The XFL playoff image is coming into focus after a wild Week 9.
The Houston Roughnecks and their feared protection confirmed why they’re the highest staff within the South Division with a victory over the Vegas Vipers, however home-field benefit all through the XFL postseason goes to the D.C. Defenders.
The Defenders improved to 8-1 with a 28-26 win over the Arlington Renegades, holding on in extra time to safe the North Division title.
The Renegades shedding meant the San Antonio Brahmas stayed alive for another week after they survived an Orlando Guardians rally for a 25-23 win.
Simply because the South Division’s second spot is up within the air, so is the North Division’s. The Seattle Sea Dragons beat the St. Louis Battlehawks 30-12 on Sunday to create a tie for the second spot and arrange a Week 10 that might contain a number of tiebreakers getting used to find out who makes the playoffs and who’s eradicated.
We hold you up to date with the newest information, greatest highlights and most pivotal moments from this week within the XFL.
Each XFL recreation shall be streamed stay on ESPN+, and they’re accessible on the ESPN household of networks (ABC, ESPN and FX).
Soar to:Recaps | Greatest playsTweets | Quotes
This weekend’s video games
The Roughnecks entered Saturday’s recreation having already clinched home-field benefit within the South Division, however had an uncharacteristically sluggish begin. Houston turned the ball over on its first two possessions and trailed 12-0 halfway by means of the second quarter.
Then the Roughnecks’ protection stepped up.
Deandre Johnson knocked the ball out of Vegas quarterback Jalen McClendon’s hand, and Tavante Beckett scooped up the fumble and ran 30 yards to the home, flipping into the top zone to spark the Roughnecks to victory.
0:39
Houston scores first TD on a scoop-and-score
Deandre Johnson grabs the free ball and takes it to the home for a Houston landing.
Houston’s D wasn’t achieved after Johnson’s rating. Trailing 12-6 halfway by means of the third quarter, Houston’s Ajene Harris stripped Vegas huge receiver Martavis Bryant after a brief achieve and ran 13 yards into the top zone because the Roughnecks took a 13-12 lead they’d not relinquish.
0:30
Roughnecks pull nearer with an Ajene Harris TD
Ajene Harris forces the fumble and flips into the top zone for a Houston landing.
On a day when Houston quarterback Brandon Silvers struggled — 16-for-27, 105 yards, two interceptions — the remainder of the Roughnecks stepped up. Max Borghi and Brycen Alleyne mixed for 116 dashing yards and every scored a landing, whereas the protection scored two TDs, sacked McClendon 4 occasions and stopped the Vipers’ late comeback try, forcing two incompletions from the Houston 18-yard line to finish the sport.
WE DONT LOSE FAITH! WE JUST PUSH FORWARD! ROUGHNECKS W pic.twitter.com/seds5ap4Lv
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) April 15, 2023
The Brahmas saved their playoff hopes alive Saturday due to a powerful passing assault and well timed protection.
Needing a win to remain alive within the South Division playoff race, quarterback Jack Coan threw for 302 yards and a landing whereas Drew Beasley returned an interception 20 yards for a landing as San Antonio held on to beat the Orlando Guardians 25-23.
The Brahmas trailed 14-3 halfway by means of the second quarter, however Coan led San Antonio to a few straight scoring drives of over 70 yards.
Nick Holley had 4 catches for 105 yards, together with a 34-yard seize proper earlier than halftime to arrange Jacques Patrick’s 6-yard landing run to deliver San Antonio inside 14-10.
1:52
Jacques Patrick runs in 6-yard TD simply earlier than halftime for Brahmas
The San Antonio Brahmas rating their first landing of the sport simply earlier than halftime towards the Orlando Guardians.
Coan then orchestrated a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 29-yard discipline purpose that lower the deficit to 14-13. After the Brahmas pressured a punt on the following drive, Coan threw a 28-yard landing to Travis Toivonen that made it 19-14.
1:04
Travis Toivonen makes catch and breaks free for a 28-yard Brahmas TD
Travis Toivonen provides the Brahmas their first lead with a 28-yard landing catch.
Up 19-17 within the fourth, Drew Beesley tipped a Quinten Dormady display screen go to himself and ran 20 yards for a landing to increase the lead. However the Guardians, who introduced Deondre Francois again into the sport at quarterback, lower the deficit to 25-23 on a 3-yard landing to Andrew Jamiel.
San Antonio stopped the two-point try, then ran out the clock to carry on for the victory. It wasn’t till Sunday afternoon till the Brahmas would understand they’d be alive for another week.
The Defenders withstood a livid Renegades rally to clinch home-field benefit all through the XFL postseason and maintain on for 28-26 extra time win on Sunday.
Jordan Ta’amu’s two-point conversion to Josh Hammond broke a 26-26 tie, then the Defenders broke up a Luis Perez go to seal the victory.
Up 20-9 thanks to 2 Fortunate Jackson landing catches, D.C. prolonged its lead when D.J. Swearinger returned a Luis Perez interception 62 yards to make it a 26-9 ballgame.
0:53
Choose-six! Defenders take it to the home for a TD
D.J. Swearinger picks off Luis Perez and takes it to the top zone for a landing.
