ESPN group of workers
The XFL playoff image is getting into focal point then a wild Time 9.
The Houston Roughnecks and their feared protection confirmed why they’re the supremacy crew within the South Category with a victory over the Vegas Vipers, however home-field merit all the way through the XFL postseason is going to the D.C. Defenders.
The Defenders stepped forward to 8-1 with a 28-26 win over the Arlington Renegades, retaining on in time beyond regulation to hold the North Category identify.
The Renegades shedding intended the San Antonio Brahmas stayed alive for another hour then they survived an Orlando Guardians rally for a 25-23 win.
We conserve you up to date with the fresh information, very best highlights and maximum pivotal moments from this hour within the XFL.
Each and every XFL duel will likely be streamed continue to exist ESPN+, and they’re to be had at the ESPN public of networks (ABC, ESPN and FX).
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Recaps | Best plays
Tweets | Quotes
This weekend’s video games
The Roughnecks entered Saturday’s duel having already clinched home-field merit within the South Category, however had an uncharacteristically sluggish get started. Houston grew to become the ball over on its first two possessions and trailed 12-0 halfway via the second one quarter.
Next the Roughnecks’ protection stepped up.
Deandre Johnson knocked the ball out of Vegas quarterback Jalen McClendon’s hand, and Tavante Beckett scooped up the fumble and ran 30 yards to the home, flipping into the top zone to spark the Roughnecks to victory.
0:39
Houston ratings first TD on a scoop-and-score
Deandre Johnson grabs the let go ball and takes it to the home for a Houston landing.
Houston’s D wasn’t completed then Johnson’s rating. Trailing 12-6 halfway in the course of the 3rd quarter, Houston’s Ajene Harris stripped Vegas large receiver Martavis Bryant then a cut achieve and ran 13 yards into the top zone because the Roughnecks took a 13-12 manage they wouldn’t relinquish.
0:30
Roughnecks take nearer with an Ajene Harris TD
Ajene Harris forces the fumble and flips into the top zone for a Houston landing.
On a time when Houston quarterback Brandon Silvers struggled — 16-for-27, 105 yards, two interceptions — the left-overs of the Roughnecks stepped up. Max Borghi and Brycen Alleyne mixed for 116 dashing yards and every scored a landing, past the protection scored two TDs, sacked McClendon 4 instances and banned the Vipers’ past due comeback effort, forcing two incompletions from the Houston 18-yard crease to finish the sport.
WE DONT LOSE FAITH! WE JUST PUSH FORWARD! ROUGHNECKS W pic.twitter.com/seds5ap4Lv
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) April 15, 2023
The Brahmas stored their playoff hopes alive Saturday due to a robust passing assault and well timed protection.
Wanting a win to stick alive within the South Category playoff race, quarterback Jack Coan threw for 302 yards and a landing past Drew Beasley returned an interception 20 yards for a landing as San Antonio hung on to overcome the Orlando Guardians 25-23.
The Brahmas trailed 14-3 halfway via the second one quarter, however Coan led San Antonio to a few directly scoring drives of over 70 yards.
Nick Holley had 4 catches for 105 yards, together with a 34-yard seize proper earlier than halftime to arrange Jacques Patrick’s 6-yard landing run in order San Antonio inside 14-10.
1:52
Jacques Patrick runs in 6-yard TD simply earlier than halftime for Brahmas
The San Antonio Brahmas rating their first landing of the sport simply earlier than halftime towards the Orlando Guardians.
Coan nearest orchestrated a 12-play, 75-yard pressure that ended with a 29-yard discipline purpose that snip the rarity to 14-13. Nearest the Brahmas pressured a punt at the resulting pressure, Coan threw a 28-yard landing to Travis Toivonen that made it 19-14.
1:04
Travis Toivonen makes catch and breaks separate for a 28-yard Brahmas TD
Travis Toivonen offers the Brahmas their first manage with a 28-yard landing catch.
Up 19-17 within the fourth, Drew Beesley tipped a Quinten Dormady display move to himself and ran 20 yards for a landing to increase the manage. However the Guardians, who introduced Deondre Francois again into the sport at quarterback, snip the rarity to 25-23 on a 3-yard landing to Andrew Jamiel.
