Undefeated no more! A legendary upset shook the XFL this past weekend. How did it affect the Power Rankings? Read on to find out more.
1. DC Defenders (6-1)
DC lost 37-36 to the winless Orlando Guardians in a monumental upset that saw the Defenders commit an uncharacteristic amount of turnovers and penalties. Additionally, DC missed two field goal attempts, one from only 29 yards away. So, why are the Defenders still number one? DC has beaten every team in the league now except Orlando, including the Battlehawks twice. That resume alone keeps them at the top. Plus if DC wins this weekend, the North race will basically be over.
Up Next: vs. Seattle (Away)
2. St. Louis Battlehawks (5-2)
The Battlehawks got another great effort on both sides of the ball in week 7, winning 24-15 over the Roughnecks. St. Louis continues to look improved on all sides of the ball and on special teams. Kicker Donald Hageman nailed a 59-yard field goal in the game last weekend, making St. Louis an even bigger threat to score from anywhere.
Up Next: vs. Vegas (Home)
3. Seattle Sea Dragons (5-2)
The molten lava-hot Sea Dragons stayed that way over the weekend, winning by 24-15 over Arlington. This weekend, Seattle can jump to the number one spot in the XFL Fan Zone Power Rankings and in the XFL North with a victory over DC. The main concern for Seattle is red zone turnovers. Quarterback Ben DiNucci threw another interception in the end zone last weekend. Overall though, Seattle is playing better football and making fewer mistakes, which is a recipe for playoff success.
Up Next: vs. DC (Home)
4. Houston Roughnecks (4-3)
Houston continues to drop, as the Roughnecks have now lost three games in a row. The good news for Houston is that everyone else in the XFL South is also not playing well. 5-5 could very likely make the playoffs in the south, and the Roughnecks need just one more win to get to the five-win mark. Houston needs to get healthy, as quarterback Brandon Silvers missed last weekend with an injury. The Roughnecks have San Antonio, Vegas, and Arlington left to play, so it is a safe bet that the Roughnecks will be the number-one seed in the South.
Up Next: vs. San Antonio (Away)
5. Vegas Vipers (2-5)
Vegas surprised everyone and started quarterback Jalen McLendon in week 7. The result? The second win of the season for the Vipers. It begs the question, why was Mclendon not started sooner? Mclendon went 21-for-31 for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Sadly, Vegas plays in the XFL North and had been eliminated from playoff contention, but now the Vipers have nothing to lose and can play fast and loose for the remainder of the year. With the revamped offense, look for Vegas to ruin the postseason hopes of an XFL North contender.
Up Next: vs. St. Louis (Away)
6. Orlando Guardians (1-6)
Orlando! Where on earth did that Herculean effort come from? The Guardians caught lightning in a bottle in week 7, defeating the undefeated Defenders. Quarterback Quinten Dormady had the game of a lifetime. Dormady went 27-for-34 for 328 yards and three touchdowns through the air, and also rushed for three scores. An incredible day. The better news for Orlando? The Guardians are not out of the playoff race just yet. Orlando needs some help, but it is not out of the question.
Up Next: vs. Arlington (Home)
7. Arlington Renegades (3-4)
The Renegades have struggled offensively all year and now are riddled with injuries. Arlington is currently in second place, but poor showings over the last couple of weeks have the second-place spot in question in the South. Arlington needs to defeat Orlando this weekend to eliminate the Guardians. If quarterback Luis Perez is ready to go this week, expect Arlington to put up a few more points at least.
Up Next: vs. Orlando (Away)
8. San Antonio Brahmas (2-5)
The poor Brahmas are the most snake-bitten team in the league. Newly added quarterback Kurt Benkert suffered a rib injury and is lost for the season. San Antonio has had four quarterbacks take a snap this year, and now has added quarterback Paxton Lynch. If Lynch plays this weekend, that will make five quarterbacks in eight games. Is it any wonder that the Brahmas are on the bottom?
Up Next: vs. Houston (Home)
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