Week three of the XFL is in the books but the Cleveland Browns should keep an eye out on several players that played poorly and didn’t step up.
The Browns specifically should be keeping their eyes on the ever-changing landscape of the XFL. The offensive lines are coming together and the running games are getting more explosive but as teams start to stretch their legs a bit, stars are supposed to step up. That’s not what happened in week three of the XFL. With NFL teams watching these games in order to find out the type of talent that’s out there, it’s imperative for teams to step up and deliver in all facets.
Quarterbacks can’t regress, and defenses need to find their rhythm. With a huge upset to the Dallas Defenders and poor play by two of the top quarterbacks in the league so far, week three became a wild affair that threw everything we thought out.
The Browns are a team in need of receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and linebackers, and they found no shortage of potential talent in the third week of action. Some playmakers stepped back up, and others re-emerged after having all the hype surrounding them. Will some of them end up on the Browns squad after the XFL ends? Here’s hoping that there are a few real NFL caliber starters in this league and if given the chance by the Browns they could deliver. The team could easily fill some holes with inexpensive upgrades over what they had in the 2019 season.
What’s going to be fun is to see where the XFL is in another three weeks, and again in another three after that. The XFL has so much potential but is also so unpredictable still.
Houston Roughnecks vs. Tampa Bay Vipers
The Houston Roughnecks did what they were expected to do against the Tampa Bay Vipers, although it wasn’t easy. Winning 34-27, the Vipers looked their best all year and QB Taylor Cornelius nearly lead the team to a win over the only undefeated team left in the league; the Roughnecks. Cornelius was outdueled by P.J. Walker, who strolled into the front runner spot for MVP.
Roughnecks – QB P.J. Walker
P.J. Walker had another great day, topping 300 yards passing while adding on another 34 yards rushing. He threw for three more touchdowns, all to Cam Phillips. Walker continues to show those interested in quarterbacks for the 2020 NFL season that the college Draft isn’t the only place you can go to find players who can lead your team.
Roughnecks – WR Cam Phillips
Cam Phillips played on easy mode against the Vipers defense, racking up a league record 194 yards receiving on eight receptions, for all three touchdowns. After two back-to-back games of 60 plus yards, it was surprising to see Phillips step up as he did.
Vipers – WR Jalen Toliver
Besides improved quarterback play, Jalen Toliver was part of the reason why the Vipers had a shot at winning this week, putting up a 104-yard performance on eight receptions, but failed to find the endzone. If the team has found it’s passing attack with Cornelius and Toliver then the Vipers may still have a shot at the post-season.
Notes: Everything-player Nick Holley had his worse game as a pro, registering only eight yards total. The Vipers need to figure out their quarterback situation; offering deals to Tim Tebow or Johnny Manziel may not be the worst idea.
Seattle Sea Dragons vs. Dallas Renegades
The Dallas Renegades look like a team that can actually make a play for the post-season after a disastrous week one outing. While Landry Jones is still struggling to not turn the ball over, Jones has shown that he can lead a team to win. Winning ugly is more important than looking good in a loss. So if Jones continues to win with the Renegades, who cares if he throws an interception or two? The Sea Dragons are a talented team but can’t seem to find the right combinations to get their second win.
Sea Dragons – LB Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson has shown to be a reliable and impactful player for the Sea Dragons defense. He racked up another 14 total tackles, with two more for a loss this year. He now has 32 total tackles for the year, with six for a loss. He’s a bloodhound of a tackler on defense and a person the Browns should keep an eye on.
Sea Dragons – WR Austin Proehl
After not showing up at all in week two, Austin Proehl stepped up for Seattle, taking in a team-high six receptions for a team-high 81 yards, all for one touchdown. Proehl is a big player for the Sea Dragons offense and the team needs him to make plays in order to win, as QB Brandon Silvers has proven to be less than consistent.
Renegades – WR Donald Parham
After not really showing up in the first week, Donald Parham exploded in week three with 101 yards receiving on five receptions, for two touchdowns. Parham needs to be a reliable threat for Landry Jones in order to have a shot at leading the Renegades to an XFL championship.
Notes: Landry Jones looks at ease back in the pro game, smiling through all of his mistakes, he is becoming a fan-favorite among the XFL faithful. Cameron Artis-Payne had another steady game, with 80 yards on 13 carries.
New York Guardians vs. St. Louis BattleHawks
The BattleHawks were supposed to win this week but the Guardians defense actually kept MVP candidate Jordan Ta’amu in check, keeping him to under 120 yards for the first time this season. Despite Matt McGloin not playing badly, the team sat him down and Guardians head coach Kevin Gilbride even told backup quarterback Marquise Williams that he may need to step up and be a leader. So it appears as though McGloin is done as the starter in New York. The BattleHawks cruised to an easy win because of New York’s on and off-field turmoil.
Guardians – LB Ben Heeney
Ben Heeney again stepped up for the Guardians, giving the team a solid defensive outing, keeping the BattleHawks high powered offense to only two touchdowns, both of which were in the first half. Had the Guardians played better special teams or actually played well enough offensively, then this could have been a different game entirely. The Guardians’ defense is good, it just needs help. Heeney proved this with six total tackles, with two for a loss.
BattleHawks – SF Dexter McCoil
The BattleHawks safety Dexter McCoil may be one of the front runners for defensive player of the year. He’s constantly a disrupter in the secondary and can rack up tackles with the best of them. He had nine total tackles this week and helped hold the struggling Guardians offense to one touchdown late into the fourth quarter.
BattleHawks – RB Matt Jones
With Ta’amu struggling to get it going against the strong Guardians defense, the BattleHawks had to rely on running back Matt Jones, who showed up in a big way. He had 95 yards rushing on 15 carries, for 6.3 yards a carry and one touchdown. They had some more help from fellow running back Christine Michael, who scored a second touchdown but it was Jones who powered the offense in week three.
Notes: Bunmi Rotimi needs to make a bigger impact in the passing game, with only one sack and one QB hit through three weeks. Matt McGloin might be on his way out of New York after Gilbride verbally threw him under the bus in the fourth quarter. Jordan Ta’amu can’t afford many games like this if the BattleHawks are going to compete for the title. On a lighter note, it was fantastic to see the city of St. Louis welcome pro football back to the city.
D.C. Defenders vs. Los Angeles Wildcats
The Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones had his worst game ever as a pro, in any league. Throwing for only 103 yards, Jones threw four interceptions and was easily the opposing teams MVP. With Josh Johnson’s second week starting after missing week one, he looked to take advantage of Jones’ turnovers and had a monster game. He threw for three touchdowns to lead a route over the previously undefeated Defenders.
Wildcats – WR Tre McBride
When you score two touchdowns you deserve to be heralded for your performance. Clocking in 109 yards, on five receptions, McBride showed the XFL what he can do with steady quarterback play.
Wildcats – QB Josh Johnson
If he has a few more games like this, Josh Johnson could eventually become an MVP candidate. Three touchdowns, on 278 yards passing and no turnovers? That’s a heck of a day. What a difference a good quarterback makes. If he keeps his week three performance going into weeks four, five and so on, the Wildcats may just recover after their awful start.
Wildcats – LB Tre’ Williams
Linebacker Tre’ Williams showed the Defenders what he can do, having his best total game as a pro. He racked up eight total tackles, and had his first sack of the season, bringing down Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones with ease. If Williams keeps getting big plays then the Wildcats will be able to rack up some more wins.
Notes: Who’s the real Cardale Jones; was it the week one and week two MVP candidate or the four-turnover week three player? Nelson Spruce had a good game, just not good enough to crack the top three.