The Nfl

FOOLING PHILLY

Just think what everybody would be saying about the Chiefs if Nick Lowery hadn't missed a 20-yard field goal during regulation in an overtime loss in Houston on Sept. 20 and if John Elway hadn't sliced open the Kansas City defense for two touchdowns in two minutes in Denver on Oct. 4. "We're two plays from being 6-0," says K.C. nosetackle Bill Maas.

The Chiefs have coach Marty Schottenheimer to thank for their 24-17 upset of the previously unbeaten Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. Schottenheimer is a run guy, and everyone in the league knows it. Kansas City had been averaging 33 rushes and 25 passes a game.

So what did Schottenheimer do? He had quarterback Dave Krieg air it out, mostly with play-action passes. The backs ran the ball six times in the first three quarters, after which K.C. had Philadelphia in a 21-3 hole. "We came into the game thinking they were going to shove the ball down our throats." said Eagle linebacker Seth Joyner afterward. "The play-action killed us."

Over the years Schottenheimer has gained a reputation for being stubbornly conservative; he'll run and play clock ball even if situations suggest that he should open it up. That reputation helped him put one over on Philly. "You've got to respect what the Eagles can do," said Schottenheimer. "They play run defense as well as any team I've seen. You can't run the ball against Philadelphia. You adjust."

ADVICE OF THE WEEK

It's unsolicited, but it's free:

?Smell the coffee, Deion. Because Deion Sanders made what the Braves believed was a commitment to play for them during the baseball postseason, he shouldn't have left the team and commuted 1,000 miles to play for the Falcons on Sunday. Even some of his football teammates, who have supported Sanders's two-sport life-style in the past, were appalled by his jet-set weekend.

It's clear the Falcons have a double standard when it comes to Sanders, who is allowed to play on Sunday despite missing practice during the week. "Double standard?" said one Falcon after the team's 21-17 loss to the Dolphins in Miami. "He's taken it to a new degree. Deion has created the double double standard. This isn't about loyalty. This is about dollars."

?Ignore the full-court press, Ray. Giant coach Ray Handley is one of the smartest men on any NFL sideline. But, boy, is he dumb when it comes to dealing with the press. Stop reading the papers, Ray! Stop watching the local TV sportscasts! Who cares what they say? How can any of that help you win games?