The San Antonio Brahmas made the biggest move in this week’s power rankings. (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough for XFLBoard)
Week 2 of the XFL is in the books. Let’s see how each team stacked up after an exciting week of football.
1. Houston Roughnecks (2-0)
Last week: No. 1
The Roughnecks are still the best team in the league. After a 23-14 victory over the Renegades, the Houston Roughnecks have established themselves as the best defense in the XFL. There is just no disputing that at this point. They lead the league in sacks, tackles for loss, and INTs. They are 2nd in points allowed, and 2nd in yards per game. Their offense has been good enough through 2 weeks, and Wade Phillips is still head and shoulders the best coach in the league. However, Brandon Silvers still remains questionable as the full time starter, and they have to take better care of the football. Other teams are coming for them, but for now, the Roughnecks are still the team to beat.
2. D.C. Defenders (2-0)
Last week: No. 2
D’Eriq King has arrived! He has been the x-factor for the Defenders through the first 2 weeks of the season, and to be honest, along with the defense, he has been the reason they have won. It was no different Saturday night, when they defeated the Vipers 18-6, in which D.C. owned the 2nd half. Here is where it gets tricky though. These first 2 weeks Coach Barlow has used a 2 quarterback system, with Jordan Ta’amu taking majority of the snaps, and King coming in every now and then. The Defenders have to decide if keeping with this same system is the most effective way of going about it, or if just starting King from the get go is the right call. It will be interesting to see what they do as the season continues. But with the defense the way that it’s been playing, and the offense led by King, the Defenders have teams left with no answer right now. Which is why I have them at 2.
3. St. Louis Battlehawks (2-0)
Last week: No. 4
The Battlehawks have easily been the most exciting team in the XFl through the first 2 weeks. With now 2 late comeback wins, both on the road by the way, the St. Louis Battlehawks have started to take the XFL by storm. Kaw Kaw is indeed the Law! A.J. McCarron has been magic in the 4th quarter. His late game poise has been off the charts, and it has paid off for the Battlehawks in spades. Let’s also not forget Austin Proehl, who has been sensational for the Battlehawks down the stretch. This team has talent in every aspect of the game, and honestly, probably should be higher on this list. Why aren’t they? Because the first 3 quarters are still a question. If they played the whole game, the way they play in the 4th quarter, this team would be the best team in the league. If they can figure out how to do that, everyone better watch out. But until then, they might have to rely on some late game magic to pull them through, and I just don’t know how long that can last. So for now, 3 is a good spot for them.
4. San Antonio Brahmas (1-1)
Last week: No. 7
Boy was I wrong about this team. Either that, or the Guardians really are just that bad…we’ll get to them later. But Sunday afternoon, the Brahmas looked good. Really good. Jack Coan especially. His 3 TDs led the Brahmas to a 30-12 beatdown of the Guardians, and the running game was solid as well. If this offense can continue to be a well balanced attack, this team might just sneek up and win the South. The defense has been good, and Coach Ward has been competent through the first 2 weeks. My worries are still just how good is this offense really. Their defense, I do believe in, and I think their offense can be great. But it was the Guardians. We do have to take that into consideration. So while I believe this team can definitely move on up as the season progresses, for now, I think 4 fits them well.
5. Arlington Renegades (1-1)
Last week: No. 3
The Renegades had their chances Sunday night. That was their game for the taking. 3 turnovers, and they were only able to turn that into 14 points. Disappointing is a word I would use to describe their performance Sunday night. Drew Plitt was under pressure all game long, but unfortunately for him, apparently Coach Stoops thought it was more than just that, as the Renegades have announced that Kyle Sloter will be the starter this weekend against Orlando. If there was a ever game to get back on track, the Guardians would be that game. I almost thought about putting them at 4, but the fact is, they really should have beat the Roughnecks this weekend, with how many chances they had. The fact that they didn’t, really did concern me a little bit. I think this team will be fine. And maybe Sloter will be a shot in the arm for them. But until then, 5 is where they sit.
6. Seattle Sea Dragons (0-2)
Last week: No. 5
Once again the Sea Dragons lead a game late in the 4th quarter, and once again they blow it at the end. Last week it was against the Defenders, this week it was against the Battlehawks. Here’s the thing. This team, top to bottom, is the most talented team in the league, in my opinion. They are stacked. Especially on offense. But they shoot themselves in the foot, time and time again. They have costly turnovers at the perfectly wrong time, and they just can’t seem to be able to finish a game. Now, it’s only 2 games in. They have plenty of time to turn things around, and they definitely have the talent to do so. It really just comes down to protecting the football. Especially during the critical parts of the game. I still believe they can do that, but for now, they have to sit at 6.
7. Vegas Vipers (0-2)
Last week: No. 6
I think the change to Brett Hundley at quarterback is going to do wonders for this team. Because Luis Perez just ain’t it. Hundley brings a different dynamic to this offense, one that Perez just can’t duplicate. I believe it will serve them well, but they still have other issues they need to fix. The defense hasn’t been bad, but it hasn’t been great either. They haven’t really pressured the quarterback, and takeaways have kind of been non-present. And hopefully with Brett Hundley, the offensive scheme will change a bit and be more creative. Saturday was wet and rainy, and Hundley had only been there for 2 weeks, so hopefully this weekend, and as the season moves forward, we will start to see who this Vipers team really is. But for now, they sit at 7.
