What better way to bridge the gap to new information on the XFL’s triumphant return under the guidance of Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and Red Bird Capital than reliving the best moments, in no particular order of the 2020 XFL season.
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Roughnecks Riding High
P.J. Walker and Cam Phillips were the definition of must-see TV during the XFL season. Through the first three weeks Walker found Phillips 20 times for 324 yards and 7 touchdowns. The quarterback, wide receiver duo lead the XFL in every stat imaginable, and were among the many reasons why the Houston Roughnecks cruised through the first half of their schedule before the XFL season was stopped.
At least for now, we’ll never have that combination on an XFL field again. Walker signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers, and is currently third on the teams depth chart behind Teddy Bridgewater and Will Grier. And while Phillips’ received NFL interest from some clubs before the season, he also signing with the Panthers, but his time with the team came to an end shortly before final rosters were announced.
XFL fans will always have those five weeks of flawless play from the duo during the highly memorable 2020 season.
A White-hot Start
It didn’t take long for the duo to introduce themselves to the rest of the league. During the Roughnecks first game of the season against the Los Angeles Wildcats the two connected for a 50-yard touchdown just 1:23 into the game. Walker dazzled in the debut throwing for 272 and 4 TDs, which helped the team to a 37-17 win.
During the Roughnecks week two 28-24 win against the was the St. Louis BattleHawks was where the legend of Phillips in the XFL was born. Phillips posted a final stat line of 8 receptions for 63 yards and 3 touchdowns. An incredibly efficient day for the Roughnecks offense.
A second look at the replay on this touchdown shows an incredible ability to slip pressure by Walker, followed up by an incredible side-arm pass to a falling Phillips right through traffic.
And the hat trick TD was due in large part from a great effort by Phillips. While the Roughnecks were inside the five yard line, Phillips bluffed a run block off the line of scrimmage and then found himself in some space in the end zone. Which, if you’re keeping up, was plenty of room for P.J. Walker to find him and complete the trifecta.
Week two wasn’t even the duos best performance of the season, that came in week three when the team rolled past the Tampa Bay Vipers in a shootout of sorts, 34-27. Walker through for 3 touchdowns, and rushed for another. And you guessed it, all three scores were to Phillips. Phillips line on that day was 8 receptions, for 194 yards and 3 scores, M-V-P.J. totaled 306 yards through the air.
None bigger than this 84-yard connection for the first Roughnecks score.
After the duos first TD-connection of week three (their 5th of the season) Walker was interviewed on ESPN by Diana Russini and perfectly encapsulated how Walker and Phillips felt while in the prime of their dominance.
