XFL Seattle Sea Dragons #25 Morgan Ellison prepares for battle. Meanwhile, the Sea Dragons jumped up in our power rankings. (XFL Twitter)
Week 3 of the XFL was electrifying! If you are a fan of offense, this was definitely the weekend for you. These teams are starting to find their groove and settle in, and it is making for an exciting brand of football. Let’s see how these teams stack up after what was the best week of the XFL yet!
1. Houston Roughnecks (3-0)
Last week: No. 1
Three weeks in and the Houston Roughnecks are still the best team in the XFL. It is honestly hard to find a weak spot on this team. They do everything so well. Their offense, led by Brandon Silvers, is a well oiled machine that consistently moves the ball down field and consistently gets points, predominantly in the endzone. Jontre Kirklin continues to be an absolute stud, and Max Borghi keeps grinding on the ground. But make no mistake about it, this team is led by its elite defense. What else would you expect from a Wade Phillips coached team? They had an unbelievable goal line stand against the Brahmas this weekend, and they continue to create turnovers. As long as this defense stays hot, this team ain’t going anywhere. If this offense can continue to score and take care of the football, and this defense keeps doing what it’s doing, I have no doubt that the Houston Roughnecks will be the team standing in the middle of the Alamodome come May, raising up that XFL trophy.
2. D.C. Defenders (3-0)
Last week: No. 2
The Defenders vs. Battlehawks Sunday afternoon game was everything as advertised and then some. A rivalry was born that day, and I for one am super excited for Week 5 in the Dome. As for this first matchup, the Defenders handled their business and took down the Battlehawks 34-28. But it wasn’t without its late dramatics. A last minute fumble by Jordan Ta’amu put the Battlehawks in position to once again have a magical 4th quarter comeback, but the D.C. defense had other plans. Yes, the offense, led by the 2 head attack of Ta’amu, who was very good Sunday, and D’Eriq King, who still can’t be stopped, is an absolute force, but it really is this D.C. defense that makes this team elite. And here is the kicker. Because this offense is primarily a “run first” offense, they run so much time off the clock, that the defense is always well rested when they hit the field. While I do see the North wide open, with all 4 teams having a realistic shot to make the playoffs, the D.C. Defenders right now are the one team in the North I’m certain are going to be there by the end of it. This team is good, and they continue to get better.
3. St. Louis Battlehawks (2-1)
Last week: No. 3
The St. Louis Battlehawks suffered their first loss of the season Sunday afternoon, at the hands of the Defenders. But this team fought hard, and by the end of it, had a shot to steal it. While they ultimately didn’t, I definitely did not lose any hope in this team. They are still very good, but I think the main thing that they should takeaway from this game, is the one thing that I have been talking about since the beginning of the season. They have to play a complete game and not just rely on these magical 4th quarter comebacks. Because as they found out this weekend, against these elite teams, that ain’t going to cut it. But I do believe this team will get there, and when they do, I believe they have all the potential in the world to finish as the number one seed in the North. A.J. McCarron continues to impress, and this team is one of the most balanced teams in the league. They can throw it, they can run it, and their defense and special teams are very good. But, one weakness that I did see in their defense was their secondary. They gave up quite a few big plays against D.C. So that is definitely something to keep an eye on.
4. Seattle Sea Dragons (1-2)
Last week: No. 6
Surprised? Hey, I call ’em how I see ’em. And the Sea Dragons are for real. I’ve been saying every week, that I believe this team will figure it out, and they have. Ben DiNucci. Josh Gordon. These 2 are the best duo in the league, bar none. They picked up their first win of the season, in what was the most exciting game over the weekend, as they defeated the Vipers 30-26 in the most dramatic way possible. 4th and 2, and Ben DiNucci hurls it up to Josh Gordon, who trotted backwards to take it to the house. It was absolutely incredible, and I believe this will be the moment, that the Sea Dragons look back on as the starting point of their turnaround. At 1-2, they are very much in play for the North, and if this offense is clicking, they are the best offense in the league. Their defense is good enough, as a “bend don’t break” defense, but as long as their offense is scoring points at the rate I think they can, and most importantly, if they are taking care of the football, this team can go all the way, and honestly, win the whole thing. The Seattle Sea Dragons are coming.
