Back and better than ever. (Probably not better but definitely not worse.)
Game Analysis
LA Wildcats 14 – New York Guardians 17
“I hope they give former DII National Champ, Luis Perez some burn at QB. The kid showed that he’s better than McGloin and Williams.” – Me in last week’s OKJSBXFLPR (trademark pending)
Perez is exactly what the Guardians need at QB right now. He’s a smart decision maker with enough talent to make plays.
Another thing I mentioned last week were the interesting words from New York HC Kevin Gilbride to WR Mekale McKay. Gilbride said this to McKay, “I may need you to be a leader here because there’s guys who I thought would be better at doing that are just not.” It seems that he liked what he saw out of McKay this week.
McKay also produced on the field this week scoring the Guardians only TD.
The game was tied heading into the fourth quarter at 14.
New York K Matthew McCrane went 3/3 on field goals including a 51 yarder and this 47-yard game winner.
New York played pretty well and had a couple of moments that could give their fans some hope, like this sick blocked kick.
Los Angeles on the other hand… I don’t know what they are. They played badly in W1 without Josh Johnson against Houston, They almost/should have beaten Dallas in W2, They sh*tpumped the Defenders in W3 by 30 points, and this week, they lost to a very mediocre NY team that has had a ton of locker room problems so far in this young season.
@XFLWildcats I don’t care if you’re good or bad just be consistent so I don’t look like an idiot.
Player of the Game: Matthew McCrane, K, New York
3/3 on field goals from 23, 47, 51 yards including the game winner. The crane-man had a big day.
Seattle Dragons 16 – St. Louis BattleHawks 23
The Dragons continue to be supremely mediocre. Another loss, their only win came against Tampa in week two.
THE GOOD NEWS: I couldn’t figure out if Brandon Silvers was good or not through the first few weeks but thankfully Seattle HC Jim Zorn made the decision for me.
He started BJ Daniels in the second half after Silvers could only muster up 27 yards in the first half.
THE BAD NEWS: BJ Daniels only had 100 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT so I don’t know if he is good or not. Around and around we go.
Now to the BattleHawks. This team is #wellrounded.
The final score makes this game looks closer than it was. The BattleHawks controlled this thing all the way.
Player of the Game: Jordan Ta’amu, QB, STL
Ta’amu is becoming my new XFL crush. Stay tuned for more info.
Houston Roughnecks 27 – Dallas Renegades 20
The Dallas Renegades have a QB problem, and they had it before Landry Jones got injured.
Jones threw three first quarter interceptions. I’ve said it in previous blogs but I think the team was winning despite his performances and today they proved that was never going to last.
Jones was injured on a QB sneak late in there fourth which brought in Phillip Nelson who then went and did this.
Not necessarily his fault but considering his performance in week one, he’s not the answer.
The Roughnecks continued to be the Roughnecks. 239 yards and 2 TD for PJ Walker, he also had this PUNISHING run in the third.
Closest game of the week provided a few fun moments but the Roughnecks were able to seal it at the end.
Player of the Game: Nick Holley, WR, HOU
Houston WR Cam Phillips had a slow day with 1 catch but Legendary Kent State QB/WR, Julian Edelman I mean Josh Cribbs I mean Nick Holley picked up the slack with 8 catches for 97 yards and a TD.
D.C. Defenders 0 – Tampa Bay Vipers 25
Ali knocking out Liston, The Falcons blowing a 28-3 lead, Appalachian State knocking off #5 Michigan. They all pale in comparison to this. The Vipers beat the Defenders.
The D.C. Defenders (my team) are doing what New York was doing two weeks ago. They are falling a part. After week one I said they were the most complete team in the XFL. This week they were by far the worst.
The defense couldn’t shed block or tackle, the o-line gave poor Cardale Jones an average of about 1.3 seconds to get rid of the ball and the running backs ran directly into every pile they saw. They have become a disgrace to watch and it is embarrassing how far their play has fallen. It will be reflected in the OKJSBXFLPR (trademark pending).
