XFL Week 2 Weekend Recap
LuJuan Winningham of the Arlington Renegades forced two turnovers on special teams and scored a receiving touchdown Sunday night.
The XFL entered its 2nd weekend of games in the third installment of the league’s history. The first week was a great success thanks to the on field product creating excitement from kick off to the final whistle. Week 2 was more of the same entertainment other than a major playing field concern in Las Vegas. Other than that we now have a bit of insight into who the top teams in the league are. This week we went (2-2) against the spread, bringing the XFL overall record to (4-3-1) ATS. I am curious to how the sportsbooks will adjust heading into week 3.
DC Defenders 18 vs. Vegas Vipers 6:
The lights shine bright in Vegas but the XFL may have found the only spot in the city where that is not the case. The Vipers’ home stadium Cashman Field, originally a baseball stadium since turned into a soccer pitch, which now plays host to the XFL football league, was a huge disappointment for all parties involved. The lighting was off, the visuals from the stands where the fans sat seemed so far away (baseball field), the field was slick and the communications were an issue throughout the first half. It didn’t stop there because mother nature decided to show up with an attitude. There was high winds and heavy rain. It was a worse case scenario for the XFL on a prime-time Saturday night in a stand alone game.
With all the obstacles faced there was still a game that needed to be played. The Defenders came into town after a big comeback win in week one to take on the Vipers who let a 12 point lead slip away in the kickoff game of the XFL 2023. The first half was a defensive display, mixed with issues with play calling communications and high winds. The only score of the first half was a fumble recovered and returned to the 2 yard line. That lead to TD run by DeAndre Torrey giving the Vegas Vipers an early 6-0 lead. The Vipers took its 6-0 lead to half time as they did the week prior. In second half the cream rose to the top. The Defenders started the scoring with a field goal and the Vipers missed a field goal on their next possession after its kicker slipped on the turf. At the beginning of the fourth quarter the rain stopped and the scoring picked up. The Defenders put together a 10 play 80-yard drive for a touchdown led by the rushing attack from D’eriq King, Abram Smith and Ryquell Armstead. The Vipers responded by Brett Hundley fumbling the ball on a sack. The Defenders take advantage of the short field by scoring another rushing touchdown by Abram Smith to seal the game. The Defenders defeat the Vipers 18-6.
The major difference in the game was the Defenders being able to establish the run game in the face of the inclement weather. The rushing totals were 229 yards for the Defenders to 90 yards for the Vipers. The Vipers gained a good chunk of that yardage from Hundley scrambles. The Defenders were also able to overcome 3 fumbles that allowed 6 points early in the game, which were the Vipers only points. After two weeks the Defenders have established themselves as a scrappy team that finds ways to win. They have an x-factor player in D’Eriq King from Manvel, TX, which for the second week has caused another defense issues when inserted into the game.
The stars of the game: RB Abram Smith with 71 yards rushing, 15 yards receiving and 1 TD. Also, LB Reggie Northup with 5 Tackles, 1 Sack and 1 TFL. Finally, D’Eriq King with 32 yards rushing and 1 TD.
San Antonio Brahmas 30 vs. Orlando Guardians 12:
Sunday football is always a welcomed event in America. The matchup between the (0-1) teams may not have been the belle of the ball on paper but the Brahmas and Guardians were fighting for their first win. The Brahmas were coming off a heartbreaking loss in a comeback only possible in the XFL and the Guardians were embarrassed by the Roughnecks. The Camping World Stadium played host and it was a beautiful day in the Sunshine State.
Both teams came out guns blazing just like in week one. Each scoring touchdowns on the their first possessions. The defenses took over for the next six possessions forcing punts on each. The Brahmas’ Jack Coan woke up and led a 9 play 77 yard drive ending with a beautiful back shoulder dime to TE Alize Mack for the touchdown. The Guardians attempted a response before halftime with a 56 yard field goal attempt from Borregales that ended up short. At half the Brahmas led 13-6. The Brahmas took the momentum from the first half and turned it up in the third quarter scoring back to back touchdowns. The first was another dime from Coan to Tolliver for a 24 yard strike. The Brahmas then blocked a punt setting up a short touchdown run by Hilliman. In the fourth quarter the Guardians backup Deondre Francois was able to lead a lengthy 13 play 90 yard drive for the only score in the second half. The next Guardian possession Francois threw a horrible pass for an interception. The Brahmas again proceeded to take advantage of the short field and expanded its lead with a field goal. The Brahmas close out the game with a 30-12 victory.