5. Arlington Renegades (2-1)
Last week: No. 5
The Renegades are lucky to be here to be honest with you. They almost handed the Guardians their first win of the season, and even though the Renegades ultimately came away with it, they did not look good doing it. The only 2 wins they have this season, were against the only 2 teams that have yet to win a game. And even then, that was against a Luis Perez led Vipers team, not Brett Hundley. The Renegades are good, but I expect this team to start falling. Starting this weekend, when they have to take on the Battlehawks…at the Dome. Kyle Sloter was not an improvement from Drew Plitt, and in all honesty, I think Plitt might be better. This defense is good, but the offense can not get into the endzone. That is a problem. This team might start falling fast as their schedule becomes more difficult. if they don’t figure something out on offense, they will find themselves on the outside looking in when the playoffs come around.
6. San Antonio Brahmas (1-2)
Last week: No. 4
Even though the Brahmas are 1-2, I actually think they are going to be ok going forward this season. Especially since I think the Renegades are going to fall off. That leaves an opening for the taking in the South, and the Brahmas are more than capable of seizing it. Jack Coan is still a good quarterback, and even though this offense didn’t look amazing this week, they aren’t going to be playing the Roughnecks defense every week. The Brahmas are well coached by Hines Ward, and they have the talent and drive to make a run. The defense is solid, special teams is good, and this offense can be great. While I don’t think they can knock off the Roughnecks as the number one seed, I can definitely see them knocking down the Renegades, to get into the playoffs. Don’t sleep on the Brahmas, because they will catch a lot of teams slipping, and they will take advantage.
7. Vegas Vipers (0-3)
Last week: No. 7
Going with Brett Hundley was the right call. He was electric Saturday night, and if it weren’t for Josh Gordon’s late heroics, he would have been the reason the Vipers had their first win of the season. He did it through the air. He did it on the ground. He was sensational. If he can keep this level of performance up all season, a North that is wide open for the taking, can be won the 0-3 Vipers. Mark my words. Brett Hundley changes this team’s dynamic, and you could tell the energy of this team was changed as a whole. I believe in the Vipers, and I would advise every team to watch out, because they could easily spoil somebody’s dreams.
8. Orlando Guardians (0-3)
Last week: No. 8
The Guardians were so close. So close. But so close doesn’t get you wins, and for that reason the Guardians are still winless in this early XFL season. Paxton Lynch played his best game of the season, as did the Guardians as whole. But it just wasn’t good enough against the Renegades at home. This team still has a lot to improve on, in all areas of the game. But, this weekend was definitely an improvement. Build on that, and maybe, just maybe, the Orlando Guardians can get that first win of the season. Unfortunately for them, it most certainly won’t be this weekend, as they take on the Roughnecks, who might just have the game over by halftime. But after going 0-4, maybe they can start stringing some wins together.
Three weeks in and the Houston Roughnecks are still the best team in the XFL. It is honestly hard to find a weak spot on this team. They do everything so well. Their offense, led by Brandon Silvers, is a well oiled machine that consistently moves the ball down field and consistently gets points, predominantly in the endzone. Jontre Kirklin continues to be an absolute stud, and Max Borghi keeps grinding on the ground. But make no mistake about it, this team is led by its elite defense. What else would you expect from a Wade Phillips coached team? They had an unbelievable goal line stand against the Brahmas this weekend, and they continue to create turnovers. As long as this defense stays hot, this team ain’t going anywhere. If this offense can continue to score and take care of the football, and this defense keeps doing what it’s doing, I have no doubt that the Houston Roughnecks will be the team standing in the middle of the Alamodome come May, raising up that XFL trophy.
The Defenders vs. Battlehawks Sunday afternoon game was everything as advertised and then some. A rivalry was born that day, and I for one am super excited for Week 5 in the Dome. As for this first matchup, the Defenders handled their business and took down the Battlehawks 34-28. But it wasn’t without its late dramatics. A last minute fumble by Jordan Ta’amu put the Battlehawks in position to once again have a magical 4th quarter comeback, but the D.C. defense had other plans. Yes, the offense, led by the 2 head attack of Ta’amu, who was very good Sunday, and D’Eriq King, who still can’t be stopped, is an absolute force, but it really is this D.C. defense that makes this team elite. And here is the kicker. Because this offense is primarily a “run first” offense, they run so much time off the clock, that the defense is always well rested when they hit the field. While I do see the North wide open, with all 4 teams having a realistic shot to make the playoffs, the D.C. Defenders right now are the one team in the North I’m certain are going to be there by the end of it. This team is good, and they continue to get better.