Rant over.
The Vipers found an identity, Marc Trestman found out what worked well and used it to his advantage. He and his staff straight up out coached DC’s staff.
Enough of my words look at the highlights.
yadda yadda yada the Vipers win.
Player of the Game: Jacques Patrick, RB, TB
Patrick went off in this game, going for 108 yards and a TD only 9 days after he lost his father. He even scored his first pro touchdown in his first pro victory.
Thoughts with him and his family.
Awards
Player of the Week: Jordan Ta’amu, QB, STL
He’s been an absolute stud so far for the second best team in the league. His decision making gets markably better with each week and he’s impressive as hell on the move for a big guy. He’s every pro scouts biggest dream. (He’s probably going to be Aaron Rodgers backup next year.)
Team of the Week: Tampa Bay Vipers
25-0 over what I still believe is a good D.C. team. I am a firm believer in giving someone their flowers and the Vipers deserve a bouquet. Bravo to the boy Marc Trestman, I hereby rebuke all Marc Trestman slander until he loses 3 straight games, until then I am sans Trestman slander.
Game of the Week: Houston @ Dallas
This was a fun back and forth game between 2 of the top 4 XFL teams. This is a potential (insert championship game name here) matchup.
Why? of the Week: D.C. Defenders
Tweet of the Week: @XFL2020
#GoodOleWholesomeContent
Thoughts
- The XFL may have an inconsistency problem. Despite still having an undefeated team, it feels as if 6 of the 8 teams don’t have an identity, they just trade off wins and losses. Having one great team and one good team and a bunch of meh probably isn’t the best thing for the league. Not a huge issue but something to pay attention to.
- Jordan Ta’amu is the second best QB in the XFL, but I think he may get a real chance before PJ Walker. I’ll explain later. Ta’amu is a 23-year-old, 6’3″ 220 lb dual threat quarterback who plays in a well balanced NFL system. Walker plays in a run and shoot college type of offense. I would still take Walker first but I’m not an NFL GM.
- It seems like every league in the world has a Will Smith.
Maybe just three but isn’t that crazy?
- Since the introduction of sideline interviews we’ve seen a lot of players talk about losing family members. Eli Rodgers in W1, De’Mornay Pierson-El in W2, and Jacques Patrick have all talked about losing family during the season and having to deal with that, It just made me think of what some players, who aren’t in a league with this much access may be going through.
- On a more lighthearted note.
Official KJ Sports Blog XFL Power Rankings
- Houston Roughnecks (4-0) – This team is just straight up better than the others. It’s the worst game M.V.PJ and Cam Phillips have played all year and they still beat a tough Dallas team. The defense flies around, they are solid on special teams and they make plays on offense. That is a winning formula of clichés.
- St. Louis BattleHawks (3-1) – 2 straight weeks of good team football. They played Seattle who I think is bad but played well and that’s all that matters, I am very excited to see them face a good test in D.C. next week.
- Dallas Renegades (2-2) – Being at #3 here has nothing to do with their play and everything to do with play of the teams around them. Houston playing poorly on offense helped boost the way Dallas looked on D but their QB problems are evident and need to be handled, quickly.
- Tampa Bay Vipers (1-3) – The Tampa Bay Vipers won a football game. Marc Trestman isn’t a buffoon. Get wild Tampa.
- New York Guardians (2-2) – After calling out how bad his first 2 QB’s were and replacing them with Luis “The Legend” Perez, it seems like Kevin Gilbride has won back the locker room. The played well against LA and played great defense in crunch time.
- LA Wildcats (1-3) – Dude idek.
- Seattle Dragons (1-3) – I said this last week, “Honestly this is one of the most boring football teams I’ve ever watched. They’re just so bland.” I feel the same way.
- D.C. Defenders (2-2) – Awful, that performance made my head hurt. Maybe I’m being harsh because I expect more as a fan, maybe I should put them above New York and Seattle, the two teams they manhandled. Maybe you should mind your own business. F- for the Defenders. You stunk today.
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