The Sea Dragons are returning to where their season began, at Audi Field in Washington D.C., taking on the Defenders. This will be the third time these teams have met this year, with the Defenders winning both previous matchups. However, Seattle’s losses came by four points or less and were determined in the game’s final seconds. The North Division Championship should be an exciting matchup between two of the XFL’s best teams.
Broadcast Team: Tom Hart (Play-By-Play), Greg McElroy (Booth Analyst), Cole Cubelic (Sideline Analyst), Katie George (Sideline Reporter)
Weather
Sunday’s forecast calls for rain throughout the day, with potential thunderstorms leading up to kickoff. Temperatures are expected to be around 67 degrees, with winds up to 10 mph.
Betting Odds Per DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread:
Seattle Sea Dragons: +3
D.C. Defenders: -3
Moneyline:
Seattle Sea Dragons: +145
D.C. Defenders: -170
Over/Under: 48.5
Depth Charts
Seattle Sea Dragons North Division Championship Depth Chart
Offense
1
2
3
4
QB
Ben DiNucci – 6 (Captian)
Stephen Montez – 12
Harrison Frost – 14
RB
Phillip Lindsay – 30
Brenden Knox – 28
WR
Josh Gordon – 0
Damion Willis – 15
WR
Jahcour Pearson – 3
T.J. Hammonds – 19
Kelvin McKnight – 86
WR
Blake Jackson – 80
McLane Mannix – 82
WR
Juwan Green – 4
Jordan Veasy – 88
TE
Charlie Tamoepeau – 89
OT
Barry Wesley – 69
OG
Mike Menet – 72
Paul Gratten – 65
OC
Jared Thomas – 73
Tejan Koroma – 56
OG
Chris Owens – 55
Josh Seltzner – 70
OT
Colin Kelly – 67
Defense
1
2
3
4
DE
Niko Lalos – 97
Daniel Joseph – 96
DN
Antwuan Jackson – 52
Sama Paama – 50
Markell Utsey – 90
DT
Austin Faoliu – 58
Tariqious Tisdale – 99
OLB
Elijah Ponder – 44
Shareef Miller – 48
ILB
Tre Walker – 8
Jordan Evans – 26
ILB
Tyrell Adams – 53
Clarence Hicks – 9
OLB
Tuzar Skipper – 51
Sharif Finch – 22
CB
Chris Payton-Jones – 5
Rojesterman Farris – 17
Mykael Wright – 16
CB
Linden Stephens – 21
Zafir Kelly – 36
Shabari Davis – 24
Olaijah Griffin – 27
S
Bryce Thompson – 1
Qwynnterrio Cole – 32
S
Antoine Brooks – 2
Alijah Holder – 33
Special Teams
1
2
3
4
K
Dominik Eberle – 11
P
Cameron Nizialek – 10
LS
Thomas Fletcher – 45
KR
Kelvin McKnight – 86
PR
Kelvin McKnight – 86
Jahcour Pearson – 3
D.C. Defenders North Division Championship Depth Chart
The Seattle Sea Dragons are headed into the playoffs after a win over the Vegas Vipers. Despite a slow first half offensively and two turnovers in the 4th quarter, an excellent 3rd quarter performance set Seattle up for the win. While they punched their ticket to the post-season with the W, the Sea Dragons must get off to a significantly better start against D.C. if they want a real shot to compete for the XFL’s Championship. Luckily, Seattle’s talent-loaded squad is well-equipped to take on their North Division rival for the 3rd time this season.
Turnover issues have been on the rise again for quarterback Ben DiNucci, but the Sea Dragons continue to win. Additionally, their 3 losses on the year came by a combined 7 points. Jahcour Pearson, Josh Gordon, and the rest of Seattle’s talented receiving core have shown time and again they’re the best unit in the league, but a rainy weekend at Audi Field may force Seattle to lean a bit more on the run game than offensive coordinator June Jones particularly enjoys.
While running the football hasn’t been a consistent strength for the Sea Dragons this season, they’ve made it work in recent weeks between Ben DiNucci’s legs, T.J. Hammonds, and the more recently signed veteran, Phillip Lindsay. Additionally, running back Brenden Knox is back in the lineup this weekend after spending most of the season on IR. Knox’s return should bring some additional stability to Seattle’s ground game, as he was starting to hit his stride before the injury.
Seattle’s defense has played better as the season’s gone on, partly because of some excellent additions to the roster and partly because the team’s built chemistry after playing together for 10 games. Linebacker Tuzar Skipper has been one of the brightest spots on Seattle’s defense throughout the year, ending the regular season tied for 2nd in the XFL in forced fumbles (3) and 4th in sacks (6). Safety Qwynterrio Cole has also been a highlight of Seattle’s defense, ending the regular season tied for 3rd in interceptions (3).
The Sea Dragons haven’t beaten the Defenders in their previous encounters this year, but they’ve only lost by a combined 5 points, and both games were decided in the final seconds. Rainy weather throughout this Sunday’s game won’t make things easy against D.C.’s dangerous rushing attack, but I still think the Sea Dragons have the talent on all three phases to pull it off.