In this game, the Brahmas were able to earn its first victory by expanding the lead, which they were not able to do the previous week. Although the Brahmas won, they cannot rest on their laurels just yet, as their running game is still not producing with a talented running back group. They reworked their offense line after week one but may need to make some additional moves headed to Houston next week. The Guardians on the other hand are a lost team. They did not look good in any facet of the game especially on offense and special teams. They have not been able to establish a starting quarterback, which was on display by rotating them sporadically this week. Their special teams have been atrocious. They allowed a blocked punt and missed multiple field goals again in week two. Terrell Buckley was visibly frustrated at the end of the game saying, “Everything needs to change”! I cannot agree more. The communication between the OC and the quarterbacks was a visible weakness in the game.
The stars of the game: QB Jack Coan with 165 yards passing, 23 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Also, TE Alize Mack with 48 yards receiving and 1 TD. Finally, LB Delontae Scott with 7 tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL.
Arlington Renegades 14 vs. Houston Roughnecks 23:
The Texas Showdown, the only battle of (1-0) teams, met at the TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Arlington Renegades were coming off a second with a flurry of defensive touchdowns to win in the kickoff game. Now they travel to take on the Houston Roughnecks who after a dominating performance week 1 leapt to the front as odds on favorites to win the XFL Championship.
The game started the worse way possible for the Renegades with Drew Plitt throwing an interception on the first play from scrimmage. The turnover lead to a Roughneck field goal by Hunter Duplessis (UTSA) a DDSN favorite. The next drive the Renegades punt and Will Likely almost returns it for a touchdown. It only takes the Roughnecks 1 play for Silvers to connect with Nick Holley for the touchdown catch. With 7 minutes left in the first quarter the Renegades found themselves down 11-0. The Renegades comeback attempt did not wait until the second half this week, as LuJuan Winningham forced a fumble on the punt return to begin the second quarter. The Renegades reward Winningham for his efforts by Drew Plitt hitting him on a 4 yard post for the first offensive touchdown of the season. The next Renegade possession resulted in a punt and yet again Winningham strips the ball from Likely for the second time in a row. The Renegades capitalize again with a short field scoring a touchdown on a dart from Plitt to Nate Becker. The Roughnecks begin to drive the field when they fumble for third time in the second quarter from a strip on the sideline by CB Josh Hawkins. With time running out in the first half, the Renegades attempt a deep 55 yard field goal by Taylor Russolino, which comes up short. The Renegades defensive efforts again put them in great shape as they take the lead to half 14-11. In the second half the scoring slows as the above average defenses of both teams begin to control the game. The Roughnecks get a break with a long punt return. Houston is then able to use its x-factor formation with Cole McDonald in a hybrid wildcat offense to set up Brandon Silvers to throw a touchdown pass to Cedric Byrd for a touchdown. The Renegades offense sputters and dies turning the ball over two more times. Its tired defense allows a 7 minute 70 yard touchdown drive by the Roughnecks to seal the game. After an exciting first half, the Renegades are not able to get their offense moving in the second half and lose the Texas Showdown Ep. 1 by the score of 23-14.
This game had everything from lead changes, turnovers, great defense, good offense to unmatched effort on special teams. The Houston Roughnecks have now further established themselves as the overall favorites in the league. Their tenacious defense only gave up 125 total yards and the Renegade touchdowns came from short fields after turnovers. The Roughneck offense also found success against a good Renegade defense with their option to go to Cole McDonald under center for a special playbook that has been successful for them in the first two weeks of the season. Brandon Silvers did not throw an interception this week after throwing 2 the previous week. On the other hand the Renegades have an outstanding defense who sniffs out turnovers and makes them count but its offense has been lackluster through two weeks. Arlington won due to two defensive touchdowns in week one and their two offensive touchdowns this week came off of short fields after turnovers. The Renegade faithful are calling for a move at quarterback to who everyone thought would be the starter at the beginning of the season, Kyle Sloter, but who knows if any moves are made. The weakness seems to be the offensive line not being able to create time nor holes to run. The Renegades and Bob Stoops will have some adjustments to make before next weeks game if they want to get back to winning.
The stars of the game: QB Brandon Silvers with 173 yards passing and 2 TDs. Also, WR Ben Putnam with 4 huge catches for 65 yards. Finally, LB Trent Harris with 5 Tackles, .5 Sacks and 2 TFLs.
At last, we are announcing a weekly award to the XFL’s defensive standout of the week. The debut winner of the DDSN Defensive Player of the Week presented by San Antonio Security Response is Arlington Renegade LuJuan Winningham from Humble, TX. Winningham made a huge impact in the game with 2 forced fumbles and a touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Houston Roughnecks. Although, in a losing effort Winningham literally took over the game with his unrivaled effort!
Congratulations LuJuan and good luck the rest of the season!