Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Don’t discount play of special teams

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Jan. 12, 2001 | 10:35 a.m.

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

There's a sports adage that says a good defense always can stop a good offense. It proves even more true in football during postseason play. But it's become more evident each week that nothing can stop good special teams play.

The performance of special teams always is a variable for handicappers. It's the X factor that often can give a team a big W.

It still takes strong defense to advance in the playoffs, but the addition of big plays in the kicking game adds another dimension.

Last week, Tennessee blocked two punts deep in Baltimore territory, but uncharacteristically missed three field goals. The Ravens made the big play when it counted most, blocking one of the kicks and returning it 90 yards for a touchdown. Baltimore added a defensive touchdown and sent the AFC's top seed home.

It was a strange twist of fate for the Titans, who last year parlayed the most memorable special teams play in recent history -- the Music City Miracle -- into a Super Bowl run.

The Bills, in fact, still haven't recovered.

On the final play in last year's wildcard game against Buffalo, Lorenzo Neal fielded a squib kick and pitched it back to Frank Wycheck, who faked a return and threw a cross-field lateral to Kevin Dyson. Dyson ran up the left sideline for a game-winning touchdown, which led to the firing of Buffalo's special teams coach.

The new special teams coach for Buffalo did something that had never been done before: Buffalo finished the 2000 season last in kickoff return average, last in punt return average, worst in the average yards allowed on kickoffs, and worst in the average yards allowed on punt returns. In short, Buffalo had the worst field position in every facet of special teams play.

Yet, Buffalo's head coach, Wade Phillips, refused to fire him, presumably because he was almost guaranteed to show improvement the next year. After all, he couldn't do any worse, could he? When the Bills' brass was told Phillips wouldn't drop the ax, the team fired Phillips instead.

The Giants also have gotten into the act on kick returns, opening their postseason with a long touchdown return by Ron Dixon that gave New York a lead it would never relinquish.

A fumbled punt by Az-Zahir Hakim doomed a furious Rams rally in the wildcard round against New Orleans earlier in the playoffs -- a rally that was ignited by a long punt return by Hakim earlier in the quarter.

Yeah, I suppose defense wins championships. Of the four teams left alive, three are known for strong defensive units. The other, Minnesota, put forth its best defensive effort of the season last week, allowing its second-fewest point total and dominating throughout.

But big plays on special teams can drive a stake right through the heart of any Super Bowl hopeful.

Last week

I was 1-3 last week against the number, getting only the Raiders correct.

NFC Championship

NEW YORK GIANTS +2 vs. Minnesota -- Daunte Culpepper, welcome to real big time playoff football, outdoors. Good luck, kid. The G-men are heading to Tampa. New York Giants 17, Minnesota 13.

AFC Championship

BALTIMORE +5 at Oakland -- The Raiders' dominance over Miami was complete and certainly impressive, but they'll get all they can handle this week. It comes down to -- ta da -- special teams, as first-round draft pick Sebastian Janikowski does his job and sends the Raiders to the big dance. Oakland 13, Baltimore 10.