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XFL D.C. Defenders

D.C. Defenders Game Notes

April 19, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
D.C. Defenders News Release


SERIES NOTES: This is the only regualr season matchup between D.C. and San Antonio.

NORTH DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The D.C Defenders have clinched home field advantage for the North Division Championship after Week 9's win over the Arlington Renegades. The game will be played on April 30 at Audi Field.Fans can Purchase tickets online at XFL.com/tickets.

DEFENDED THE DISTRICT

After Week 9's win vs. Arlington, the Defenders finished

the regular season 5-0 at home and remain undefeated all- time at Audi Field (9-0) D.C. went 3-0 at home in 2020.

(Note: Statistics and records are not officially carried over from the 2020 season).

FAST FACTS

‚¬Â¢ With the win over Arlington, D.C. has clinched home field advantage for the North Division Championship.

‚¬Â¢ The Defenders will end the season without losing to any North Division team in the regular season.

‚¬Â¢ Week 9 was the 6th game in which the Defenders ended the game within one score of their opponents - D.C has won 5 of those 6.

‚¬Â¢ Week 9 was the 3rd time the Defenders had 2 quarterbacks throw for a touchdown in a single game.

‚¬Â¢ Week 9 marks the only game this season in which the De- fenders did not outrush their opponent.

‚¬Â¢ Francis Bernard led the team in total tackles with 10.

‚¬Â¢ D.J. Swearinger earned his 1st interception of the season and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown.

‚¬Â¢ The Matchup vs. Arlington was D.C.'s lone OT game of the season and the 3rd for the entire XFL.

‚¬Â¢ The Defenders have won the time of possession battle in 5 of their 9 games this season.

HOMECOMING

In Week 9, in his first game back in the district in 5 years, D.J. Swearinger led his team in solo tackles (7) and became the only player in the XFL to record a defensive touchdown in 2 games played or less. Over the last two weeks, Swearinger has tallied 11 total

TOTAL NUMBER: 30

tackles - only Francis Bernard has more (15) on the team. Swearinger's 62-yard interception return is the longest defensive play to end in a touchdown in the XFL this season and the second longest overall.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

Through Week 9, the D.C. Defenders are 7-2 against the spread.

The Defenders have been under dogs three times this season according to Cesars Sportsbook - twice against Seattle and once against Vegas for their first road game.

In 9 games, the Defenders have combined with their opponent to surpass the over given by Cesars Sportsbook.

RED ZONE EFFICIENCY

On the season, the Defenders have scored on 86% of their red zone trips. On 35 trips into the redzone, the Defenders tallied 30 touchdowns.

Conversely, the Defenders have only allowed 19 redzone touchdowns through 9 weeks on 27 attempts by their opponents.

CLOSE CALLS

After Week 9, the Defenders have now played in six games decided by one score or less - they have won 5 of those 6 - no team in the XFL has won more games within one score or less.

EVIL TWINS

Chris Blair (524) and Lucky Jackson (489) are the only receiving duo in the XFL to both rank in the top 5 in receiving yards.

Combined, the two have 1,013 receiving yards, 63 eceptions, 99 targets, 8 touchdowns and 13 receptions of 20 yards or more.

‚¬Â¢Only two duos have combined for more receiving yards.

‚¬Â¢Only 4 duos have combined for more touchdowns.

‚¬Â¢Only two duos have combined for more 20+ yard receptions.

RUSHING BUFFER

Week 9 marked the first week in which the Defenders did not out rush their opponent.

Although the rushing battle was lost vs. Arlington, on the season the Defenders still lead the league in rushing yards (1,318), rushing touchdowns (14), rushing attempts (303), rushes of 10 yards or more (37), rushes of 20 yards or more (8), longest rush (70) and rushing 1st downs (76).

The Defenders are 1 on only 2 teams to have a quarterback and a running back in the top 10 in rushing yards. Jordan Ta'amu has 253 rushing yards and Abram Smith has a league best 747 rushing yards.

Ryquell Armstead's 217 rushing yards through Week 9 pushes him into the top 12 - the Defenders are the only team in the XFL with 3 players in the top 12.

TWO OF A KIND

In Week 9, Jordan Ta'amu and D'eriq King each threw for a touchdown - this marked the third week of the season in which this happened. Only 4 teams have had two quarterbacks throw a touchdown in the same game this season. The Defenders are tied with the Guardians for the most games with two quarterbacks registering a passing touchdown (3).

Of the 6 duos to each record a passing touchdown in the same game, the Defenders duo of King and Ta'amu has the most with 16 total touchdowns on the season.

Ta'amu (12) and King (4) both rank top 10 in the league in touchdown passes after Week 9.

In Week 9, King and Ta'amu combined for 264 passing yards - the second most in any game this year by the Defenders.

DEFEND-SIVE SCORING

Through Week 9, the D.C. Defenders lead the XFL in defensive scoring (24 points).

The Defenders have 4 interceptions returned for a touchdown, by 3 different players (Ramirez, Joseph & Swearinger).

Only three teams have registered a defensive touchdown in the XFL this season. The Defenders are the only team to have a player with multiple interceptions returned for a touchdown this season - Michael Joseph has 2.

All four defensive touchdowns have come in games at Audi field and each the four were returned into the north endzone, in front of section 134 - home to the Beer Snake.

DEFENDERS LEAGUE LEADERS

Rushing Yards: 747 - Abram Smith

Rushing Attempts: 148 -Abram Smith

Rushing TD's: 7 - Abram Smith

Rushes of 10+ yards: 19 - Abram Smith

Rushes of 20+ yards: 5 - Abram Smith

Longest Rush: 70 - Abram Smith

Check out the D.C. Defenders Statistics

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