XFL Week 5 Sunday Games Recap

Week 5 Sunday Recap
By Chris Belcher

Sunday’s slate of games featured two marquee matchups that I covered in the Week 5 Preview a few days ago. As we are at the halfway point in the season, every win is important as we get closer to the playoffs.

DC Gets Back On Track At Home

In what some may consider an upset, the DC Defenders get back on track at home, defeating the St. Louis Battlehawks, 15-6. The Battlehawks came into the game ranking second in the XFL in points per game, but the Defenders stayed true to their name as the defense only allowed 2 field goals. While they may have given up over 300 yards, the DC defense shut out the Battlehawks in 3 red zone opportunities as well as a huge punt block, which proved to be key moments in the game. DC found a way to contain MVP candidate Jordan Ta’amu just enough, to stay perfect at home.

The DC offense wasn’t driven by their star QB Cardale Jones, but by the running game. 229 total yards on the ground as a team, led by running back Jhurell Pressley with 107 rushing yards on 15 carries. Speaking of Jones, he was benched after 2 drives, the second ending in an interception. However, head coach Pep Hamilton stated after the game that Jones’s interception was a “coincidence” and that he would remain the team’s starter. Yet he has been benched in the last 3 games. Hamilton confirmed that benching Jones in the game was “preplanned.” Backup QB Tyree Jackson entered the game and played well enough to earn the W. He threw for only 64 yards on 14 attempts, one for a TD to TE Khari Lee, as well as rushing for 32 yards, including some key 3^rd down runs. Now, it seems to me we have a QB controversy here. If you planned to bench your starting QB already, and the backup plays well enough to earn a win over the division leading team, wouldn’t you want to stick with that guy? Especially when your starter has thrown 6 interceptions in the last 3 games? I’m not a coach but I think anyone could make this decision.

The real story of this game is the Beer Snake. Yes, you heard correctly. While this game certainly had its interesting moments, nothing on the field that happened would be as exciting as the incredible Beer Snake constructed in the stands. A snake that contained 1,237 cups, which amounts to 19,792 ounces of beer consumed! Seriously, if you haven’t seen a picture or video of this thing, do yourself a favor and check it out. It is certainly a sight to behold.

LA Wins In A Wild One!

XFL teams that have traveled to the opposite coast to play are winless so far this season. However, Tampa Bay jumped out to an early 17-0 lead and appeared to be changing that trend. As I mentioned in the Week 5 Preview, LA’s defense has a tendency to give up a lot of yards, and against the XFL’s number one team in total yards, that trend continued early. LA QB Josh Johnson threw an early interception but was able to bounce back, throwing 2 TDs in the 2^nd quarter to bring the score to 24-20 at halftime. Johnson and the Wildcats would get the ball to begin the 2^nd half, score another quick TD and take the lead for good. Even though the Vipers would have a chance to tie the game late, the Wildcats held on to win the game 41-34, which is the highest scoring game so far in the XFL.

The two Quarterbacks went toe-to-toe in this shootout! Vipers QB Taylor Cornelius played a fantastic game, topping the 300 yard mark and throwing for 2 TDs, while adding 45 rushing yards and a rushing TD. However, it would be his two turnovers that would ultimately be the downfall of Tampa Bay. One of those turnovers being a strip sack, returned for a TD that would extended the LA lead to two scores late in the game.

Despite the already mentioned early interception, Wildcats QB Josh Johnson finished the game with 288 yards and 4 TD passes. This is all without standout WR Nelson Spruce, who was inactive for a second straight game. However, Johnson seems to be finding his groove with other weapons like Tre McBride and Saeed Blacknall. The key stat of the game is the red zone efficiency of the Wildcats, converting at an incredible 100% rate, 5 TDs in 5 trips. It doesn’t matter how much you’re down by in a game, if you have that kind of success, you won’t be behind for long.