San Antonio banned the two-point effort, nearest ran out the clock to stock on for the victory. It wasn’t till Sunday afternoon till the Brahmas would understand they might be alive for another hour.
The Defenders withstood a enraged Renegades rally to clinch home-field merit all the way through the XFL postseason and stock on for 28-26 time beyond regulation win on Sunday.
Jordan Ta’amu’s two-point conversion to Josh Hammond penniless a 26-26 fasten, nearest the Defenders penniless up a Luis Perez move to seal the victory.
Up 20-9 thank you to 2 Fortunate Jackson landing catches, D.C. prolonged its manage when D.J. Swearinger returned a Luis Perez interception 62 yards to assemble it a 26-9 ballgame.
0:53
Pick out-six! Defenders pluck it to the home for a TD
D.J. Swearinger alternatives off Luis Perez and takes it to the top zone for a landing.
The Defenders had been threatening to attain once more, using into the pink zone, however a Joe Powell interception began Arlington’s enraged rally. Nearest a penalty negated Powell’s pick-six, the Renegades scored at the first of De’Veon Smith’s two dashing touchdowns to get inside 11.
The Renegades nearest picked off D’Eriq King on the Arlington 25, nearest drove 67 yards downfield for every other Smith landing with 1:20 to journey.
0:22
De’Veon Smith ratings his 2nd TD of the sport
De’Veon Smith rushes into the top zone for a 1-yard landing.
At the resulting fourth-and-15, Perez threw a 25-yard of completion to Sal Cannella to increase ownership. They received a problem that differently would have ended in a yielding on downs, nearest kicked a game-tying 27-yard discipline purpose with 5 seconds to journey to arrange time beyond regulation.
With the loss, the Renegades wish to both beat the Houston Roughnecks upcoming Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+) or hope that the Brahmas lose to the Defenders on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+) to bring to clinch a playoff spot.
Highest performs
Punter displays off his arm
Orlando pulled out all of the stops for this faux punt, the place Mac Brown confirmed off he additionally has a cannon for an arm with a 69-yard of completion to … who else however KD Cannon (pun supposed)?
MAC BROWN WITH A FAKE PUNT FOR A HUGE 69-YARD GAIN 😳@XFL2023 | @XFLGuardians pic.twitter.com/BjTfsfjMT0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 16, 2023
Wind Alleyne
Alleyne leapt from the 3-yard crease over two defenders to attain this improbable Roughnecks landing. He wasn’t completed, both, celebrating with a backflip.
0:30
Brycen Alleyne’s TD extends Houston’s manage
Brycen Alleyne leaps into the top zone for a 14-yard Houston landing.
Stayin’ alive
For the fourth life this season, a crew transformed a fourth-and-15 make-it-take-it effort. This was once the primary effort for the Renegades, and it got here at an excellent life.
THE @XFLRENEGADES HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN OR TIE THE GAME AFTER CONVERTING A 4TH AND 15‼️
They had been indisposed 9-26 within the third Quarter. pic.twitter.com/ENAkH899jA
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 16, 2023
Govern tweets
Will have to we name Beelsey’s interception the tip-six? Now not most effective was once it one of the crucial pivotal performs within the XFL this hour, however it additionally captured the eye of The Rock.
One ☝🏾 for the D-line boys!! #TipPick6
Beesley 🏈
Unstable thrilling duel!!@XFLBrahmas congrats at the fat abode win and staying alive!! @XFL2023 https://t.co/Nvt2LEsCgU— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 16, 2023
Quotes
“Look at the score!” Caliph Brice desires to assemble positive everybody knew in regards to the Roughnecks win.
Barricade to mention we’ve got some glad gamers at the discipline!!
HOUSTON LETS RUN IT BACK 🏟️🔥#XFL | #roughnecknation pic.twitter.com/KqDp0sCKvu
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) April 15, 2023
The Brahmas had been quietly — possibly now not so quietly — rooting for the Defenders to overcome the Renegades to conserve their playoff hopes alive. And with the Defenders’ time beyond regulation victory, San Antonio’s playoff desires stay for another hour.
Secretly rooting for the @XFLDefenders at this time 😅
Nearest all we’re all one BIG glad #XFL public #XFL2023 | #HornsForward
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) April 16, 2023
