Your Houston Roughnecks are STILL UNDEFEATED as a franchise in the XFL. They move to 7-0 all-time, and 2-0 on the season. They defeated the Arlington Renegades 23-14 in their first of 2 matchups this season. Both teams came into this game 1-0, but now the Roughnecks stand alone at the top of the South.
Now, when you see the score 23-14, you might be thinking, the Roughnecks cruised to another easy victory, just like last week. BUT, that was certainly not the case. In fact, the game actually should have been even more lopsided. Houston squandered many opportunities in this game, and it was the unstoppable defense that had to bail them out. They were certainly the stars of this game. Much like last week, they were a sack machine. this front seven in absolutely relentless. They recorded another 5 sacks this game, to add to their total of 12 on the season, which leads the league. Tim Ward, Emmanuel Ellerbee, John Daka, Trent Harris, C. J. Brewer, and Charles Wiley, all contributed to the 5 sacks, and because of them, Drew Plitt was never able to really get comfortable in the pocket. Add another Sean Davis INT, and this defense was once again showing why they are the most complete, most dominant, most feared defense in the entire league. This defense is for REAL.
Now let’s talk about the offense. Brandon Silvers. Let’s talk about Brandon. First off, he did a much better job this week of protecting the football. No INTs this week, to go along with his 2 TDs. He went 14/28 for 173 yds, averaging 6.2 yds per throw. So on paper, not bad. But man, he needs to start reading what the defense gives him better. He would constantly miss when guys would be wide open, instead trying to force some throws, instead of going through his 2nd and 3rd options. I do believe he will get better at this as the season continues, and the offense starts to have more familiarity with each other. But if he doesn’t, this could be a problem as the season continues. He’s a tricky quarterback, because he does make some nice throws. His arm talent is certainly there. But it’s his reading through progressions that needs some improving. If he can work on that, I do believe he will be a good enough quarterback, with this defense, to win a championship.
The receiving core was solid here, with Ben Putman, Max Borghi, Cedric Byrd, and Nick Holley all contributing nicely, but it was Jontre Kirklin, who continues to be the standout receiver on this team. He only had 2 catches, but he turned those 2 catches into 56 yds, averaging 28 yds a catch. The running game was decent, noting special, but good enough to keep this offense balanced out.
But special teams…..oof. BIG OOF! Will Likely, might “likely” never return a punt or kickoff again. Likely fumbled twice. Back to back actually. And man, if it wasn’t for this defense, the Renegades would have easily ran away with this game. These fumbles not only cost Houston field position, and possessions, but it also swung momentum Arlington’s way. But as bad as Likely’s fumbles were, none was worse than Deontay Burnett’s fumble, because that one came in the redzone. Redzone fumbles are the worst, and luckily, Houston was able to overcome it, but that ain’t going to happen every time. The Roughnecks as a whole, have to take better care of the football if they want to be the last team standing at the end of the season, which they have full potential to do.
The Houston Roughnecks are the best team in the XFL, but they better not get too comfortable up there, because other teams this weekend showed they are coming for them, and they will not go away lightly.
