XFL Vegas Vipers

Vegas Vipers Game Notes for Week 7 vs. San Antonio Brahmas

Published on March 29, 2023 under XFL (XFL)
Vegas Vipers News Release


Series Notes:

- This will be the first and only meeting of the season between San Antonio and Vegas.

- Head Coaches Rod Woodson and Hines Ward both played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but not as teammates as Woodson was a Steeler from 1987-96 and Ward suited up for the black and gold from 1998-2011; the players met as opponents nine times from 1998-2003

- San Antonio tight end Alize Mack hails from Las Vegas and went to high school at Bishop Gorman

LEAGUE OF OPPORTUNITY AND EXCITING GAMES

So far this season, the XFL has produced some very competitive football, as 16 of 24 XFL games through six weeks have been one-possession games (decided by 9 points or less). Despite the close scores and great endings, the league is still looking for its first overtime game. Vegas has had three, one-possession losses and one, one-possession victory, falling at the Arlington Renegades (22-20) in Week 1, against the Seattle Sea Dragons (30-26) in Week 3 and against the St. Louis Battlehawks in Week 6 (29-6). In Week 5, Vegas defeated Orlando (35-32).

DISSECTING THE LINES

So far this year, the Vegas Vipers are 1-4-1 against the spread, covering against Arlington (ARL -3) in Week 1 despite losing 22-20. As a favorite, Vegas is 0-2 as they were 3.5 favorites over DC in Week 2, but lost 18-6 in the game and were also 7.0 favorites against Orlando and won 35-32 but didn't cover the spread. As a league, favorites are 12-10-2 this season. There have been six outright upsets against the betting line this season: SEA @ DC in Week 1 (+100 moneyline), STL @ SEA in Week 2 (+135 moneyline), DC @ VGS in Week 2 (+145 moneyline), HOU @ SEA in Week 5 (+130 moneyline), ARL @ SA in Week 5 (+105 moneyline) and SA @ ARL (+130 moneyline). In the six games Vegas has played this season, the over has hit five times. The only game in which the under was the winner, was in Week 2 against DC where weather played a factor in the game during the second half. In 24 games this season, the over is 13-10-1. This week against San Antonio, Vegas is a -2.5 point favorite and the over/under line is set at 38.5 (lines according to Caesar's Sportsbook on Tuesday, March 28).

STARTING THE RIGHT WAY

The Vegas Vipers have scored on their first or second offensive possession in four of their six games this season. The only games where they didn't score on their either their first or second possession was against the DC Defenders in Week 4 and against St. Louis in Week 6. Houston was the only team this season to score on each of it's first possessions through Week 4, but failed to do so against Seattle in Week 5. Orlando has also scored on it's opening possession four times this season. DC, San Antonio and Arlington have scored on their opening possession twice, while Seattle and St. Louis have each done so once.

TALE OF TWO HALVES

Beyond scoring on either the first or second possession this season, Vegas had outscored its opposition 52-39 in the first half and didn't allow a first half touchdown until Week 3 against Seattle heading into Week 6, but after being outscored by 17 points in the first half by St. Louis, the Vipers have now allowed 56 points in the first half compared to scoring 52. The 52 first half points rank as the fifth most opening half points in the XFL this season. In the second half, it's been a different story for Vegas, as the Vipers have been outscored 95-53 in five second halves this season. The 95 points allowed in the second stanzas are the most points allowed by any XFL team in the later half this season.

WEATHER OR NOT AT CASHMAN FIELD!

In the first two games at Cashman Field in Las Vegas this season, the Vegas Vipers have had multiple opponents to face during each game, their opponent on the field and Mother Nature. In the home opener against the D.C. Defenders, rain played a factor in the second half as the skies opened up while each team went into their respective locker rooms at halftime. The rain assisted the Defender defense as the Vipers were shut out in the second half. During Vegas' second home game against Seattle, wind played a factor as gusts reached 50 miles per hour in the Las Vegas Valley.

SCORING SPREE

After scoring 26 total points in the first two games to open the season, the Vegas Vipers matched that total in a 30-26 loss against the Seattle Sea Dragons. The 56 combined points put up between the Vipers and Sea Dragons was the first game this season to break the 50-point mark. Later in Week 3, the St. Louis-DC game surpassed that total, when they scored a combined 62 points. In Week 5, Vegas scored 35 points against Orlando. It was the second most points scored by one team to date this season, only behind Houston's 44 points scored in Week 4 at Orlando. The Vipers and Guardians also combined to score the most points in the XFL this season with 67 in Week 5.

YOU BADET'CHA

Vegas Vipers wide receiver Jeff Badet has been one of the most reliable receivers for the team this season, as he has leads the team in three categories: 24 receptions, 341 yards and five touchdowns. His touchdowns lead the XFL this season, while his yardage ranks second in the league and receptions rank tied for fifth. The former Oklahoma and Kentucky standout's 14.2 yards per reception also ranks second in the league amongst receivers who have caught at least 20 passes. In Week 1 against Arlington, Badet caught two touchdowns, which were his first two touchdowns as a professional football player. Against Seattle, he had a 56-yard reception in the third quarter, which at the time was the longest reception in the XFL, but was later surpassed in the game when Josh Gordon caught a 65-yard touchdown reception and then the next day when DC's Chris Blair had a 58-yard reception. Against Orlando in Week 5, the Florida native caught five passes for 80 yards including two touchdowns.

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