In the final week of the XFL’s regular season, the Sea Dragons host the Vegas Vipers in a must-win game if Seattle is to make a playoff push. Due to potential tiebreakers with the Battlehawks, a win alone doesn’t guarantee Seattle a spot in the postseason unless St. Louis loses their game on Saturday. However, if the Sea Dragons lose to the Vipers and St. Louis wins, Seattle will be eliminated from the North Division playoff race.
Vegas Vipers (2-7) at Seattle Sea Dragons (6-3)
Kickoff: Sunday, April 23rd at 4:00 pm PT.
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
TV: ESPN2 / ESPN+ / ESPN Xtra on Sirius/XM
Broadcast: John Schriffen (Play-By-Play), Tom Luginbill (Booth Analyst), Harry Douglas (Sideline Analyst), Stormy Buonantony (Sideline Reporter)
The Seattle Sea Dragons come into Week 10 having just played one of their most well-rounded games of the season in a massive win over the Battlehawks. The playoff race is coming down to the wire, and Seattle needs one more win to punch their ticket to the postseason. However, a win alone will not lock up a playoff spot, as potential tiebreakers with the Battlehawks make things much more complicated.
In Seattle’s Week 9 win over St. Louis, the offense played one of their better games of the year. Despite an interception, quarterback Ben DiNucci looked extremely confident in June Jones’ offense and made great plays with his arm and legs. Jahcour Pearson and Seattle’s fleet of talented wideouts put on a show again, and T.J. Hammonds took over the ground attack, finding the endzone in his best rushing performance of the season.
Seattle’s defense also played one of their best games of the year, holding St. Louis to only 12 points, totaling 4 sacks, and forcing 2 turnovers. Safety Bryce Thompson was flying around like a heat-seeking missile, and defensive lineman Tariqious Tisdale helped bring the pressure to Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron, sacking him twice on the day. Additionally, Seattle significantly cleaned up the penalties in Week 9, only committing 3 all game in the Battledome.
The Sea Dragons played with a noticeable uptick in intensity last week, and with the North Division’s second seed still on the line, I’d expect that to continue. Seattle might be the hottest team in the league right now, even with their loss to the Defenders two weeks ago. The Vipers have played well with quarterback Jalen McClendon at the helm, and I think they’ll put up another good fight. However, key injuries for Vegas, including wide receiver Martavis Bryant and running back Rod Smith, will hurt them. Additionally, running back Brenden Knox has been activated from Seattle’s reserve list and has a chance to see the field this weekend. All that considered, I expect the Sea Dragons to win this game.
