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Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Rams' High-Scoring Has Linemakers in Frenzy

It's a pretty rare occurrence when you see an over/under line in an NFL game where the first digit is a five, particularly during the regular season.

Usually, the total-points lines range from the mid- to low-30s, when two weak offenses or strong defenses are playing against each other, and up to the high 40s for the more potent offenses. Occasionally you'll see a line scrape over the 50 mark.

In the past 10 years, the highest total at kickoff for any NFL game was 52, in a 1990 midseason clash between then-juggernauts Cincinnati and Atlanta. For the record, the line was pick 'em, and the total went over as the silly Falcons won 38-17.

That was before the emergence of the St. Louis Rams, the NFL's answer to Arena Football. St. Louis poured 526 points on the board last year, the third-highest total in league history.

This year, they've even stepped up it a notch. Through two games, they have 78 points -- a pace to score 624 for the season. This week, they face a San Francisco defense that could give up three touchdowns during a bye week.

Rumor has it they're installing an extra set of bulbs to accommodate another digit on the left side of the Rams scoreboard, just in case.

The Rams are having trouble stopping other teams from scoring, too, allowing 70 points in two games -- murderous numbers for mortal clubs.

So it figured that this might be one of those instances where the total-points bet could be on the high side. I expected a 50, maybe a 51.

But 57? Eight touchdowns and change? That's a steak sauce, not an NFL total.

"We knew the general impression is that the San Francisco defense hasn't stopped anybody yet and it will be hard for them to match up with that offense, as it is for any team," said Jason Been, an oddsmaker with Las Vegas Sports Consultants Inc., which sets the opening lines on sporting events.

The total opened at 53, and that line was obliterated in an erasure that would make Carl Everett proud. The number sped quickly past 55, heading down a road that some have never seen.

"For a regular season line, that's as high as any of us can remember," added Been, who said Las Vegas oddsmakers have made NFL totals since the late '70s.

One thing is certain -- the umpire had better apply a little extra deodorant, because if the bettors are right, he could be raising his arms a lot this weekend.

Last week

The Saints marched in, but the rest of the band of picks couldn't step it up and I went 1-3-1 against the point spread, dropping the season ledger to 4-5-1.

My top five

CLEVELAND +2 1/2 vs. Pittsburgh -- On the other side of the Rams are the Pittsburgh Steelers. I have a hard time laying points with this club, particularly since they still haven't scored any. Granted, the Steelers had last week off, but the Browns still remember the 43-0 whipping Pittsburgh laid on them at home last year.

Pick: Cleveland 20, Pittsburgh 10.

SEATTLE -6 vs. New Orleans -- The Seahawks got slapped around in their opener but rebounded with a spirited St. Louis effort. The Saints rallied to beat San Diego, but NFL bylaws prohibit them from having a winning record.

Pick: Seattle 27, New Orleans 10.

DENVER +3 at Oakland -- The Raiders are coming off a furious rally at Indianapolis last week, but Denver owns them -- the Broncos have won four straight and nine of 10 overall in this intradivisional rivalry.

Pick: Denver 23, Oakland 20.

NEW ENGLAND -1 vs. Minnesota -- Drew Bledsoe had better make sure his arm is loose -- the last time these teams played a Foxboro, Bledsoe set NFL single-game records with 45 completions and 70 attempts in a 26-20 overtime win. Minnesota has more talent, but the Patriots are coming off two tough losses and desperately need a win.

Pick: New England 20, Minnesota 17.

KANSAS CITY -4 1/2 vs. San Diego -- I'm already 0-2 on the Chiefs this year, but I'm a glutton for punishment. Ryan Leaf isn't starting this week, still haunted by the memories of the last game he played at Kansas City, when he was 1-for-15 for 4 yards. Unfortunately, Moses Moreno can't part this Red Sea of defenders, either.

Pick: Kansas City 21, San Diego 10.

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