There were some critical games with major playoff implications this weekend. Some teams clinched home field, while other teams fought to stay alive. It was an exciting week, as the XFL is now just one week away from the playoffs, and things are going to be interesting as we head down the final stretch. Houston and D.C. are in, but St. Louis, Seattle, Arlington, and San Antonio are going to battle it out for the last 2 remaining spots. Who will get in? Who will be left out? We will find out in Week 10. But as for right now, how do these teams stack up as we head into the final week of the regular season.
1. D.C. Defenders (8-1)
Last week: No. 1
The D.C. Defenders, with their 28-26 OT win over the Arlington Renegades, clinched home field advantage for the North Division Championship game. In front of a sold out crowd at Audi Field, the D.C. Defenders survived a late comeback by the Arlington Renegades, who nearly upset the top seed in the North. But none the less, D.C. was able to prevail, and because of it, the North now runs through them. Jordan Ta’amu had a good game, as well did D’Eriq King, with both coming through in the passing game. Ta’amu had 188 yds on 14/20 with 2 TDs and 1 INT, and King came through with 76 yds on 6/9 with a TD and 1 INT. Abram Smith was shut down by Arlington, only gaining 27 yds on the ground on 10 carries. But the offense was still able to move the ball through the air, so it didn’t really play a factor. Arlington was able to hang with D.C., which a lot of people didn’t see coming, but the Defenders were able to hang on and win it in OT 1-0. D.C. has looked vulnerable at times this season, so it’s not as if they are invincible heading into the playoffs. But they are the best team, and I would pick them as my favorite overall.
2. Seattle Sea Dragons (6-3)
Last week: No. 3
The Seattle Sea Dragons are them dawgs! They went into the Dome, with a crowd ready to explode, hoping to see the Battkehawks clinch a playoff spot, and they left them completely silenced. Ben DiNucci and the offense put on a show in St. Louis, and the defense might have been even better. June Jones’ offense was electric Sunday afternoon, as they lit up the Dome with 30 points, and it was DiNucci who lead the charge. He threw for 260 yds on 21/31, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also had a rushing TD where he called game, and put St. Louis, and the rest of the league on notice. Seattle is the real deal, and if they get into the playoffs, which I actually think they will, D.C. is going to have their hands full with this team. They are elite, and their defense let that be known. They held a very good St. Louis Battlehawks offense to just 12 points in the Dome. They pressured McCarron all game long, and they had St. Louis looking all out of sorts. If Seattle does indeed get in, they have a shot at winning it all.
3. St. Louis Battlehawks (6-3)
Last week: No. 2
I had a hard time deciding whether to put St. Louis at 3 or 4 this week, because while I still believe in this team, they did not look great this weekend…at all. A.J. McCarron, who has been great all season, laid an egg at the absolute worst time. The setting was perfect. At home, a hot crowd, riding momentum, and a chance to clinch a playoff spot in front of your home fans. It was all set up so nicely for St. Louis, and the entire team decided to stink it up this week. McCarron was not good, but neither was the rest of the offense. The running game never got going. The offensive line allowed Seattle to bully them upfront all game long. And receivers dropped some catchable balls that could have made a huge difference. The defense allowed Seattle to do whatever they wanted, and the coaching was not great here either. I still think the Battlehawks are a good team, but to me, they are clearly the 3rd best team in the North. And after 2 losses to D.C., and this recent loss to Seattle, I don’t believe that is up for debate.
4. Houston Roughnecks(6-3)
Last week: No. 4
The Houston Roughnecks are on an upswing, after their dreadful 3 game losing streak. They still aren’t quite at that level that they were at the beginning of the season, but they are slowly building back up. This was their best game in a long while, and hopefully they can build on this as they head into the playoffs. They have one more game in the regular season against Arlington to see if they can truly get back to form before they play either Arlington or San Antonio in the South Division Championship. Brandon Silvers is going to have to be better than he has been, and this running game is going to have to continue gaining steam if they want to make a statement in the playoffs. The defense is looking a lot better these past couple of weeks, so that is definitely an encouraging sign. Coach Wade Phillips and A.J. Smith made a great adjustment this week, with leading with the running game instead of the passing game. Silvers and the passing offense has been struggling, so leaning on Max Borghi and Brycen Alleyne was definitely the right call. If the running game can keep it going, it will start opening up holes for the passing game. Houston is such a tricky team, because we’ve seen what they can be, but the question is, will they be the best version of themselves or the worst. Because those are two drastic differences.
