XFL Week 3 Power Rankings

As Week 3 approaches, the XFL is down to only two undefeated teams. Four teams stand at 1-1, and two have yet to enter the win column. Last weekend caused a bit of a shift in the Power Rankings, as DC made quite a statement against New York. Here are this week’s XFL Power Rankings:

T-1. Houston Roughnecks (2-0)

Last Week: 1st

Change: None

Houston continues to impress. Led by excellent quarterback play, the Roughnecks are 2-0 and look like an early contender to represent the west in the XFL championship game. P.J. Walker is also a standout to win league MVP. Walker has thrown seven touchdown passes and only one interception so far. The Roughneck defense is also stalwart. Houston has four interceptions and eight sacks in the two victories.

Next Game: Away vs. Tampa Bay Vipers (0-2)

T-1. DC Defenders (2-0)

Last Week: 2nd

Change +1

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DC moves into a first-place tie with Houston this week. The Defenders absolutely dominated the New York guardians over the weekend, winning 27-0. DC was impressive in every facet of the game. Cardale Jones was brilliant once again for DC, going 23-for-37 for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, DC embarrassed Guardian quarterback Matt McGloin. McGloin was 8-for-19 for only 44 yards and two interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown, the second in as many weeks. 

Next Game: Away vs. LA Wildcats (0-2)

3. St. Louis BattleHawks (1-1)

Last Week: 4th

Change: +1

St. Louis lost a close one to Houston, 28-24. The BattleHawks moved the ball well against the Roughnecks but committed too many turnovers to overcome. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu piled up yards, going 30-for-37 for 284 yards and three touchdowns. Ta’amu also threw two costly interceptions. The BattleHawks gained 390 yards on offense. Taking care of the football is going to be vitally important over the next few weeks for St. Louis. The BattleHawks face some opportunistic defenses throughout the next three games. St. Louis finally gets to have a home game in Week 3, and ticket sales have already topped 27,000. 

Next Game: Home vs. New York Guardians (1-1)

4. Seattle Dragons (1-1)

Last Week: 5th

Change:+1

Seattle needed all four quarters to eke out a victory against a struggling Tampa Bay Vipers team. The Dragons failed to score in the first half of the game. So, why are the Dragons ranked so high? In Week 1, Seattle gave DC all it wanted until wide receiver Austin Proehl fell down, resulting in a pick-6 for quarterback Brandon Silvers. Had Proehl not fallen, the Dragons could easily be 2-0. Secondly, Seattle has a stingy defense and a rabid home fan base. The Dragons kept the Tampa Bay offense out of the endzone in Week 2 and only surrendered 19 points to DC. Remember, both DC and Tampa scored defensive touchdowns against the Dragons. The Seattle defense is ready to compete. If the offense can get up to speed, Seattle is a legitimate contender. 

Next Game: Home vs. Dallas Renegades

5. Dallas Renegades (1-1)

Last Week: 6th

Change: +1

Dallas pulled out a much-needed road victory against Los Angeles in Week 2. Quarterback Landry Jones saw his first action of the season and finished with solid numbers. Jones was 28-for-40 for 305 yards and a touchdown. Jones also threw two interceptions. The real story for Dallas was the sudden emergence of the running game. The Renegades ran for 154 yards, including 99 from running back Cameron Artis-Payne. Payne rushed for two scores as well. 

Next Game: Away vs. Seattle Dragons

6. Los Angeles Wildcats (0-2)

Last Week: 7th

Change: +1

Los Angeles gave Dallas fits on Sunday. The debut of quarterback Josh Johnson certainly boosted the Wildcat performance. The former Washington Redskin quarterback was 18-for-34 for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson looked a little rusty at times, however, missing league-leading receiver Nelson Spruce on a sure touchdown pass. The team played much better overall, which was a concern coming into the week after the abrupt firing of defensive coordinator Pepper Johnson and the Anthony Johnson trade to DC. Head Coach Winston Moss took over defensive play-calling, and the Wildcats responded. LA forced three turnovers against Dallas in the loss. The Wildcats surrendered 154 yards on the ground, however, so there is still room for improvement. 

Next Game: Home vs. DC Defenders (2-0)

7. New York Guardians (1-1)

Last Week: 3rd

Change: -4

New York turned in the worst performance of Week 2, getting shut out 27-0 by the DC Defenders. New York looked like a completely different team from the previous weekend. The defense could not stop DC at all, and the offense looked like a disaster. When asked about it at halftime, quarterback Matt McGloin said the Guardians needed to “change the entire offense.” The halftime adjustments did not make any impact, as McGloin was benched in the second half. New York has a lot to straighten out this week in practice, including the quarterback situation. 

Next Game: Away vs. St. Louis BattleHawks

8. Tampa Bay Vipers (0-2)

Last Week: 8th

Change: None

Tampa was a mess after Week 1, and that trend continued in Week 2. An injury to Aaron Murray led to a quarterback carousel against the Dragons. This did not pay off, as Tampa looked out of sync for most of the game. The Vipers failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second consecutive week. Tampa had a prime opportunity in the fourth quarter of the Seattle game but was stopped short by the Dragon defense. Then, on fourth and goal from the two-yard line, trailing by five points, Tampa elected to attempt a field goal. True to form, the ball went through the holder’s hands, and the Vipers were stopped short again. Tampa needs to settle on a quarterback for the home opener this weekend. 

Next Game: Home vs. Houston Roughnecks (2-0)

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