Overview
The D.C. Defenders return home to Audi Field on Sunday to take on the only other undefeated XFL team: the St. Louis Battlehawks.
The Defenders are coming off a gritty road win against the Vegas Vipers, where they ran for 229 yards amidst heavy rain and poor field conditions. It seems getting off to a slow start has been a trend for them, as their first points in that game came late in the third quarter via a field goal before pouring it on in the fourth. The case was similar in their week one matchup against the Seattle Sea Dragons, where D.C. saw themselves down 9-0 at one point.
Speaking of turnarounds, the Battlehawks completed one of the greatest fourth-quarter comebacks I’ve ever seen in their week one win against the San Antonio Brahmas. Head coach Anthony Becht and his squad kept that momentum rolling in last Thursday’s victory over Seattle, but tomorrow delivers the true test in front of what’s-expected-to be a noisy Audi Field crowd.
Defenders
Though unbeaten, it has not all been sunshine and rainbows for Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. Last week, before D’Eriq King basically took over at quarterback, Ta’amu was 12 for 25 passing with only 109 yards. The Defenders went on to win 18-6, but King would not throw a single pass. Ta’amu also struggled in week one against the Dragons, throwing for a minuscule 86 yards. The passing aspect of the game for the Defenders will need improvement if they want to be championship contenders.
Nonetheless, it appears the Defenders will stick to their two-quarterback system featuring Jordan Ta’amu and D’Eriq King, with Ta’amu as the starter and occasional appearances from King out of scrambling packages.
As for the ground game, the Defenders seemed to find their rhythm against Vegas. It’ll be interesting to see how that production proceeds, especially with the shakeup the Defenders offensive line has faced due to injury. More info on the matter here.
The Defenders defense has been top-notch through two weeks of play. Last week, they held the Vipers to just six points and 194 yards from scrimmage. We’ll see how that translates tomorrow against a St. Louis offense that has seemingly found its groove.
Former Oklahoma State defensive end Jarrell Owens has wreaked havoc on opposing offensive lines with three sacks and tackles for loss thus far on the season and will be someone to look out for against the Battlehawks, who have struggled to protect the edges. Whether it be providing pressure on blitzes or bringing down the ball carrier, the D.C. linebacking core, headlined by Anthony Hines and Reggie Northrup, has stood out.
Battlehawks
The Battlehawks offense will once again be at full strength with the return of starting running back Brian Hill, who missed last week’s contest with a hamstring injury. Hill totaled 55 yards in the Battlehawks’ week one win.
Whether it be the improbable comeback he engineered in week one versus the Brahmas or the game-winning drive he led his team on last week, former Bama standout A.J. McCarron has looked like a top XFL quarterback early on. He will have his toughest challenge yet tomorrow when he faces off against the Gregg Williams-led Defenders defense. McCarron’s arsenal is full of playmakers like Hakeem Butler and Austin Proehl, who lead the team in receiving yards with 93 and 86, respectively.
The Battlehawks offensive line has already surrendered eight sacks. It will be imperative that they protect McCarron throughout the game against a Defenders team that loves to send pressure.
Defenisvely, the Battlehawks are dead last in both sacks and tackles for loss. They’re also tied for last in terms of interceptions forced, with only one that came in week one against Jack Coan and the Brahmas. Mike linebacker Willie Harvey has led the St. Louis defense with 15 tackles, including one for loss.
Final Thoughts
The beer snake officially returns to the DMV tomorrow and the atmosphere will be electric. Both offenses matchup fantastically on paper, while it looks like the Defenders defense slightly edges St. Louis. McCarron showed his ability to ball out with the entire stadium against him at the Alamodome during week one and most certainly will need to exercise that capability tomorrow.
Based on current standings, the game serves as a preview to the XFL North Semifinals.
