Inside the XFL

by Fran Stuchbury
March 23, 2023 - XFL (XFL)

The XFL has reached the halfway point of a close, competitive season. Many of the games, all of which have been broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or FX, have been decided by one score including all of last week's contests.

It's time to hand out the grades for all eight XFL teams. Some have been dominant such as the D.C. Defenders and Houston Roughnecks. Others have struggled, a group the includes the Orlando Guardians, Vegas Vipers, and San Antonio Brahmas. Whose fortunes will turn for better or worse in the second half?

North Division

D.C. Defenders (5-0): A

The Defenders have been a dominant, smash-mouth football team with a physical defense that has made big plays throughout the season. Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams oversees a unit which has sacked opposing passers 17 times, led by Davin Bellamy with 3.5 sacks. Michael Joseph leads the team with four interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns.

After Abram Smith's huge 218-yard rushing performance against the St. Louis Battlehawks, he leads the XFL with 432 yards on the ground, 177 yards ahead of second place. The Defenders as a team also lead the XFL with 870 yards rushing, a whopping 304 yards ahead of second place. Far from being one dimensional, QB Jordan Ta'Amu's play has improved throughout the season, and he's passed for 658 yards, one touchdown and one interception plus has added 208 rushing yards and a pair of scores. His backup D'Eriq King has been used effectively especially in the redzone as evidenced by his five rushing touchdowns.

The Defenders play smart football, and they don't make many mistakes. D.C. has a two-game lead for first place ahead of the St. Louis Battlehawks and Seattle Sea Dragons. A few more victories the next couple of weeks could lock up a home playoff game in front of their passionate fanbase.

Seattle Sea Dragons (3-2): B

The Sea Dragons could be undefeated if they hadn't turned the ball over so often with seven interceptions and eight fumbles. Under Offensive Coordinator June Jones' run-and-shoot offense, quarterback Ben DiNucci leads the XFL with 1,328 passing yards. His favorite target, Jahcour Pearson, leads the XFL with 36 receptions and 430 yards. Former NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver has Josh Gordon has added 20 receptions for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Morgan Ellison is third in the XFL with 254 rushing yards.

On defense, linebacker Tuzar Skipper leads the XFL with three forced fumbles.

Going forward the Sea Dragons defense is going have to create more turnovers. Last week special teams blocked two punts, helping Seattle down the undefeated Houston Roughnecks.

Looking ahead, week nine at the St. Louis Battlehawks could possibly be a must-win game to qualify for the post-season especially with them already losing at home to St. Louis in week two, 20-18.

St. Louis Battlehawks (3-2): B

The Battlehawks have been good on offense thanks to veteran quarterback A.J. McCarron who has passed for 1,086 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. His favorite target is wide receiver Hakeem Butler who is second in the XFL with 30 receptions and four touchdowns. Running back Brian Hill is second in the XFL with 255 yards on the ground.

Defensively, linebacker William Harvey is tied for third in the XFL with 34 total tackles and defensive lineman LaCale London has forced two fumbles. Darrius Shepherd has been a huge weapon on special teams, leading the XFL with 569 kick return yards, 247 yards ahead of second place. His longest return was for 80 yards last week.

St. Louis ends its season with three straight home games, week eight vs. the Vegas Vipers, week nine against the Seattle Sea Dragons and week 10 taking on the Orlando Guardians. The best home attendance in the XFL could give them an advantage down the stretch.

Vegas Vipers (1-4): C

The Vipers have suffered some tough losses including one to Arlington in week one and another against Seattle in week three by a combined six points.

Vegas has a veteran team with 17 players that have played at least one NFL team.

At quarterback, Luis Perez has the hot hand after throwing for 266 yards and three touchdowns in their win over the Orlando Guardians. If he stumbles, Vegas could go with Brett Hundley, a mobile quarterback. The Vipers quarterbacks have combined for 10 passing touchdowns and only three interceptions. Wide receiver Jeff Badet leads the XFL with five receiving touchdowns.

Defensive lineman Maximillian Roberts is third in the XFL in sacks with five.

The Vipers face a challenging second half schedule with two games against the Battlehawks, plus road games at the Roughnecks and Sea Dragons to end the season.

