The hierarchy is beginning to form in the XFL as the top contenders in the North and South have risen. Here is this week’s power rankings.
1. Houston Roughnecks (3-0)
Houston continues to dominate the XFL. The Roughnecks sit at the top of multiple statistical categories, including sacks (13) and interceptions (5). The Roughnecks are only allowing 13 points per game, which also ranks first in the XFL. Offensively, Houston is averaging 26 points per game, another league first. The Roughnecks face the first road game this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how well Houston travels.
Up Next: vs. Orlando (Away)
2. DC Defenders (3-0)
DC faced a tough St. Louis opponent last weekend and emerged victorious. The Defenders got timely defense and big plays on offense to remain unbeaten. Statistically, DC is very similar to Houston: at the top in most categories. DC ranks second in points scored (24.6) and second in points against (17.3). The Defenders also rank second in sacks (10) and interceptions (4).
Up Next: vs. Vegas (Home)
3. St. Louis Battlehawks (2-1)
The Battlehawks lost a heartbreaker last weekend in DC, dropping to 2-1 on the season. The good news? St. Louis has yet to play a home game. This means that five of the last seven games will be home games. With St. Louis being the traditional home attendance leader in spring football, five remaining home games bodes well for the Battlehawks. The XFL is expecting upwards of 30,000 fans for the opener.
Up Next: vs. Arlington (Home)
4. Arlington Renegades (2-1)
Arlington squeaked out a win against Orlando last weekend, clipping the Guardians, 10-9. Arlington made a quarterback chance that did not provide an offensive spark as anticipated. This weekend will be a real test for Arlington, as the Renegades travel to the most hostile environment in the XFL.
Up Next: vs. St. Louis (Away)
5. Seattle Sea Dragons (1-2)
Seattle got a magical game from Ben DiNucci, and his last minute heroics gave Seattle the victory over Vegas. San Antonio has be a more stingy defense than Vegas, so this weekend matchup will be telling about the three headed monster (hydra?) that is the Sea Dragon offense. If DiNucci, Gordon, and Ellison have another big weekend, expect Seattle to continue to climb the rankings.
Up Next: vs. San Antonio (Away)
6. San Antonio Brahmas (1-2)
Which team is the real San Antonio? Is it the team that put up 30 points in week two, or the team that failed to pass for 100 yards in week three? More than likely, the Brahmas are somewhere in between. This weekend San Antonio travels to Seattle with a chance to prove what kind of team the Brahmas really are. Seattle is not nearly as stout on defense as Houston, so look for the Brahma offense to bounce back.
Up Next: vs. Seattle (Away)
7. Vegas Vipers (0-3)
Vegas lost a tough one over the weekend, losing in the last minute to Seattle, 30-26. The Vipers’ defense has not adjusted well in the second half this season, giving up 58 total points in three games, with a majority of those points surrendered coming in the 4th quarter. The Vegas offense keeps improving, so there is room for hope here, Viper fans.
Up Next: vs. DC (Away)
8. Orlando Guardians (0-3)
Orlando is in real trouble. The Guardians have yet to score more than 12 points in a game this season. With Houston coming to town, the weekend does not look promising for Orlando. Houston only allows 13 points per game and the Guardians are only averaging 11 points per game so far. Some good news: former Tampa Bay Viper quarterback Quinton Flowers has joined the roster. Flowers is a dual threat quarterback that will hopefully provide a spark for Orlando.
Up Next: vs. Houston (Home)
David Taylor can be found on twitter @DavidTaylorXFL and on instagram @xfl_football_photos
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