The St. Louis Battlehawks suffered their first loss of the season Sunday afternoon, at the hands of the Defenders. But this team fought hard, and by the end of it, had a shot to steal it. While they ultimately didn’t, I definitely did not lose any hope in this team. They are still very good, but I think the main thing that they should takeaway from this game, is the one thing that I have been talking about since the beginning of the season. They have to play a complete game and not just rely on these magical 4th quarter comebacks. Because as they found out this weekend, against these elite teams, that ain’t going to cut it. But I do believe this team will get there, and when they do, I believe they have all the potential in the world to finish as the number one seed in the North. A.J. McCarron continues to impress, and this team is one of the most balanced teams in the league. They can throw it, they can run it, and their defense and special teams are very good. But, one weakness that I did see in their defense was their secondary. They gave up quite a few big plays against D.C. So that is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Surprised? Hey, I call ’em how I see ’em. And the Sea Dragons are for real. I’ve been saying every week, that I believe this team will figure it out, and they have. Ben DiNucci. Josh Gordon. These 2 are the best duo in the league, bar none. They picked up their first win of the season, in what was the most exciting game over the weekend, as they defeated the Vipers 30-26 in the most dramatic way possible. 4th and 2, and Ben DiNucci hurls it up to Josh Gordon, who trotted backwards to take it to the house. It was absolutely incredible, and I believe this will be the moment, that the Sea Dragons look back on as the starting point of their turnaround. At 1-2, they are very much in play for the North, and if this offense is clicking, they are the best offense in the league. Their defense is good enough, as a “bend don’t break” defense, but as long as their offense is scoring points at the rate I think they can, and most importantly, if they are taking care of the football, this team can go all the way, and honestly, win the whole thing. The Seattle Sea Dragons are coming.
The Renegades are lucky to be here to be honest with you. They almost handed the Guardians their first win of the season, and even though the Renegades ultimately came away with it, they did not look good doing it. The only 2 wins they have this season, were against the only 2 teams that have yet to win a game. And even then, that was against a Luis Perez led Vipers team, not Brett Hundley. The Renegades are good, but I expect this team to start falling. Starting this weekend, when they have to take on the Battlehawks…at the Dome. Kyle Sloter was not an improvement from Drew Plitt, and in all honesty, I think Plitt might be better. This defense is good, but the offense can not get into the endzone. That is a problem. This team might start falling fast as their schedule becomes more difficult. if they don’t figure something out on offense, they will find themselves on the outside looking in when the playoffs come around.
Even though the Brahmas are 1-2, I actually think they are going to be ok going forward this season. Especially since I think the Renegades are going to fall off. That leaves an opening for the taking in the South, and the Brahmas are more than capable of seizing it. Jack Coan is still a good quarterback, and even though this offense didn’t look amazing this week, they aren’t going to be playing the Roughnecks defense every week. The Brahmas are well coached by Hines Ward, and they have the talent and drive to make a run. The defense is solid, special teams is good, and this offense can be great. While I don’t think they can knock off the Roughnecks as the number one seed, I can definitely see them knocking down the Renegades, to get into the playoffs. Don’t sleep on the Brahmas, because they will catch a lot of teams slipping, and they will take advantage.
Going with Brett Hundley was the right call. He was electric Saturday night, and if it weren’t for Josh Gordon’s late heroics, he would have been the reason the Vipers had their first win of the season. He did it through the air. He did it on the ground. He was sensational. If he can keep this level of performance up all season, a North that is wide open for the taking, can be won the 0-3 Vipers. Mark my words. Brett Hundley changes this team’s dynamic, and you could tell the energy of this team was changed as a whole. I believe in the Vipers, and I would advise every team to watch out, because they could easily spoil somebody’s dreams.
The Guardians were so close. So close. But so close doesn’t get you wins, and for that reason the Guardians are still winless in this early XFL season. Paxton Lynch played his best game of the season, as did the Guardians as whole. But it just wasn’t good enough against the Renegades at home. This team still has a lot to improve on, in all areas of the game. But, this weekend was definitely an improvement. Build on that, and maybe, just maybe, the Orlando Guardians can get that first win of the season. Unfortunately for them, it most certainly won’t be this weekend, as they take on the Roughnecks, who might just have the game over by halftime. But after going 0-4, maybe they can start stringing some wins together.
