Sunday’s slate of games was greatly anticipated after the opening day action on Saturday. The XFL started the day with a huge announcement, San Antonio would play host for the XFL Championship game. After the attendance numbers were released from the 1st week of games, it became a no brainer with the Brahmas having nearly double all other attendance numbers at 24,245.

Game 3: St. Louis Battlehawks 18 vs. San Antonio Brahmas 15

Meltdown at the Dome

The first three quarters of the matchup between the Battlehawks and Brahmas felt as if it was going to be the snoozer game of the weekend. Its was three quarters of defenses asserting their will against the opposing offense. The scoring was minimal with each team trading field goals. Heading into the 4th quarter the score was 6 - 3 Brahmas. A positive for the Brahmas was that they were the first team to establish a balance on offense. Led by Kalen Ballage, formerly with the Miami Dolphins, asserted his downhill running style for 84 yards rushing on 24 carries. The 4th quarter is when the uniqueness of the XFL and its rules were on display. Early in the 4th the Brahmas seemed to put the game to rest scoring a touchdown and field goal as the Battlehawks missed their field goal attempt. There was two minutes left in the game and the score was 15 - 3 Brahmas. The Alamodome was rocking with pride from the home crowd. Then, after an awful game, out of no where AJ McCarron decided to display why he was a 3-time national champion. He led the Battlehawks on a 8 play 71 yard drive for a quick touchdown. The revised XFL PAT rules played key in the outcome of this game. The Battlehawks elected to go for the 3 point conversion from the 10 yard line. The Battlehawks converted the 3-point attempt cutting the lead now to 15 - 12 Brahmas. The Battlehawks then used the other revised rule for replacing the onside kick with a 4th and 15 attempt to retain possession. The Battlehawks again convert and with time running down McCarron leads his team on a second touchdown drive. St. Louis stole the lead with 16 seconds left on the clock. The Battlehawks won the game 18 - 15 with a comeback that could only be experienced in an XFL game. The stars of the game were AJ McCarron 18/26 190 yards and 2 TDs, Austin Proehl 4 rec 49 yards with a game winning TD catch and the aforementioned Kalen Ballage who finished with 24 carries for 84 yards.

Game 4: Seattle Sea Dragons 18 vs. D.C. Defenders 22

Beer Snakes and Homeland Security

The final game of the opening kickoff weekend for XFL 2023 had the preseason favorite Seattle Sea Dragons visiting the D.C. Defenders. The game was arguably the most entertaining of the week as it continuously went back and forth. The starting QB for the Seattle Sea Dragons, Ben Dinucci, came out firing on all cylinders leading the Sea Dragons on a game opening touchdown drive. He scored with style and improvisation by tossing the football backhanded to Josh Gordon for the touchdown. The Sea Dragons padded its lead to end the 1st quarter with a field goal. The Defenders were led by QB Jordan Ta’amu who responded with a touchdown drive to start the 2nd quarter. The defenses for both teams settled in to close out the first half. A missed field goal by the Sea Dragons cemented the score 9 - 8 Sea Dragons at the half. The action picked up in the 3rd quarter with the Sea Dragons driving 56 yards for a touchdown. The Seattle defense seemed to figure out the Defenders’ offensive plan by stifling their offense holding the Defenders to only 52 yards in the 2nd half. During the second half commotion broke out in the stands due to the stadium staff trying to confiscate the infamous beer snake from the Defender faithful. This got the crowd onery and once the stadium staff decided it was not a fight they were willing to see through, the crowd turned up a notch and the Defenders luck followed. The Defenders did what its namesake entails, they defended, and they defended well, forcing two huge interceptions. One turnover for a touchdown and the other also giving the Defenders’ offense a short field. The offense took advantage by scoring a late touchdown to take the lead. The crowd went crazy, while the Sea Dragons had one last opportunity to score and win the game. Ben DiNucci was trying to erase all memories of his two poor turnovers that lost his team the lead. His final drive was lining up to be a drive of glory until the play call came in on 2nd down from the 1 yard line. With a running clock at 26 seconds left the play call was a read option, which DiNucci kept and tried to push into the endzone. As he was pushing forward he fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Defenders. Three 4th quarter turnovers by Ben DiNucci and the Sea Dragons was too much to overcome. The Defenders defended their house and got the win 22 - 18 in a nail biter! The stars of the game were Ben DiNucci 35/54 282 yards, 1 TD and 3 TOs. Also, Michael Joseph with 2 INTs, 1 TD & 6 tackles. Finally, Jahcour Pearson with 12 receptions for 95 yards.

Please return tomorrow for the Pregame review for St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Seattle Sea Dragons which is a huge game to decide the order of power in the North Division.