Apart from the Roughnecks, the XFL teams are in the dark.
Fifth week for the spring league, and a new wave of surprises in XFL. Houston is alone in the world, the rest is total chaos.
Poster of the week
Seattle Dragons (1-4) – Houston Roughnecks (5-0) : 23-32
The only undefeated team this season, the Roughnecks were ultra-favorites in this opposition against the Dragons and the odds on Sbo were safe. But Seattle did more than defend, however, causing unusual mistakes at Houston and raising doubts about the Western Conference leader.
P.J. Walker (27/38, 351 yards, 3 TD and 2 Int) alone illustrates his team’s concerns. Favorite for the MVP title, he blew hot and cold in this game. By the way, it is his fumble that launches the Dragons, fearsome of efficiency and who takes 14 points ahead in the first quarter. B.J. Daniels (14/22, 114 yards, 30 yards running and 2 TD) launched his team thanks to his ability to improvise with his legs when the receivers are not open.
Houston came back before halftime, led by a Nick Holley who made the move of the week to give his defenseman a cold and score a 50-yard touchdown. Perfect tie at half-time, the Roughnecks regained momentum.
Walker was to lead his team again with an interception from Marko Myers, who turned on the 1, and converted by his quarterback. 23-14, Houston had their backs against the wall and relied on their receiver Cam Phillips (see MVP section), who set the end of the game on fire. With two touchdowns in the last quarter, he allows his team to make the difference and remain undefeated.
Seattle Dragons concede a fourth loss this season, but paradoxically it is certainly the most encouraging performance of the season for them.
The other games of the week
New York Guardians (3-2) – Dallas Renegades (2-3) : 30-12
Dallas wanted to continue their good run despite the absence of starting quarterback Landry Jones, but the Renegades’ inability to produce attacking play ended up being fatal to the Renegades. After a soporific first half, the Renegades limited the break with a score of 6 all over despite a sluggish Phillip Nelson (28/29, 210 yards, 2 Int).
It was early in the second half that the Guardians made the difference, taking advantage of the generosity of the opposing defense to score two touchdowns, including an 80-yard pass from Luis Perez (16/30, 229 yards, 1 TD and 1 Int) to Colby Pearson (95 yards, 1 TD). But the coup de grâce came from the New York defense, and the defensive end Ryan Mueller returning an interception for a touchdown. (27-6)
Dallas saves the day on a 97-yard kickoff return, but it is a third loss for the Renegades as they continue to put up inconsistent performances. The Guardians also lost, but the Guardians came away from Texas with a positive assessment.
Saint-Louis BattleHawks (3-2) – D.C Defenders (3-2) : 6-15
Despite two disastrous performances, the Defenders had decided to maintain confidence in quarterback Cardale Jones. Second pass: interception, and replacement by Tyree Jackson (9/14, 64 yards, 1 TD).
This salutary decision gave the Defenders a boost, and they regained their imagination and scored the first touchdown of the match. Runner Jhurrell Pressley (107 yards) carries his team, but the score is 6-6 all-around at halftime.
Fortunately for D.C., St. Louis’ performance was even more indigestible than that of the capital’s players. The attack advances, notably thanks to L’Damian Washington (114 yards), but the inability to find the end zone is very detrimental to the BattleHawks. A miss on fourth and a blocked punt will make the difference, and Washington will win 15-6 in a totally indigestible game.
