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Inside the XFL

by Fran Stuchbury
March 9, 2023 - XFL (XFL)


Week three of the XFL season featured some improved offensive play in a slate of close games.

The Seattle Sea Dragons offense flexed its muscles on the way to 519 total yards in their 30-26 victory over the Vegas Vipers. Quarterback Ben DiNucci spearheaded the performance, passing for 377 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Morgan Ellison ran for 103 yards, and wide receiver Josh Gordon rolled up 118 yards and two touchdowns including the game-winning catch, the longest XFL reception of the season at 65 yards.

On the other side, Vipers quarterback Brett Hundley proved to be a passing and running threat in his first start. He threw for 224 yards and led the team with 66 yards on the ground.

Last Week XFL President Russ Brandon stated he had no concerns over the Vegas Vipers' field, saying, "That field is extraordinarily sound. They dealt with high winds and heavy rain the second half. In general the field held up well, and they will continue to work on it, the cosmetic side of it. The field is sound."

The field appeared in better shape in week two. Though Vegas dodged rain, wind had an impact, forcing an official into unexpected duty during a kickoff:

The highest scoring game of the XFL season took place the following day with the D.C. Defenders defeating the St. Louis Battlehawks 34-28 Sunday afternoon. Jordan Ta'Amu's play improved from week two, but it was a Defenders defense which created four turnovers including a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown by Michael Joseph.

The Defenders are a run-first team, leading the XFL in rushing yards with 449 yards, 152 more yards than the teams tied for second: Seattle and San Antonio.

Mobile quarterbacks Ta'Amu and especially D'Eriq King gives the team a lot of options.

In a losing effort Battlehawks QB A.J. McCarron tossed four touchdown passes, and Hakeem Butler became the first Battlehawks player to ear over 100 yards receiving with 105 through the air.

The Beer Snake also returned:

Even in a narrow Arlington Renegades' 10-9 victory over the Orlando Guardians, new starter Kyle Sloter showed promise. He completed 78% of his passes for 124 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The Renegades are going have to count on his improvement so they can be less conservative on offense if they want to put more points on the board. Look for Sloter and his former teammate for the USFL New Orleans Breakers, tight end Sal Cannella, to connect a lot more going forward.

As for the Guardians, the team played tough the entire game and it Coach Terrell Buckley brought a more positive approach to inspire his players in a close loss.

Houston Roughnecks quarterback Brandon Silvers continues to shine and is second in the XFL with 723 passing yards. He connected on three scoring throws in the first half to stake undefeated Houston to a big lead.

As we have seen with the Sea Dragons, the run-and-shoot offense often takes some time for players to learn. When the Roughnecks play at Seattle in week five, the teams may be in store for a track meet.

Once again in week three all four games were close until the end, with all of them one-score differences.

Every game-winning touchdown in Week 3:

EXTRA POINTS

  • Saturday's FX game between Seattle Sea Dragons and Vegas Vipers on FX drew 528,000 viewers. Sunday afternoon's St. Louis Battlehawks - D.C. Defenders broadcast on FX rose to 665,000 viewers. The Orlando Guardians - Arlington Renegades contest finished with 550,000 viewers, and the Sunday night San Antonio Brahmas - Houston Roughnecks game on ESPN2 saw 543,000 viewers.

  • Seattle Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci, D.C. Defenders outside linebacker Davin Bellamy and Seattle wide receiver Josh Gordon were named the OurSports Central XFL Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Unsung Hero of the Week, respectively, for week three of the XFL season.

  • The XFL announced some updates to the 2023 schedule, shifting some broadcast windows.

  • Home teams went 3-1 and are now 7-5 for the season.

  • Six of the twelve XFL games have been decided by four points or less. Nine have finished with nine points or fewer separating the teams.

  • Teams went two-of-three on one-point conversion attempts from the two-yard line, seven-of-fifteen on two-point conversions from the five-yard line, and zero-of-three on three-point conversions from the 10-yard line.

  • Former St. Louis Battlehawks President Kurt Hunzeker joined the National Lacrosse League as Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations. The Battlehawks enjoyed a successful launch in 2020 before COVID shut down the league after five weeks.

  • The St. Louis Battlehawks tabbed Chris Claiborne as their linebackers coach after Dave Steckel resigned. His resume includes All-American honros at USC, the 1998 Butkus Award, and a first-round draft selection by the Detroit Lions in 1999. He spent eight seasons in the NFL, including one in St. Louis.

  • Kick returns provided s spark in week three. St. Louis' Darrius Shepherd returned five kicks for 190 yards, including a 72-yard effort. The Brahmas' Travis Jonsen returned a kick for 59-yards on their opening drive, setting up a touchdown.

  • XFL President Russ Brandon issued the following suspensions and fines for player safety rules violations during the Sunday, March 5, 2023, St. Louis Battlehawks vs. D.C. Defenders game:

    Francis Bernard (2-games) and Gabe Wright (1-game) of the D.C. Defenders and Jaryd Jones-Smith (2-games) of the St. Louis Battlehawks have been suspended for involvement in an on-field altercation. Additionally, the following players and coaches have been fined for their actions during the on-field altercation. D.C. Defenders Anthoula Kelly - CB, St. Louis Battlehawks Nate Meadors - DB, D.C. Defenders Jamal Brooks - LB, St. Louis Battlehawks Travis Feeney - LB, D.C. Defenders Rod Taylor - G, St. Louis Battlehawks Brian Hill - RB, D.C. Defenders Jeremy Watkins - Coach, St. Louis Battlehawks Tory Woodbury - Coach

  • The Orlando Guardians signed quarterback Quinton Flowers. Flowers played for the XFL's Tampa Bay Vipers in 2020, completing eight-of-15 attempts for 106 yards, while running for 4.9 yards per carry with a touchdown. Flowers electrified at the University of South Florida, where he set most of the school's passing records.

  • Roughnecks DB Ajene Harris has recorded an interception in all three games this season, tying him for the most in the XFL. The Roughnecks lead the XFL with five interceptions.

  • The Sea Dragons have consistently opted for three-point conversions after their touchdowns, the only team to do so.

  • My XFL best bet lock of the Week is the St. Louis Battlehawks -3.5 over the Arlington Renegades. St. Louis is expecting over 30,000 fans for the Battlehawks' opener, giving the team the best home field advantage in the XFL. Arlington has struggled offensively with only three total touchdowns compared to eight for St. Louis. If the Battlehawks get out to an early lead, it will be challenging for the Renegades to catch up. Look for the Battlehawks to make their fans happy with a home victory.

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