DC Defenders receiver Chris Blair takes a reception out of bounds in an XFL playoff game against the Seattle Sea Dragons at Audio Field, April 30, 2023. (Twitter)
A tail of two halves
In the biggest game of his professional career, D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw for an impressive 258 yards and two touchdowns on 19/31 of his passes completed in his team’s 37-21 win over the Seattle Sea Dragons in the 2023 XFL North Championship to secure a spot in the XFL Championship. However, although the final score appears unbalanced, it wasn’t always as one-sided as it may’ve seemed, as both teams entered halftime tied at nine apiece after back-to-back interceptions thrown by Ta’amu, including one in the redzone that prevented D.C. from taking control before the half. But this is where the Sea Dragons seemingly gave up.
Defenders’ domination
Coming out of the break, the Defenders dictated the tone of the second half with a methodical 11-play touchdown drive to take the lead. From there, Seattle had a chance to respond, but didn’t, as Jim Haslett’s squad went three-and-out and punted, giving D.C. a chance to extend their lead. News flash: they did, thanks to an electric 26-yard grab from Ethan Wolf to cap off another coherent drive from D.C. But the scoring didn’t stop here.
Going into the fourth quarter up 23-9, it was really about managing the clock, a matter which the Defenders struggled with in week nine against Arlington after their 26-9 lead evaporated within the fourth quarter in a game that the Defenders eventually won in overtime. However, these concerns were put to bed with two fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns from newly acquired Cam’Ron Harris. Seattle also mounted two more scores, but these efforts came as too little, too late.
Harris, former Miami (FL) running back, was making his XFL debut after signing with D.C. during week nine following Ryquell Armstead’s release. Overall, he had five carries for 25 carries, including his two previously mentioned touchdowns relieving Abram Smith. Smith, the XFL rushing leader, had 23 carries amidst crummy conditions, which weren’t as bad as many expected. Clearly not for Seattle, who handed off to Phillip Linsday just twice.
On the passing side, while his squad came up short, Ben DiNucci didn’t go out without a fight, as he had 295 passing yards and three touchdown passes on 31/48 of his passes completed. It’s also worth noting that DiNucci went without throwing an interception for the first time since week two against the St. Louis Battlehawks – an interesting feat considering the pressure-heavy defense he went against.
First half
The XFL North champions started by matching Seattle’s field goal on their opening drive behind an electric 56-yard catch from Briley Moore to set up 1st & goal. D.C. uncharacteristically couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity to score more than three points with two runs from Abram Smith to no avail and an incomplete pass on third down. But they made up for it on their next offensive series that ended with an electric 44-yard touchdown from Lucky Jackson.
Meanwhile, things started shakily for the Sea Dragons, whose receivers had five drops amidst rainy conditions during the first quarter, holding them back from getting anything more than a field goal out of their first two drives. But after the rain cleared up in the second quarter, DiNucci engineered a game-tying drive that ended with an acrobatic grab from XFL receiving leader Jahcour Pearson in the endzone.
Regardless of the result, Pearson capped off a tremendous season with six catches for 56 yards. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the XFL receiving leader with an NFL squad this fall.
What’s next?
As an XFL fan, I was disappointed the game didn’t come down to the wire like these teams’ last two matchups. But still, a great product displayed by both teams, nonetheless. The sellout atmosphere from Defenders fans also added to the product and surely played a role in the contest’s outcome.
Unfortunately, there will be no XFL football next weekend, as the two teams competing in the championship will get a much-deserved bye. But if the XFL championship at the Alamodome will be anything like the Renegades-Defenders week nine meeting, expect a good one.
