Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Maddox, McDonald spark L.A. power play

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Feb. 16, 2001 | 11:09 a.m.

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

Trailing by two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter against underdog Chicago, the Los Angeles Xtreme was facing a very grim reality:

No team has ever started 0-2 and still won the XFL championship.

OK, so it's the league's first season. But with only a 10-game regular season, a two-game deficit isn't easy to overcome.

Los Angeles' home opener was delayed because of a power outage in California -- what's new -- and for most of the game, quarterback Tommy Maddox and his L.A. offense did their share to help conserve energy. But with $2,500 per player in bonus money at stake, somebody was likely to blow a fuse.

Maddox threw four touchdown passes, including two in overtime sessions, and Darnell McDonald lit up the Enforcers' secondary with 17 receptions for 190 yards as the Los Angelenos rallied for a 39-32 win. Included in McDonald's offensive barrage was a 20-yard touchdown catch on a do-or-die play in the first overtime.

However, despite the gaudy numbers, it wasn't even the best professional outing for McDonald, who once caught 19 passes in a game for Barcelona of NFL Europe.

If Maddox and McDonald continue to click as they did last week at crunch time, it could be lights out for the rest of the XFL.

For the record

I was 3-0-1 against the spread last week, and could easily have been 4-0. Chicago blew a 12-point fourth-quarter lead and lost by 7 in double overtime for the only push against the points. The season mark stands at 5-2-1.

Saturday's games

SAN FRANCISCO +4 at Memphis -- The Maniax were five-point favorites last week, a tough number to cover when you only score three points. They'll put a TD on the board this week, but it won't be enough. San Francisco 20, Memphis 14.

LOS ANGELES +1 1/2 at Las Vegas -- The Outlaws haven't allowed a touchdown in their first two contests, and scored on fumble returns last week, including a 100-yard, um, dash by Kurt Gouveia. But give the longtime NFL veteran credit -- he wisely used up much of the third quarter during his return. But Los Angeles' speed could pose a problem. If the Xtreme can get off to a fast start -- something it has been unable to do in its first two games -- Las Vegas will struggle trying to catch up without injured starting quarterback Ryan Clement. Los Angeles 26, Las Vegas 17.

Sunday's games

BIRMINGHAM -3 vs. Chicago -- The Enforcers are a tough 0-2, losing close road games to Orlando and Los Angeles. Three-game road trips are tough in any league, especially when you have never played at home. Birmingham 22, Chicago 16.

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY +5 1/2 vs. Orlando -- NY/NJ is still NO in the win column, and that isn't likely to change against the Rage, but much-maligned Hitmen signal-caller Charlie Puleri is due for a better performance. Orlando 23, New York/New Jersey 20.