South Division

Houston Roughnecks (4-1): A-

The Roughnecks run-and-shoot offense has been productive with Brandon Silvers at quarterback. He's thrown for 1,189 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Wide receiver Cedric Bryd tops the team with 20 receptions. Wide receiver Jontre Kirkland has snagged four touchdowns and averaged 16.9 yards per catch but will miss the rest of the season due to a chest injury. Other wide receivers will have to step up. Running back Max Borghi has run for 155 yards and added 15 receptions. Houston has scored the most points in the XFL with 136, and quick starts have enabled them to cruise in the second half of several victories.

Like D.C., Houston has also been a beast on defense, leading the XFL with 19 sacks, topped by linebacker Trent Harris with six, most in the league and defensive lineman Tim Ward with five. Defensive back Ajene Harris is tied for first in the XFL with four interceptions. The defense has surrendered up just 76 points, best in the XFL.

Looking ahead, this week's matchup at the D.C. Defenders could be a preview of the XFL Championship.

Arlington Renegades (3-2): C+

The Renegades can thank their defense for all three victories. Two defensive touchdowns helped them beat the Vegas Vipers 22-20, they survived against the Orlando Guardians in a 10-9 victory, and secured three interceptions in a 12-10 victory over the San Antonio Brahmas. Arlington's run defense has given up an XFL-best 69.2 yards per game. Linebacker Donald Payne is second in the XFL has recorded 38 total tackles. Defensive back Joe Powell has picked off two passes.

Arlington's offense has been another story with only five total touchdowns. De'Veon Smith has managed 175 rushing yards, fifth in the XFL, while quarterbacks Drew Plitt and Kyle Sloter have combined for only three touchdown passes and six interceptions. Tight end Sal Cannella leads the Renegades with 26 receptions.

To upgrade their offense, the Renegades signed wide receiver Victor Bolden who was the Championship MVP for the USFL's Birmingham Stallions last year. During the regular season, Bolden caught 42 passes for 422 yards and one touchdown.

Arlington could help cement a playoff berth this week with a home victory over the San Antonio Brahmas. A win could give them a three-game lead plus the tiebreaker over San Antonio.

San Antonio Brahmas (1-4): C-

Outside their 30-12 victory over the Orlando Guardians, the Brahmas offense has struggled. Jack Coan has sputtered with just 667 yards passing, five touchdowns and four interceptions. Reid Sinnett sparked the offense a little bit last week before he broke his foot in their loss against the Renegades. He will miss the rest of the season. The Brahmas place seventh in the XFL in rushing yards and passing yards.

Jordan Williams leads the XFL with 40 total tackles. Special teams has been a bright spot for the Brahmas as Parker Romo has hit seven-of-eight field goal attempts, including a league-best 57 yard field goal.

The Brahmas face a must-win game this week at the Arlington Renegades to keep hopes for a postseason berth alive.

Orlando Guardians (0-5): D

Troubles run deep in Orlando especially on defense where they have given up 152 points, worst in the XFL. Orlando has also drawn 38 flags, the highest penalty total in the league.

The offense hasn't fared much better with Paxton Lynch only passing for 737 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Recently reinstated quarterback Quinten Dormady provided a spark last week in their loss to the Vipers, completing 22 of 25 passes for 256 yards and two scores. Tight end Cody Latimer has been a bright spot with 28 receptions.

The Guardians host the next three games against Seattle, D.C. and Arlington, hoping to provide Terrell Buckley his first head coaching victory.

MIDSEASON AWARDS

Offensive MVP

Brandon Silvers, QB, Houston Roughnecks

Silvers has thrown for 1,189 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions, spreading the ball around to several different receivers. He's playing better than he did for the Seattle Dragons in 2020 when he passed for 539 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.

Honorable Mentions

• A.J. McCarron, QB, St. Louis Battlehawks - 1,086 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.

• Jahcour Pearson, WR, Seattle Sea Dragons - Leads the XFL in receptions 36, Targets 48 and yards with 430.

Defensive MVP

Trent Harris, LB, Houston Roughnecks

Harris leads the XFL with six sacks and has 15 total tackles.

Honorable Mentions

• Michael Joseph, DB, D.C. Defenders - tied for the XFL lead with four interceptions, two of them returned for touchdowns.

• Ajene Harris, DB, Houston Roughnecks - tied for the XFL lead with four interceptions.

Surprise Player

D.C. Defenders QB D'Eriq King

The Defenders have primarily used King in the redzone where he leads the team with five rushing touchdowns. He has completed six of eight passes for two touchdowns.

Players to keep an eye on the second half of the season