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Inside the XFL

by Fran Stuchbury
Published on April 13, 2023 under XFL (XFL)


After seven weeks of close, competitive action, week eight of the XFL season brought something we haven't seen all season long: not one, but two overtime games. The St. Louis Battlehawks rallied over the Vegas Vipers, 21-17, on Saturday, and on Sunday the Houston Roughnecks defeated the San Antonio Brahmas in extra time, 17-15.

The league implemented a unique overtime format this season. Each team is allowed three attempts to score a two-point conversion from the five-yard line. The team that scores which scores more of those attempts wins the game. If the score remains tied after three tries each, teams continue alternating conversion attempts until a round concludes with one team ahead.

In its 2020 season, the XFL allowed five attempts to score before cutting to three this year.

St. Louis trailed 17-8 with 4:55 left in the fourth quarter when punter Sterling Hofrichter faked a punt and instead completed a 64-yard touchdown pass to wide-open receiver Gary Jennings to pull the Battlehawks within three points, 17-14. Kicker Donny Hageman tied the game at 17 on a field goal with 15 seconds left in regulation.

Here's how the Vipers - Battlehawks overtime game played out with XFL Director of Officials Dean Blandino explaining the rules:

The Vipers have to be kicking themselves after blowing another close game. At the end of the second quarter Vegas had a chance to kick a field goal to stretch their lead. Instead, they faked the attempt and came up short. Points in that situation could have provided enough for them to win the game.

The Battlehawks victory inches them closer to clinching a playoff spot with a victory at home over the Seattle Sea Dragons on Sunday.

At San Antonio, a Houston victory sealed a postseason spot in the South Division for the Roughnecks. If Houston defeats the Vegas Vipers on Saturday, they clinch a home playoff game.

The Roughnecks defense swarmed the Brahmas with six sacks and two interceptions, big plays which provided the difference in the game and helped the suddenly-struggling offense.

The overtime between the Roughnecks and Brahmas:

Apart from the overtime contests, the other two weekend games came down to the wire as well.

The Arlington Renegades earned a crucial victory by defeating the Orlando Guardians, 18-16, moving them to the cusp of a playoff spot.

Guardians quarterback Quinten Dormady went from a six-touchdown performance in their victory over the D.C. a week ago to coughing up five turnovers, three interceptions and two fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown. That loss eliminated the Guardians from postseason contention.

XFL Mic Drop Week 8: Arlington Renegades vs. Orlando Guardians:

The D.C. Defenders sewed up a playoff slot with a 34-33 victory over the the Seattle Sea Dragons. If D.C. defeats the Arlington Renegades they would be guaranteed a home playoff game. They could also clinch hosting duties if the Battlehawks lose a game.

Top 5 Plays of Week 8:

EXTRA POINTS

  • Saturday's Vegas Vipers - St. Louis Battlehawks contest on ESPN drew 868,000 viewers. Later, the Arlington Renegades - Orlando Guardians broadcast on ESPN kept 679,000 viewers. On Sunday the Houston Roughnecks - San Antonio Brahmas game on ABC topped the weekend showings with 1.006 million viewers and peaked at two million the last hour. The Sunday night D.C. Defenders - Seattle Sea Dragons game on ESPN2 finished with 487,000 viewers.

  • D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta'amu, Arlington Renegades defensive lineman Will Clarke and St. Louis Battlehawks running back Brian Hill were named the OurSports Central XFL Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Unsung Hero of the Week, respectively, for week eight of the XFL season.

  • Road teams went 3-1 and have now leveled the season series at 16-16.

  • Three games were decided by two points or less. Four points determined the remaining game.

  • Teams went three-of-eight on one-point conversion attempts from the two-yard line, four-of-nine on two-point conversions from the five-yard line, and one-of-four on three-point conversions from the 10-yard line.

  • Seattle Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci needs just 115 passing yards to beak the previous XFL record held by Los Angeles Xtreme quarterback Tommy Maddox in the 2001 season.

  • The Houston Roughnecks defense leads the XFL with 29 sacks and 11 interceptions.

  • D.C. Defenders running back Abram Smith tops the XFL with 720 yards rushing, way ahead of Battlehawks running back Brian Hill who has 405. Smith has 18 rushing attempts of 10 or more yards and five runs of 20 or more yards.

  • My XFL Best Bet Lock of the Week is the Houston Roughnecks -6.5 over the Vegas Vipers. Even after clinching a playoff berth, Houston should be motivated this week to lock up a home game in the postseason. The Roughnecks defense should continue its dominating run, and look for their offense to be much more productive this week. Vegas may still be dragging after a tough overtime loss to the Battlehawks. Take the Roughnecks to win and clinch first place in the South Division.
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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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