5. Arlington Renegades (4-5)
Last week: No. 5
The Arlington Renegades almost did the impossible. They almost completed the comeback against the best team in the league, at their home field, in front of a sold out crowd. And the main reason why they were in this position was because they finally have a real quarterback in Luis Perez. Perez threw for 335 yds on 31/41, 1 TD and 1 INT. He kept Arlington in this game, and they almost pulled off the upset in OT. De’Veon Smith was great here too, going for 43 yds on 12 carries and 2 TDs. If this offense can continue to build their chemistry, they can make some noise in the playoffs. But of course, they have to get there first. If they can beat Houston, who has nothing to play for, then they can clinch their spot in the post season. I believe they can do it, but they will need the offensive production they have been seeing. If they get in, I would give them a good shot against Houston.
6. San Antonio Brahmas (3-6)
Last week: No. 6
San Antonio kept their playoff hopes alive with their 25-23 win over the Orlando Guardians this weekend, and they looked really good doing it. My only thing is, they looked really good against Orlando earlier in the season too, and that ended up being a farce. Their final game of the season is against D.C. Now, I’m not going to say they don’t have a shot, because Arlington almost pulled off the upset against D.C. But I am going to say it’s HIGHLY unlikely. The San Antonio Brahmas are just not on the level of the D.C. Defenders. Their offense, while looking good this week, has not shown the consistency needed to thrive in the playoffs. Their defense is good, but because the offense can’t stay on the field, they end up having to carry a heavy burden for this team. Coach Wines Hard is going to have to pull out every trick they have, if they want a shot at upsetting D.C. and punching their ticket into the playoffs.
7. Vegas Vipers (2-7)
Last week: No. 7
The Vegas Vipers are out of the playoffs, but they have still been playing hard these last few games. Their loss against Houston this weekend, was not a result of them not caring, it was simply a result of Houston being the better team. They play Seattle in their final game of the season, and I would not be surprised at all if they were to pull off the upset, and dash Seattle’s playoff hopes in the process. Ever since going with Jalan McClendon as the starter, this offense has seen consistency that they weren’t seeing before. Had they gone with McClendon earlier in the season, who knows where this team would be. But I am excited to see how they finish out the season.
8. Orlando Guardians (1-8)
Last week: No. 8
Orlando, like Vegas, are out of the playoffs. But much like Vegas, they are still playing hard these last few games of the season. Quiten Dormady has been good for Orlando, and much like Vegas, had they made this switch earlier, who knows where they would be. But the Guardians can still make an impact, as they play the St. Louis Battlehawks in their final game of the season. If they beat St. Louis, they could possibly knock them out if the playoffs. I am excited to see how Orlando finishes out the season. See if they can get that second win.
The D.C. Defenders, with their 28-26 OT win over the Arlington Renegades, clinched home field advantage for the North Division Championship game. In front of a sold out crowd at Audi Field, the D.C. Defenders survived a late comeback by the Arlington Renegades, who nearly upset the top seed in the North. But none the less, D.C. was able to prevail, and because of it, the North now runs through them. Jordan Ta’amu had a good game, as well did D’Eriq King, with both coming through in the passing game. Ta’amu had 188 yds on 14/20 with 2 TDs and 1 INT, and King came through with 76 yds on 6/9 with a TD and 1 INT. Abram Smith was shut down by Arlington, only gaining 27 yds on the ground on 10 carries. But the offense was still able to move the ball through the air, so it didn’t really play a factor. Arlington was able to hang with D.C., which a lot of people didn’t see coming, but the Defenders were able to hang on and win it in OT 1-0. D.C. has looked vulnerable at times this season, so it’s not as if they are invincible heading into the playoffs. But they are the best team, and I would pick them as my favorite overall.
The Seattle Sea Dragons are them dawgs! They went into the Dome, with a crowd ready to explode, hoping to see the Battkehawks clinch a playoff spot, and they left them completely silenced. Ben DiNucci and the offense put on a show in St. Louis, and the defense might have been even better. June Jones’ offense was electric Sunday afternoon, as they lit up the Dome with 30 points, and it was DiNucci who lead the charge. He threw for 260 yds on 21/31, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also had a rushing TD where he called game, and put St. Louis, and the rest of the league on notice. Seattle is the real deal, and if they get into the playoffs, which I actually think they will, D.C. is going to have their hands full with this team. They are elite, and their defense let that be known. They held a very good St. Louis Battlehawks offense to just 12 points in the Dome. They pressured McCarron all game long, and they had St. Louis looking all out of sorts. If Seattle does indeed get in, they have a shot at winning it all.
