of jealousy, Ryan Leaf -- the guy San Diego was forced to take behind Peyton Manning when it failed to lock up the top draft spot three years ago -- had led San Diego to an eight-point lead. What an ingrate. Wins against the Panthers and Steelers in their final games would put San Diego at risk of losing this year's top selection, depending on the NFL tie-breaking system. Three teams -- Cleveland, Atlanta and Arizona -- are heading for three-win seasons, with the Browns clinching a 3-13 finish during a spirited and convincing loss against Tennessee.

The Cardinals nearly faltered with a win against Baltimore, but with a road game against Washington to close their schedule, a 3-13 mark is a near-certainty. Arizona's road record is also without a blemish at 0-7.

The Falcons were overmatched by the Saints, so only a loss to 7-8 Kansas City remains for Atlanta to culminate a 3-13 mark.

Cincinnati blew a golden opportunity by choking in the final seconds and beating Jacksonville for a fourth victory.

But this was San Diego's pick to win, because it controlled its own destiny. In spite of Leaf, the Bolts used key special teams plays to mount an inverted comeback.

The Chargers missed several key tackles on a 64-yard punt return for one Panthers touchdown, and later alertly failed to touch Doug Evans as he recovered a blocked field goal. Evans got up off the ground and went 54 yards for another score, cementing San Diego's most exhilarating loss of the 2000 campaign.

Having clinched the top spot, the Chargers could even afford a victory against Pittsburgh this week, so they'll likely rest a few starters. With Houston joining the league in 2002 and fewer high picks to be available, teams have to think ahead, you know.

Last week

Another 1-4 week against the number urges me to remind you that if you hurry and bet against my picks this weekend, you might have a little extra cash for some late Christmas shopping. I picked five favorites last week. Favored teams were 3-11-1 against the spread. The 49ers' demolishing of the Bears was the only salvation.

My top five

WASHINGTON -7 1/2 over Arizona -- I rooted against Daniel Snyder's attempt to buy a Super Bowl as much as the next guy, but it is Christmas, after all. Washington 24, Arizona 10.

GREEN BAY -2 1/2 vs. Tampa Bay -- I just wanna see those ridiculous temperature stats -- Brett Favre is 25-0 in games played under 34 degrees, and Tampa Bay is 0-18 in its 25-year history in games played below freezing. At Lambeau in December, both categories should apply. Green Bay 20, Tampa Bay 13.

CHICAGO +10 at Detroit -- Fact: The furthest the Bears penetrated against the 49ers last week was during the coin flip. They never crossed midfield, other than to chase after Terrell Owens, maybe. Despite that, they'll push the Lions to the limit, just to keep the Rams interested. Detroit 20, Chicago 19.

NEW YORK JETS +6 1/2 at Baltimore -- Maybe what it takes to solve the Ravens' defense is one of their ex-quarterbacks. Baltimore is tough, but the Jets are likely to pull everything out of their playbook in this one. New York Jets 14, Baltimore 13.

TENNESSEE -13 1/2 vs. Dallas -- Whether it matters in the home-field race or not, Jeff Fisher will have his team ready for postseason. Merry Christmas, everyone. Tennessee 34, Dallas 20.