Columnist Sal DeFilippo: ‘Home, sweet, home’ theme applies to this year’s playoffs

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Jan. 5, 2001 | 9:03 a.m.

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

If only I had watched "The Wizard of Oz" before watching last weekend's wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. If I only had a brain.

Along with melting witches, Dorothy served up some pretty good advice to bettors looking for an edge in the first playoff game.

"There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home."

The teams that positioned themselves with a first-round home game reaped the benefits, winning and covering the spread in all four games as Miami, New Orleans, Baltimore and Philadelphia advanced.

Now, these four teams have to take their shows on the road if they are to reach Super Bowl XXXV. They're won't be any home cooking this time around, but each first-round survivor has something positive to take with them.

The Saints, who play at Minnesota, have perhaps the biggest advantage, since they were better off this season away from the Superdome. Strike-shortened seasons aside, the Saints became the first team with a losing record at home (3-5) to qualify for postseason play. Last weekend, New Orleans wore its road uniforms in beating the Rams, improving their record to 8-1 in white threads.

The Dolphins have won three straight games in Oakland, including a 16-9 decision on Halloween in 1999. This year's Raiders seem to have the mystique back, but the Dolphins historically have played them tough on the West Coast.

Eagles fans also have history on their side: the famed Miracle at the Meadowlands in the late 1970s. In that game, the Giants -- who had the lead and could have ended the game by simply taking a knee -- fumbled a handoff on the game's final play and Herman Edwards returned the ball for the game-winning touchdown. The Eagles have lost twice to the Giants this year, but they're no stranger to East Rutherford, N.J., and shouldn't be affected by the crowd.

Baltimore's edge is simple: The Ravens are the only team ever to beat Tennessee at Adelphia Stadium, the Titans' home for the past two seasons. The Ravens won 24-23 in October against the defending AFC champs.

As the road to the final four reaches the home stretch:

Last week

I was 2-2 against the spread during the first weekend of the postseason, winning with Miami and Philadelphia and losing with Denver and the Rams.

Divisional playoffs

NEW ORLEANS +7 1/2 at Minnesota -- The amazing Saints keep watching skill players get hurt, and keep winning. Joe Horn, who blossomed at wide receiver with 94 catches, left early in last week's game with an injury. Willie Jackson steps in and scores three touchdowns. The Saints' defense has stayed healthy, however, and they should keep it in this one until the end. Minnesota 27, New Orleans 24.

OAKLAND -8 vs. Miami -- Lamar Smith will have to have another superior effort for Miami to advance. Except Jon Gruden to crowd the line of scrimmage and challenge Jay Fiedler to beat him. Don't expect Fiedler to get it done. Oakland 27, Miami 17.

PHILADELPHIA +5 1/2 at New York Giants -- The Eagles' ruffle Jim Fassel's feathers early, but Tiki proves to be a tough bird and New York flies into the NFC Championship. New York 20, Philadelphia 17.

TENNESSEE - 4 1/2 vs. Baltimore -- The Titans won't need any black magic to stop the Ravens. They just need to put a big Kearse on Trent Dilfer. Tennessee 19, Baltimore 7.