The Defenders have been threatening to attain once more, driving into the crimson zone, however a Joe Powell interception began Arlington’s livid rally. After a penalty negated Powell’s pick-six, the Renegades scored on the primary of De’Veon Smith’s two dashing touchdowns to get inside 11.
The Renegades then picked off D’Eriq King on the Arlington 25, then drove 67 yards downfield for one more Smith landing with 1:20 to go.
0:22
De’Veon Smith scores his second TD of the sport
De’Veon Smith rushes into the top zone for a 1-yard landing.
On the following fourth-and-15, Perez threw a 25-yard completion to Sal Cannella to increase possession. They gained a problem that in any other case would have led to a turnover on downs, then kicked a game-tying 27-yard discipline purpose with 5 seconds to go to arrange extra time.
With the loss, the Renegades have to both beat the Houston Roughnecks subsequent Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+) or hope that the Brahmas lose to the Defenders on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+) with a purpose to clinch a playoff spot.
Ben DiNucci threw two touchdowns and added one other on the bottom because the Sea Dragons stayed alive within the North Division playoff race with a 27-12 win over the St. Louis Battlehawks.
DiNucci, the league’s main passer, accomplished 20 of 30 passes for 242 yards and ran for 38 yards on seven makes an attempt for Seattle, which must beat the Vipers on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN+) and the Battlehawks to lose to the Guardians subsequent Saturday (midday ET, ESPN/ESPN+) to make the playoffs.
DiNucci threw a 2-yard landing go to Jordan Veasy within the second quarter and a 68-yard catch-and-run to Jahcour Pearson that made it 20-9 halfway by means of the third. However his most spectacular play got here within the fourth quarter along with his legs, as he scrambled 8 yards up the center and lowered his shoulder as he crossed the purpose line.
Ben DiNucci takes it in for the TOUCHDOWN 27-12 🐉 #XFL2023 | #BreatheFire pic.twitter.com/v5mV6hC41c
— Seattle Sea Dragons (@XFLSeaDragons) April 16, 2023
AJ McCarron threw for 186 yards, a landing and two interceptions for the Battlehawks, who fell to 6-3. His 42-yard landing to Darrius Shepherd gave St. Louis a 9-8 lead halfway by means of the second quarter, however the Battlehawks punted or turned the ball over on seven of their last eight drives of the sport.
Greatest performs
Punter exhibits off his arm
Orlando pulled out all of the stops for this faux punt, the place Mac Brown confirmed off he additionally has a cannon for an arm with a 69-yard completion to … who else however KD Cannon (pun supposed)?
MAC BROWN WITH A FAKE PUNT FOR A HUGE 69-YARD GAIN 😳@XFL2023 | @XFLGuardians pic.twitter.com/BjTfsfjMT0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 16, 2023
Air Alleyne
Alleyne leapt from the 3-yard line over two defenders to attain this unbelievable Roughnecks landing. He wasn’t achieved, both, celebrating with a backflip.
0:30
Brycen Alleyne’s TD extends Houston’s lead
Brycen Alleyne leaps into the top zone for a 14-yard Houston landing.
Stayin’ alive
For the fourth time this season, a staff transformed a fourth-and-15 make-it-take-it try. This was the primary try for the Renegades, and it got here at an ideal time.
THE @XFLRENEGADES HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN OR TIE THE GAME AFTER CONVERTING A 4TH AND 15‼️
They have been down 9-26 within the third Quarter. pic.twitter.com/ENAkH899jA
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 16, 2023
Jahcour’s jukes
Jahcour Pearson caught this go on the Seattle 46-yard line. He then broke a number of tackles, wove out and in of site visitors and ran down the fitting facet to attain a 68-yard landing.
0:38
Jahcour Pearson goes 68 yards for a Sea Dragons TD
Ben DiNucci connects with Jahcour Pearson for a 68-yard landing because the Sea Dragons lead 20-9.
High tweets
Ought to we name Beesley’s interception the tip-six? Not solely was it one of the vital pivotal performs within the XFL this week, nevertheless it additionally captured the eye of The Rock.
One ☝🏾 for the D-line boys!! #TipPick6 Beesley 🏈Loopy thrilling recreation!!@XFLBrahmas congrats on the massive house win and staying alive!! @XFL2023 https://t.co/Nvt2LEsCgU
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 16, 2023
DiNucci silenced the gang after his 68-yard landing to Pearson, and the Sea Dragons made positive they have been loud in stopping St. Louis from celebrating a playoff berth Sunday.
St. Louis why you so quiet👂#XFL2023 | #BreatheFire pic.twitter.com/uV4Ydyah6s
— Seattle Sea Dragons (@XFLSeaDragons) April 16, 2023
Quotes
“Have a look at the rating!” Caliph Brice desires to verify everybody knew in regards to the Roughnecks win.
Secure to say we have now some comfortable gamers on the sector!!
HOUSTON LETS RUN IT BACK 🏟️🔥#XFL | #roughnecknation pic.twitter.com/KqDp0sCKvu
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) April 15, 2023
The Brahmas have been quietly — maybe not so quietly — rooting for the Defenders to beat the Renegades to maintain their playoff hopes alive. And with the Defenders’ extra time victory, San Antonio’s playoff goals stay for another week.
Secretly rooting for the @XFLDefenders proper now 😅
In spite of everything we’re all one BIG comfortable #XFL household #XFL2023 | #HornsForward
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 16, 2023