8. Orlando Guardians (0-2)
Last week: No. 8
Now look. It’s only been 2 games. There are still 8 games left on the season, which is plenty of time to turn things around. But man…right now…they SUCK! Everything is bad. The quarterback play. The defense. Special teams. And yes, even the coaching. It’s a crap shoot right now, and I really don’t have much more to say than, I hope they get it together and turn it around, because if they don’t, the Guardians will start to be known as the “Homecoming game”. To never want to be the “Homecoming game”.
The Roughnecks are still the best team in the league. After a 23-14 victory over the Renegades, the Houston Roughnecks have established themselves as the best defense in the XFL. There is just no disputing that at this point. They lead the league in sacks, tackles for loss, and INTs. They are 2nd in points allowed, and 2nd in yards per game. Their offense has been good enough through 2 weeks, and Wade Phillips is still head and shoulders the best coach in the league. However, Brandon Silvers still remains questionable as the full time starter, and they have to take better care of the football. Other teams are coming for them, but for now, the Roughnecks are still the team to beat.
D’Eriq King has arrived! He has been the x-factor for the Defenders through the first 2 weeks of the season, and to be honest, along with the defense, he has been the reason they have won. It was no different Saturday night, when they defeated the Vipers 18-6, in which D.C. owned the 2nd half. Here is where it gets tricky though. These first 2 weeks Coach Barlow has used a 2 quarterback system, with Jordan Ta’amu taking majority of the snaps, and King coming in every now and then. The Defenders have to decide if keeping with this same system is the most effective way of going about it, or if just starting King from the get go is the right call. It will be interesting to see what they do as the season continues. But with the defense the way that it’s been playing, and the offense led by King, the Defenders have teams left with no answer right now. Which is why I have them at 2.
The Battlehawks have easily been the most exciting team in the XFl through the first 2 weeks. With now 2 late comeback wins, both on the road by the way, the St. Louis Battlehawks have started to take the XFL by storm. Kaw Kaw is indeed the Law! A.J. McCarron has been magic in the 4th quarter. His late game poise has been off the charts, and it has paid off for the Battlehawks in spades. Let’s also not forget Austin Proehl, who has been sensational for the Battlehawks down the stretch. This team has talent in every aspect of the game, and honestly, probably should be higher on this list. Why aren’t they? Because the first 3 quarters are still a question. If they played the whole game, the way they play in the 4th quarter, this team would be the best team in the league. If they can figure out how to do that, everyone better watch out. But until then, they might have to rely on some late game magic to pull them through, and I just don’t know how long that can last. So for now, 3 is a good spot for them.
Boy was I wrong about this team. Either that, or the Guardians really are just that bad…we’ll get to them later. But Sunday afternoon, the Brahmas looked good. Really good. Jack Coan especially. His 3 TDs led the Brahmas to a 30-12 beatdown of the Guardians, and the running game was solid as well. If this offense can continue to be a well balanced attack, this team might just sneek up and win the South. The defense has been good, and Coach Ward has been competent through the first 2 weeks. My worries are still just how good is this offense really. Their defense, I do believe in, and I think their offense can be great. But it was the Guardians. We do have to take that into consideration. So while I believe this team can definitely move on up as the season progresses, for now, I think 4 fits them well.
The Renegades had their chances Sunday night. That was their game for the taking. 3 turnovers, and they were only able to turn that into 14 points. Disappointing is a word I would use to describe their performance Sunday night. Drew Plitt was under pressure all game long, but unfortunately for him, apparently Coach Stoops thought it was more than just that, as the Renegades have announced that Kyle Sloter will be the starter this weekend against Orlando. If there was a ever game to get back on track, the Guardians would be that game. I almost thought about putting them at 4, but the fact is, they really should have beat the Roughnecks this weekend, with how many chances they had. The fact that they didn’t, really did concern me a little bit. I think this team will be fine. And maybe Sloter will be a shot in the arm for them. But until then, 5 is where they sit.
Once again the Sea Dragons lead a game late in the 4th quarter, and once again they blow it at the end. Last week it was against the Defenders, this week it was against the Battlehawks. Here’s the thing. This team, top to bottom, is the most talented team in the league, in my opinion. They are stacked. Especially on offense. But they shoot themselves in the foot, time and time again. They have costly turnovers at the perfectly wrong time, and they just can’t seem to be able to finish a game. Now, it’s only 2 games in. They have plenty of time to turn things around, and they definitely have the talent to do so. It really just comes down to protecting the football. Especially during the critical parts of the game. I still believe they can do that, but for now, they have to sit at 6.
I think the change to Brett Hundley at quarterback is going to do wonders for this team. Because Luis Perez just ain’t it. Hundley brings a different dynamic to this offense, one that Perez just can’t duplicate. I believe it will serve them well, but they still have other issues they need to fix. The defense hasn’t been bad, but it hasn’t been great either. They haven’t really pressured the quarterback, and takeaways have kind of been non-present. And hopefully with Brett Hundley, the offensive scheme will change a bit and be more creative. Saturday was wet and rainy, and Hundley had only been there for 2 weeks, so hopefully this weekend, and as the season moves forward, we will start to see who this Vipers team really is. But for now, they sit at 7.
Now look. It’s only been 2 games. There are still 8 games left on the season, which is plenty of time to turn things around. But man…right now…they SUCK! Everything is bad. The quarterback play. The defense. Special teams. And yes, even the coaching. It’s a crap shoot right now, and I really don’t have much more to say than, I hope they get it together and turn it around, because if they don’t, the Guardians will start to be known as the “Homecoming game”. To never want to be the “Homecoming game”.
