Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Forget adding teams — first worry about boosting ratings

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, March 23, 2001 | 9:56 a.m.

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

Maybe there is some definition of expansion that I'm not finding in Webster's.

That's the only explanation I can give for the headline on a press release I received this week that said "XFL expansion committee to visit Washington, D.C."

To this point, the only thing the XFL should try to expand is the number to the right of the decimal point in its plummeting TV ratings, just to make it seem bigger.

Especially since at the current pace, there soon may not be a number at the left of the decimal point.

The expansion league claims it aims to add two teams as early as next season. Suggestion: Make at least one of them the Sopranos.

You can't fault the league for setting high goals -- but the timing of the newly formed panel certainly is suspect.

The nation's capital does seem like a logical place to start though, since the Dow is about the only thing dropping faster than the league's ratings these days.

Meanwhile, the teams that do exist all have a chance at the playoffs, with Orlando the only team to have guaranteed a postseason berth. Because the final three games on each team's schedule are rematches within the division, the races could get even tighter.

For the record

A second straight bad week -- this time 1-3 against the number -- drops the season mark to 14-12-2. A last-second loss by Memphis still stings a bit. All four home teams covered the spread.

Saturday's games

LAS VEGAS +3 1/2 at Los Angeles -- Since falling 12-9 to the Xtreme in the season's third week, the Outlaws have been like in-laws in the Western Division race to keep pace with L.A. -- they just won't go away, no matter how much you'd like them to leave. Los Angeles 24, Las Vegas 22.

MEMPHIS +4 at San Francisco -- The loser here is all but eliminated from the playoff race. The Demons won 13-6 at Memphis five weeks ago -- the Maniax return the favor. Memphis 23, San Francisco 20.

Sunday's games

CHICAGO -6 1/2 vs. Birmingham -- Early in the season, the then-winless Enforcers were driving for a go-ahead score against Birmingham in the final minute. A pass tipped off the hands of Tyji Armstrong and was returned 98 yards for a score. After a change of QBs for each team -- Kevin McDougal taking over for Chicago and Jay Barker replacing the injured Casey Weldon for the Thunderbolts -- the teams have gone in opposite directions. Chicago continues its roll. Chicago 29, Birmingham 16.

NEW YORK +7 at Orlando -- With a playoff spot secured and Jeff Brohm out for the rest of the season, the Rage -- which trailed by nine points in the fourth quarter before rallying to win in their first meeting with the Hitmen -- is vulnerable. Orlando 19, New York 16.