XFL – Week 2 – Sunday Recap
By Chris Belcher
Sunday’s Week 2 games continued the trend of Saturday – separating the contenders from the pretenders.
Sunday’s first game was a marquee matchup between the Dallas Renegades and the LA Wildcats. Even though both teams were coming off poor performances, this was still a highly anticipated game because of the circumstances surrounding the game. LA was the only team to make a coaching change last week, as they fired Defensive Coordinator Pepper Johnson, as well as releasing Linebacker Anthony Johnson. This left Head Coach Winston Moss with the duty of calling plays on defense. The Wildcats also inserted NFL journeyman Quarterback Josh Johnson into their lineup. Johnson was unavailable last week due to injury.
On the other side, the much anticipated XFL debut of Quarterback Landry Jones as he reunites with his college coach Bob Stoops. Combine this combination with the famous “Air Raid Offense” from Offensive Coordinator Hal Mumme, the Renegades were feeling good about ending this skid. Add to that the fact that Coach Stoops, in his career, has never lost back-to-back regular season games.
However, despite the debut of two experienced Quarterbacks, the first three quarters of the game featured struggling offenses, a combined 5 turnovers between the teams, and a total score of 6-3 in favor of Dallas. This means for 7 quarters so far in the regular season, all 15 Dallas points belong to Kicker Austin MacGinnis.
Both defenses seemed to decide to take the fourth quarter off in this game as the offenses finally came alive. Wildcats Wide Receiver Nelson Spruce would catch a TD pass from Josh Johnson to put LA ahead. Dallas would answer back with 2 TDs of their own, one from Cameron Artis-Payne on the ground, and one through the air caught by Tight End Donald Parham. LA would add another Spruce TD as well as the XFL’s first 3-point conversion. However, it would not be enough, as Dallas would add the nail in the coffin with another Artis-Payne rushing TD and edge out the victory, 25-18.
Landry Jones threw for over 300 yards in his XFL debut but would still call the game “one of my worst games ever.” The Renegade running backs would bail him out through the course of the game as they would double up the Wildcats on yards per carry (6.4 to 3.2) and total rushing yards (154 to 57). Tight End Donald Parham would be Jones’s go-to guy throughout this game, leading the team with 5 catches on 11 targets, 76 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats will be looking to end their losing streak next week but will be welcoming the red-hot DC Defenders to their home stadium. Dallas will travel to Seattle to take on the Seattle Dragons, who are also coming off their first win.
The second game of the day featured two undefeated teams, arguably the two best in the league, the Houston Roughnecks and the St. Louis Battlehawks. Per Pro Football Focus, these are the top two offensive and defensive teams in the XFL, coming into Week 2. After winning the XFL Star of the Week in Week 1, all eyes would be on PJ Walker to see what he would do as an encore. Well XFL fans, this guy is the real deal. Even though he only threw for 170 yards, those yards were well-timed. He hooked up with Wide Receiver Cam Phillips in the end zone three times and led the Roughnecks to a 28-24 victory. The offensive numbers for Houston may not have been flashy, as they were outgained on the ground and through the air by St. Louis, but the Roughnecks made the most of their opportunities, turning all four of their red zone trips into touchdowns.
Jordan Ta’amu threw for 284 yards and 3 TDs, as well as adding a rushing touchdown, but was a victim of the rules of extra point conversions in the XFL. While St. Louis scored the same number of touchdowns as the Roughnecks, the Battlehawks were 0-4 in extra point conversions, which ended up being the difference in the game. Ta’amu was also had some assistance in last week’s game from Running Back Matt Jones in the running game, but he was held to under 50 yards during this contest, despite having a receiving touchdown. Give credit to the Roughnecks defense as even though they surrendered 4 TDs, they also forced 2 turnovers and held strong when it mattered. A true bend-but-don’t-break effort. On the other side, the Battlehawks defense were not as dominate as last week. Comparatively speaking, their defense only had 1 QB sack, compared to 4 last week, as well as not being able to force a turnover this week.
The Houston Roughnecks will take their undefeated record on the road against a winless Tampa Bay Vipers team, while the St. Louis Battlehawks will host a struggling New York Guardians squad.
Analysis – Contenders or Pretenders?
Dallas Renegades vs. LA Wildcats – While it took three quarters, both offenses finally came to life. However, it seems that both of these teams would fall into the Pretenders category. Dallas may have found some offensive rhythm with their run game, Landry Jones still struggled with accuracy throughout the day. They also have to travel to play a tough Seattle team in Week 3. Meanwhile, the winless Wildcats will host the only other undefeated team in the league, the DC Defenders and QB Cardale Jones. If the Wildcats are to make an impact in the standings, a win next week is a must. Going 0-3 in a 10-game season will be very difficult to recover from.
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Houston Roughnecks – Both of these teams fall into the Contenders category. Despite losing this week and falling to 1-1, St. Louis has a favorable conference matchup against New York next week at home as they look to recover. Jordan Ta’amu and the Battlehawks offense will look to bounce back against a defense who allowed almost 400 total yards and surrendered 27 points in Week 2. PJ Walker will look to continue his dominating ways against a winless Tampa Bay squad. Going 3-0 in a 10-game season really helps put Houston in the driver’s seat in the Western Conference.