The Houston Roughnecks return to their home field to host the Vegas Vipers. This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
The Roughnecks were victorious after a hard-fought overtime win over the San Antonio Brahmas in Week 8. Returning as the starting quarterback after nursing an injury, Brandon Silvers completed 17-of-36 passes for 146 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Houston’s running game was held to only 25 yards, but the Houston defense came up big, holding off the Brahmas when they had to, recording six sacks and forcing two interceptions.
Last week Vegas lost to a surging Battlehawks squad in an entertaining overtime game. Vegas quarterback Jalan McClendon did not have Jeff Badet to throw to, but he still completed 13-of-23 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. McClendon fumbled in the third quarter, but the Vipers defense held the Battlehawks from scoring.
What should we look for?
With last weeks win, Houston has clinched a spot in the South Division Championship game, while Vegas has been eliminated from postseason play. A win this week will lock Houston in as the home team for the South Division Championship, something they might use to focus their efforts against the Vipers.
Houston’s defense will need to bring a similar work ethic against the Vipers QB Jalan McClendon, who was very close to ending his second start with another win for Vegas. McClendon has brought a spark to the Vipers offense, and they will need the same this week. Houston has been scoring an average of 23.3 points per game at home, and McClendon needs to match that output or better. Certainly, the Vipers have been close to winning many games, including games against teams considered to be the class of the league. It seems only a matter of time that things go their way and they get the success they’ve worked for.
Although this game is not important to the Vipers, the Roughnecks will want to focus on ending their season with a bang. To date the Roughnecks have had 25 total touchdowns (2nd in the XFL), 16 touchdowns through the air (2nd in the XFL), 9 touchdowns on the ground (3rd in the XFL), 8 passing plays of 40+ yards (1st in the XFL), and 5 rushing plays of 20+ yards (2nd in the XFL). Meanwhile the Roughnecks defense is responsible for 29 sacks (1st in the XFL), 11 interceptions (1st in the XFL), 2 fumble recoveries for a touchdown (1st in the XFL), and 46 tackles for a loss (2nd in the XFL). They will want to keep going in this direction, padding these stats and maintaining superiority in these statistical areas as they go into the playoffs..
Conclusion
Expect the Battlehawks to win, but there is a great chance the Vipers will not roll over, making the game close. McClendon and the Vipers have enough talent to cover the spread, and with the Roughnecks already clinching their spot in the playoffs they may just let them. Expect these two teams to be conservative in their scoring, and they likely will not score the 44 pointes needed to make the over.
