This Sunday the Tampa Bay Vipers (0-3) take on the D.C. Defenders (2-1) at 7 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium; the game will be aired on ESPN2.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Quinton Flowers isn’t playing this week. Why the hell would I want to watch this game? Good question.
I have one solid reason, and another kind of flimsy one.
The first reason? Cardale Jones.
He’s one of the most explosive players in the XFL, having thrown for close to 600 yards over his first two games (despite that dud of a game against the Los Angeles Wildcats last week.) Who doesn’t love watching explosive offenses?
The second reason is we could be witnessing the first win of the season for the Vipers. And if the team extends its winless streak, then we could could very well be seeing the last of head coach Marc Trestman. I know, both of those situations—a Vipers win and Trestman’s firing—are far-fetched. The Defenders are heavy favorites, and Trestman is unlikely to be canned after just four games (and only having his starting quarterback actually play in one of them)—but a man can dream.
As far as the actual game goes, these teams are on opposite ends of the spectrum in regards to the way things are going this season. The Vipers have yet to establish an identity. The team’s inconsistent play is a big reason for the winless start to the year. Offensively the Vipers finally showed up last week, but its horrendous defensive performance was the team’s undoing and may be a sign of things to come.
The Defenders are coming off of a brutal loss to the Los Angeles Wildcats this past Sunday, getting blown out 39-9. Former Ohio State quarterback, and current Defenders quarterback, Cardale Jones finally came back down to Earth with his first loss as a starter since… well, since his high school days. He threw four interceptions with no touchdowns, and most of the Defenders’ 290 net yards of offense came on the ground (Jones only threw for 103 yards.)
This is not a reason to get hopeful. The Vipers are 0-3 for a reason, and the Defenders’ first loss of the season may have just made the team mad. Jones may come out firing, as his first two games as an XFL starter were phenomenal, throwing for 599 yards and four touchdowns. Looking at how Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker lit up the Vipers defense last week, the Vipers could be in trouble on that side of the ball.
Looking at the Vipers’ offensive production last week, you could get fooled into thinking the team might have another big day. But the Defenders defense is nothing to sneeze at. Taking away last week’s numbers (I mean, how much can the defense really do when your quarterback throws four picks?), the Defenders have only given up 19 points total this year, all coming in D.C.’s first game against the Seattle Dragons. In the Defenders’ second game against the New York Guardians, New York quarterback Matt McGloin played a horrendous first half, throwing a pair of interceptions with only 44 yards passing. The Guardians ended up getting shut out, and McGloin didn’t even return for the second half, being replaced by Marquise Williams (who was replaced by Luis Perez this past week in the Guardians’ 29-9 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks. Sheesh.)
All signs are pointing to another Vipers loss, but maybe the impossible will happen. Eh, on second thought, probably not. I wonder if the Bucs are going to resign Jameis?
Follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter to get the most up-to-date news + views. Subscribe to our newsletter, too.
This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 5, 2020.
