It’s week four of the XFL season and the St. Louis Battlehawks finally play their first home game when they host the Renegades on Sunday afternoon. All we can say is, “What took so long?”
This battle of 2-1 teams could be the most entertaining game of XFL week four. In a matchup of second place teams, each will be attempting the win just to stay competitive in their divisions.
In week three, the Battlehawks lost to the league leading DC Defenders in a high-scoring 34-28 game. As for the Renegades, they managed to eke out a close 10-9 win over a hapless Orlando Guardians squad. Certainly, different experiences for each team.
What should we look for?
Bob Stoops’s Arlington Renegades need to discover their offense. They’ve got the defensive prowess and that is the main reason behind their 2-1 start, but they have not been able to light up the field on offense. The Renegades have only produced three touchdowns, and all through the air. Last week against the Guardians, Arlington’s offense was outgained by nearly 100 yards, 271-178. Improving the offense has to be job one for Stoops and his co-offensive coordinators Jonathan Hayes and Chuck Long. So far, their big attempt last week was starting Kyle Sloter as quarterback, However this did not prove to be the answer. It looks like they will start Sloter again this week. If Sloter can’t get the offense rolling, will the Renegades try to drum up some offense by giving Drew Plitt a turn behind center?
In St. Louis, quarterback A.J. McCarron has made a name for himself in the new XFL. His leadership and tenacity have been on display as he has guided the Battlehawks to come-from-behind victories in their first two games. Even though they lost last week, it was another close game, and a closer look at McCarron’s statistics reveals his part in the Battlehawks’ success. McCarron is third in the league with 636 passing yards, and tied for top spot with seven touchdown passes. He has commanded an offense where they spread the ball around, led by Hakeem Butler’s 198 yards receiving. However, the Battlehawks have not been able to run the ball as well, ranking near the bottom of the league at 7th, averaging 77.3 rushing yards per game. Also, with McCarron’s desire to stay in the pocket he has been sacked 12 times, the most of any quarterback. For the Battlehawks to win this game, they need to address some of these issues on offense.
For St. Louis, home-field advantage will be a major factor. Considering this will be the home opener for St. Louis and the home team expects a record-setting crowd, the noise in The Dome may be deafening. During the 2020 XFL season, the Battlehawks averaged well over 25,000 fans for their two home games. This season could be much the same, or even greater. Earlier in the week it was reported the Battlehawks had opened the third level of seats to accommodate ticket sales. A few days later they had to open the 400 level. It should be a record-setting crowd.
Conclusion
Based on the records of these two teams, it may be a close game. However, the Battlehawks will get a huge boost from the home crowd. This may prove to be the difference when it comes to the outcome of this game.
