DC Defenders running back #4 Abram Smith goes airborne as he celebrates in an XFL game against the San Antonio Brahmas in the Alamodome, San Antonio, April 22, 2023. (Twitter)
Entering today’s contest, the D.C. Defenders had all they needed out of the regular season, with home-field advantage in the XFL North Championship and the best record in the league already secured. They were only really playing for pride. Conversely, with a win, the San Antonio Brahmas playoff chances would’ve lived to see another day.
Nevertheless, a missed 53-yard field goal from John Parker Romo in the final minute of the game proved to be the nail in the coffin for their playoff chances. Romo’s kick, just his second miss of the season, would’ve likely won the game for Brahmas, considering they trailed 29-28 as it went up.
Although the game was determined by one point, it didn’t seem like it would be for most of the first half. Going into the second quarter two-minute warning, it appeared the Brahmas were well on their way towards being eliminated from playoff contention as they trailed 19-3 with another promising drive developing by the Defenders. However, a Jordan Williams interception in the redzone and a 34-yard return into D.C. territory was all San Antonio needed to turn the tides. Six plays later, a Jacques Patrick touchdown and the Brahmas’ first two-point conversion of the season made the score 19-11 going into halftime.
From there, the Brahmas outscored the opposition 17-3 and even took the lead behind two more rushing touchdowns and a field goal. Nonetheless, their lead was short-lived thanks to a clutch drive led by Jordan Ta’amu, who scored both the game-tying touchdown and difference-making one-point conversion on the Defenders’ last offensive drive. On the play before the touchdown, Jazz Ferguson made his first reception of the season on a snatch where he used every bit of 6-5, 227 lbs frame.
Speaking of big pass-catchers, tight end Alex Ellis had just four targets on the season coming into today’s contest. But he played a massive role in D.C.’s passing attack today, finishing with four receptions for 25 yards and two touchdowns. Along with Ellis, receivers like Lucky Jackson made their usual impacts for the Defenders.
All-in-all, Jackson had three receptions for 84 yards, including an explosive 52-yard reception during the first drive of the game that set up for one of Alex Ellis’ previously mentioned touchdowns. Believe it or not, Jackson’s gain wasn’t the biggest of the meeting, with teammate Chris Blair’s 70-yard grab early in the second quarter earning that title. The catch saw a 58-yard run after catch from the speedy Blair and came just two plays before Ellis’ second score of the day.
Ta’amu, a quarterback many believe will receive an NFL camp invite after the season, continued to produce at a high rate with 315 total yards and three touchdowns.
On the other end, Jack Coan continued to sling it for San Antonio, throwing for more than 300 yards in his second-straight week, but the pass protection struggled against an aggressive D.C. defense, and Coan just couldn’t finish the job. Even a 41-yard kick return to midfield from Fred Brown wasn’t enough on the last drive, as the Brahmas were eventually forced to settle for a 53-yard field goal on 4th & 6.
Landen Akers and T.J. Vasher continued as top targets for Coan, combining for 147 yards. Meanwhile, Nick Holley caught all four of his targets for 40 yards in his second game with the Brahmas against a Defenders secondary missing multiple key contributors, including shutdown cornerback Michael Joseph.
What’s next?
The loss marks the end of an up-and-down inaugural season for Hines Ward’s squad. With a 3-7 record, it’s crazy to think that the Brahmas’ playoff chances remained alive up until the final week, especially considering 7-3 St. Louis could miss the playoffs with a Seattle win tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the 9-1 Defenders got the confidence booster with playoffs coming up, but it’s worth noting that their combined point differential has only been +3 over their last five matchups. D.C. also helped out the Arlington Renegades, who’ve clinched a playoff berth with San Antonio’s loss.
