Game 2 of Week 3 in the XFL season saw a battle of the unbeaten between the St Louis Battlehawks and DC Defenders. This game was the highest-scoring game of the 2023 XFL season, with 62 total points. Once again, the Battlehawks were in it at the end, but the Defenders held and won 28 – 34.
A. J. McCarron threw for 262 yards on 42 attempts and finished with four touchdowns with two interceptions. The Battlehawks only rushed for 56 yards, with Brian Hill leading the team with 12 carries for 32 yards. Hakeem Butler had a huge game leading the team in catches with 9 for 105 yards with 13 targets and 1 touchdown. He is officially McCarron’s favorite target. Darrius Shepherd was second on the team with 8 targets for 51 yards on 5 catches.
For the Defenders, Jordan Ta’amu finally showed why he was a highly sought-after QB in the XFL. He threw for 196 yards on 20 attempts with 1 touchdown. He also rushed for another. Abram Smith rushed for 54 yards on 16 carries, and Ryquell Armstead rushed for 51 yards but had 2 fumbles. As a team, the Defenders rushed for 136 yards.
Lucky Jackson was his favorite, with 4 catches for 89 yards on 78 targets. Chris Blair and Ethan Wolf both caught touchdown passes.
