The St. Louis BatlleHawks might be the best team in the Eastern Conference, but they are in a three-way tie for first place with the DC Defenders and New York Guardians. Can they succeed this week employing the same game plan that failed them last week in the nation’s capital? They may have to, because this coaching staff is committed to establishing the run.
And guess what? So are the Tampa Bay Vipers, who may be on the losing end of things this season but could be trending “upward.” They are starting to put some points on the board, and that is something all opponents have to be wary about.
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The Vipers and BattleHawks will trade blows late Saturday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The game will be televised by Fox Sports 2.
TIME: 5 PM ET on Saturday
TV: FS2
CURRENT XFL LINE: BattleHawks -3 (-120)
O/U: 42 points
About the BattleHawks (3-2):
Did the formula work for St. Louis last week? Well, yes and no. The BattleHawks did have 173 rushing yards, which is something they obviously like, and they did not turn the ball over. But the Defenders, who pulled quarterback Cardale Jones in favor of Tyree Jackson, played keep away against Jonathan Hayes’ team, running the ball on 41 of 57 snaps and doing it very successfully, as they averaged 5.6 yards a pop.
St. Louis did not produce through the air at the critical times, leading to a 15-6 defeat. Jordan Ta’Amu went 15 of 25 for 174 yards. Matt Jones (70 yards) and Christine Michael (69) moved the ball on the ground, so there’s no tangible reason for the team to abandon its dependence on the run game going forward. But the ‘Hawks ran just 58 offensive plays, and they had no handle on Jhurell Pressley, who more than doubled his rushing total from the previous four games (with 107 yards).
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. DC Defenders Week 5 Highlights | XFL 2020
St. Louis is still allowing fewer points than any other team in the XFL, yielding an average of 15.4 over these first five games. But they haven’t been especially stout against the run, allowing 5.4 yards per carry. What they have been able to do is limit the damage that can be done by opposition passing attacks, surrendering a minuscule 5.4 yards per pass attempt. They loaded up on defensive backs when they went to camp, anticipating that the XFL was going to be very much a pass-first league.
According to the grades that are issued by Pro Football Focus, a very well-regarded site for advanced statistics, the BattleHawks’ overall offensive AND defensive grades are second in the league, right behind the undefeated Houston Roughnecks.
About the Vipers (1-4):
Even though they were on the short end of a wild one in Los Angeles last weekend, losing 41-34 to the Wildcats, this Tampa Bay squad continued to offer evidence that the distance they travel up and down the field is translating into points. Quarterback Taylor Cornelius threw a pair of interceptions, and he did fumble on a sack, with L.A. running it in for a score. But he looks a little more in command of the offense, throwing for 300 yards (8.8 per attempt). And he was also able to scamper a bit and pick up yardage on his own, with 45 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Tampa Bay Vipers vs. LA Wildcats Week 5 Highlights | XFL 2020
We’ve seen no indication that Aaron Murray, who began the season as the starter, is about to get his job back. Quinton Flowers, who returned to the team last week but is still looking for a trade, appears to be out of the picture.
For a 1-4 team, it is indeed odd that the Vipers are not only leading the XFL in offensive yards per game (391.8), they are surrendering the fewest yards per contest (258.8). So they are +133 per game in the yardage category, but minus-3.4 points per contest where it counts the most.
Some questions surround the team’s running back duo from an injury standpoint. De’Veon Smith, the leading rusher (365 yards) is dealing with a foot injury and is practicing lightly. Jacques Patrick has removed from the game in the second quarter in a lot of pain from a back injury. The Vipers proceeded to go scoreless on five straight possessions and blow a 24-6 lead. He was sitting out practices early in the week. Any optimistic forecast for the Vipers has to assume his participation.
Extra Points
1. Last week’s game between the BattleHawks and Defenders produced 402 rushing yards, which is the most in the XFL so far this season.
2. This may be hard to believe, but St. Louis is not #1 in the XFL in rushing yards. The BattleHawks are actually second, with 155.8 yards per game, while the Vipers are first with 165.6.
3. Tampa Bay will be hoping for more support from the home crowd. Their home opener brought 18,117 fans to Raymond James Stadium, but that number dipped to 12,249 two weeks ago.