I had a hard time deciding whether to put St. Louis at 3 or 4 this week, because while I still believe in this team, they did not look great this weekend…at all. A.J. McCarron, who has been great all season, laid an egg at the absolute worst time. The setting was perfect. At home, a hot crowd, riding momentum, and a chance to clinch a playoff spot in front of your home fans. It was all set up so nicely for St. Louis, and the entire team decided to stink it up this week. McCarron was not good, but neither was the rest of the offense. The running game never got going. The offensive line allowed Seattle to bully them upfront all game long. And receivers dropped some catchable balls that could have made a huge difference. The defense allowed Seattle to do whatever they wanted, and the coaching was not great here either. I still think the Battlehawks are a good team, but to me, they are clearly the 3rd best team in the North. And after 2 losses to D.C., and this recent loss to Seattle, I don’t believe that is up for debate.
The Houston Roughnecks are on an upswing, after their dreadful 3 game losing streak. They still aren’t quite at that level that they were at the beginning of the season, but they are slowly building back up. This was their best game in a long while, and hopefully they can build on this as they head into the playoffs. They have one more game in the regular season against Arlington to see if they can truly get back to form before they play either Arlington or San Antonio in the South Division Championship. Brandon Silvers is going to have to be better than he has been, and this running game is going to have to continue gaining steam if they want to make a statement in the playoffs. The defense is looking a lot better these past couple of weeks, so that is definitely an encouraging sign. Coach Wade Phillips and A.J. Smith made a great adjustment this week, with leading with the running game instead of the passing game. Silvers and the passing offense has been struggling, so leaning on Max Borghi and Brycen Alleyne was definitely the right call. If the running game can keep it going, it will start opening up holes for the passing game. Houston is such a tricky team, because we’ve seen what they can be, but the question is, will they be the best version of themselves or the worst. Because those are two drastic differences.
The Arlington Renegades almost did the impossible. They almost completed the comeback against the best team in the league, at their home field, in front of a sold out crowd. And the main reason why they were in this position was because they finally have a real quarterback in Luis Perez. Perez threw for 335 yds on 31/41, 1 TD and 1 INT. He kept Arlington in this game, and they almost pulled off the upset in OT. De’Veon Smith was great here too, going for 43 yds on 12 carries and 2 TDs. If this offense can continue to build their chemistry, they can make some noise in the playoffs. But of course, they have to get there first. If they can beat Houston, who has nothing to play for, then they can clinch their spot in the post season. I believe they can do it, but they will need the offensive production they have been seeing. If they get in, I would give them a good shot against Houston.
San Antonio kept their playoff hopes alive with their 25-23 win over the Orlando Guardians this weekend, and they looked really good doing it. My only thing is, they looked really good against Orlando earlier in the season too, and that ended up being a farce. Their final game of the season is against D.C. Now, I’m not going to say they don’t have a shot, because Arlington almost pulled off the upset against D.C. But I am going to say it’s HIGHLY unlikely. The San Antonio Brahmas are just not on the level of the D.C. Defenders. Their offense, while looking good this week, has not shown the consistency needed to thrive in the playoffs. Their defense is good, but because the offense can’t stay on the field, they end up having to carry a heavy burden for this team. Coach Wines Hard is going to have to pull out every trick they have, if they want a shot at upsetting D.C. and punching their ticket into the playoffs.
The Vegas Vipers are out of the playoffs, but they have still been playing hard these last few games. Their loss against Houston this weekend, was not a result of them not caring, it was simply a result of Houston being the better team. They play Seattle in their final game of the season, and I would not be surprised at all if they were to pull off the upset, and dash Seattle’s playoff hopes in the process. Ever since going with Jalan McClendon as the starter, this offense has seen consistency that they weren’t seeing before. Had they gone with McClendon earlier in the season, who knows where this team would be. But I am excited to see how they finish out the season.
Orlando, like Vegas, are out of the playoffs. But much like Vegas, they are still playing hard these last few games of the season. Quiten Dormady has been good for Orlando, and much like Vegas, had they made this switch earlier, who knows where they would be. But the Guardians can still make an impact, as they play the St. Louis Battlehawks in their final game of the season. If they beat St. Louis, they could possibly knock them out if the playoffs. I am excited to see how Orlando finishes out the season. See if they can get that second win.
