It’s just one win. I get it. No reason to think the Vipers are the best team in the XFL or anything. But think about it.
These past two games have been encouraging, given the fact that the Vipers have been inconsistent all year. The team's start—including its 34-27 loss to the Houston Roughnecks—was abysmal to say the least. But the Roughnecks have emerged as the best team in the XFL, so losing by only seven points is nothing to sneeze at. Then, to turn around and beat a good team in embarrassing fashion? That means you might have something going.
The Vipers looked like they could have run through a brick wall with their two-headed monster of a backfield features Jacques Patrick and De’Veon Smith. They both ran for 100-plus yards, and at some points of the game Patrick looked like a man possessed, running through would-be tacklers and turning short, three-yard runs into solid, eight or nine-yard gains.
Tampa Bay plays the Los Angeles Wildcats in a week five matchup this Sunday in California, and L.A.'s run defense is atrocious. The Wildcats' first game against the Houston Roughnecks was the only game where the team didn’t give up 100 yards on the ground (and it probably didn’t happen only because the Roughnecks had 265 yards through the air). So, if the trend stays true, the Vipers could have another big game on the ground. That is if head coach Marc Trestman remains steady in his commitment to the run.
In addition to the advantage the Vipers seem to have on that side of the ball, the Vipers’ defense looked dominant this past week against Cardale Jones. Given, Jones looks to be coming back down to Earth following his torrid start as an XFL starter with the DC Defenders, but it was still an impressive effort. Their constant blitzing put Jones in some tough spots, rushing throws and looking severely shaken.
The Wildcats’ offense is built around the pass. They have yet to rush for over 100 yards as a team (although they came very close in week one with 93 rushing yards), so their offense is a bit one-dimensional. This will allow defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville to do his thing, his thing being calling nothing but blitzes. Pass rushers can pin their ears back and get after Wildcats quarterback and former Buc Josh Johnson. Johnson’s play as of late has been masterful, throwing 7 touchdowns with only one interception with 788 yards through the air. Plus, despite Johnson’s success in college using his legs, his use of legs has been nonexistent in the XFL, with only 11 yards rushing in his 3 games under center. One less thing to worry about, eh?
One point of concern for the Vipers though? Quinton Flowers.
He’s probably not going to be on the team for the rest of the year. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Flowers requested a trade from the Vipers, citing his lack of playing time as a big reason for the request. Flowers even reportedly went as far to say that the Vipers weren’t really serious about using him as a player, but more as a “marketing tool.” Well, the announced attendance for this past week’s game (12,249) was lower than the average Rays’ attendance average this past year, a severe drop off from the first Vipers game’s attendance numbers, which topped 17,000. This was following Flowers taking time away from the team, citing “personal reasons.” Coincidence? I think not.
Other than my favorite college player crapping on the team, for once it is a time of optimism for the Tampa Bay Vipers (bet you never thought you’d read that). The Vipers have a chance to establish their first winning streak in team history (hey, two games is still a winning streak), and get right back into the thick of things in regards to the playoffs. Finally.
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This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 5, 2020.