NOTE: There was no change in rankings this week for the first time.
1. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (4-0)
LAST WEEK: RANKED 1
LAST GAME: DEF. 32-18
NEXT WEEK: AT SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS (2-2) THURSDAY 10:30PM EST ESPN/ESPN+
In the words of DJ Khalid, “All I do is win win win no matter what.”Houston went up 20-0 in the first quarter and never looked back. Silvers had another phenomenal game, 24/30, 239 and 3 TDs.The Roughnecks also completely confused Orlando and their entire coaching staff with the double forward pass. Orlando’s coach looked as though he wasn’t aware this was a rule in the XFL. Houston is fun to watch but I can’t wait for a D.C. or Battlehawks matchup.
2. D.C. DEFENDERS (4-0)
LAST WEEK: RANKED 2
LAST GAME: DEF. VEGAS 32-18
NEXT WEEK: AT ST LOUIS (3-1) SATURDAY 7PM EST FX/ESPN+
The Beer Snake is what most people know D.C. for or maybe it’s them throwing lemons onto the field?But they should be known for being the best defense in the XFL. They gave up a lot of yards this week as a team, but you have to watch them play to understand why I say this. Offensively they keep playing the two system QB with Ta’amu and King.They get the rematch with St Louis this week. It will be interesting to see how their offense works with the crowd being such a factor.If they win again against St Louis, I will move them up to #1 next week, regardless of Houston’s outcome.
3. ST LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (3-1)
LAST WEEK: RANKED 3
LAST GAME: DEF ARLINGTON 24-11
NEXT WEEK: VS D.C. DEFENDERS (4-0) SATURDAY 7PM EST FX/ESPN+
WOW, St Louis, wow. Did you guys show up and out for this team. A record crowd of over 38,000 fans. McCarron remains effective going 20/27, 214, 2TDs, 1INT. Their run game helps take pressure off of AJ.Defensively, they play great team ball. Three players with 5 or more tackles.They get a rematch with D.C. (their only loss), but this time in the Battle Dome with another 38,000 fans.This should be the Game of the Week.
4. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (2-2)
LAST WEEK: RANKED 4
LAST GAME: LOSS TO ST LOUIS 24-11
NEXT WEEK: AT SAN ANTONIO (1-3) SUNDAY 9PM EST ESPN/ESPN+
I had a hard time not moving Arlington down and maintaining their #4 spot, but I figured the matchup this week with Seattle will settle that issue.Sloter had a rough game, throwing 3 interceptions, but despite that the Renegades stayed in the game late, 17-11.Ultimately, the 38k+ fans of St Louis made this offense struggle mightily and it showed from the opening play. Donald Payne had a fantastic game defensively with 12 total tackles on the day.I’ll say this, I’m a Sloter fan, but man they need to let him scramble, because that’s what he’s great at.
5. SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS (2-2)
LAST WEEK: RANKED 5
LAST GAME: DEF. SAN ANTONIO 15-6
NEXT WEEK: VS HOUSTON (4-0) THURSDAY 10:30PM EST ESPN/ESPN+
That’s two in a row for the Sea Dragons. DiNucci played decent this game overall. Yes he leads the league in passing yards and has three of the top receivers in the league, but they’re still middle of the pack.This is what happens when you have Jim Haslett as your coach. You get mediocrity. I don’t see that changing any time soon. I think this is about where they will stay all season. Defense is pretty good, and the offense struggles putting an entire game together, but despite all of that. They are trending up.
6. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-3)
LAST WEEK: RANKED 6
LAST GAME: LOSS TO SEATTLE 15-6
NEXT WEEK: VS ARLINGTON (2-2) SUNDAY 9PM EST ON ESPN2/ESPN+
Last week I focused on quarterback Jack Coan, while he didn’t have a great game, AGAIN. You also can’t have 11 carries for 21 yards as a TEAM for an entire game. Coan was the leading rusher at 2 carries for 9 yards.San Antonio as a city, deserves so much more, I believe they will continue to support this team, but it seems as though since allowing the Battlehawks to score 15 unanswered in under 2 minutes to win the game, it’s been downhill.If you have read any of my past recaps, I’m not and haven’t been a fan of Seattle QB DiNucci, but this defense allowed him to play decent. There’s a lot to fix, luckily their not Guardian bad.
7. VEGAS VIPERS (0-4)
LAST WEEK: RANKED 7
LAST GAME: LOSS TO D.C. DEFENDERS 32-18
NEXT WEEK: VS ORLANDO (0-4) SATURDAY 10PM EST FX/ESPN+
Vegas fired OC Duane Taylor prior to the game, which didn’t lead to much. Besides, a quarterback change. Luis Perez came in relief and went 23/32, 283 yards, 2TDs, 1 INT. He looked like the Perez of old, honestly. I believe the guy Vegas was expecting from the get-go.Vegas had their chances, was only down 14-6 at half and scored 12 in the 4th, but ultimately, the Defenders defense was too much.It was cold, rainy and not the best conditions, but nonetheless the Vipers fell short at days end. Let’s see if they stay with Perez or keep Hundley at QB or play a two QB style of game.They get Orlando this week, and someone will win this game. I’m not sure how, but it has to happen.
8. ORLANDO GUARDIANS (0-4)
LAST WEEK: RANKED 8
LAST GAME: LOSS TO HOUSTON 44-16
NEXT WEEK: AT VIPERS (0-4) SATURDAY 10PM EST FX/ESPN+
Good news? They play against Vegas this week, and someone’s got to win this. Other good news? I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but Paxton Lynch played well, 18/30 (meh) for 267 and 2 TDs, including the longest play from scrimmage this season in the XFL. (81 yard touchdown pass)The bad. They’re a bad football team, but the difference with them and Vegas is the Guardians coach just seems dazed and confused about how football is to be played, especially in the XFL. It seems like every other play he’s having a play explained to him by the refs. (The joys of mics.)They have potential and you see it, but unless a coaching change happens, this season will continue to be a major fail for Orlando.
Editor: Bobby Autin