Saturday, February 22, 2020 5:00 pm EST @ Centurylink Field
Odds: Renegades -220 (Bovada.com)
Bob Stoops and Jim Zorn face off in Seattle
The Renegades and Dragons are both headed into week 3 at 1-1, and are eager to step up to winning records. The Renegades are technically undefeated with Landry Jones starting at QB, and though Brandon Silvers has put up somewhat inconsistent performances, the Dragons found a win last week as well.
With attendance up at Century Link Field, this is primed to be a live crowd, and while the roughly 30k fans might not qualify as the 12th man just yet, we can call them the 11 and a half man for the time being.
Key Matchups
QB Landry Jones (12) vs QB Brandon Silvers (12)
The Renegades are throwing the ball 40+ times a game, and are really camping on that Air Raid mentality. Jones really started to get in rhythm towards the end of last week, and if he gets rolling early, it’ll be a problem for Seattle.
Brandon Silvers will have to keep up with the veteran QB, but he’s had better performances than he’s given credit for. He threw 3 TD’s in week one against the high rolling Defenders, and if he can replicate a performance like that, it could quickly become a shootout.
RB Cameron Artis-Payne (34) vs LB Steven Johnson (59)
Artis-Payne burst onto the scene last week, rushing for 99 yards and 2 scores at 7.1 yards a carry. He’s in great shape, and is looking like he could be a key part in establishing this offense’s tempo.
Steven Johnson is the clear leader of the Dragons Defense, and he’s racked up 18 tackles in the past two weeks. He’s been an absolute force against the run, and it’s up to him to lead the way against the Dallas RB.
TE Donald Parham (49) vs CB Jeremy Clark (34)
Jeremy Clark is listed at starter this week, after a great performance vs the Vipers. He had a pick and two passes defensed, and could be the team’s best hope to cover the massive tight end. He’s massive for a CB at 6’3″, 220, and still possesses 4.43 speed to get downfield in a hurry. If anyone on this roster can cover Parham, he’s the guy.
Injury Report
Renegades
DAL
Winston Craig
DT
Knee
Limited participation
—
DAL
Pace Murphy
OT
Foot
Limited participation
—
DAL
Donald Parham
TE
Foot
Limited participation
—
Dragons
SEA
Isaiah Battle
TE
Ankle
Did not participate
—
SEA
Dontez Byrd
WR
Knee
Did not participate
—
SEA
Cam Clear
TE
—
Did not participate
—
SEA
Michael Dunn
OT
Calf
Did not participate
—
SEA
Kenneth Farrow
RB
Rib
Did not participate
—
SEA
Anthony Moten
DT
Ankle
Did not participate
—
SEA
Kasen Williams
WR
Quad
Did not participate
—
SEA
Kenneth Farrow
RB
Rib
Limited participation
—
Fantasy Preview
Donald Parham has been utilized heavily over the past couple weeks, so he’s a solid bet at TE, but the Renegades WR chart has fluctuated a lot. It’s hard to say wheter Flynn Nagel, Jeff Badet or Jazz Ferguson will see the lion’s share of targets, but the Renegades do throw the ball a ton.
The RB platoon of Trey Williams, Daquan Gardner and Kenneth Farrow means that fantasy owners won’t know who will break out, but they will all see the field. Austin Proehl could be due for a comeback performance here.
Game Summary
The Renegades offense could take over this game, but the Dragons have the talent on defense to neutralize them. Brandon Silvers should be looking for a comeback performance after completing just 7 passes last week. While he’s shown that he can move the ball, I’m not sure how long of a leash he’ll be given, considering the value of veteran backup BJ Daniels. Either way, this game will help decide which team moves up to join the winners.
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Matt Nagashima has been covering the XFL since before the 2019 Draft, and has witnessed history being made as a Credentialed Reporter for the Dallas Renegades. While he is engrossed with the X's and O's, the roster building and more, it has always been his goal to keep the players first in mind in coverage, showing the human aspect of this sport behind all the action on the field. With Dany Garcia and Dwayne The Rock Johnson now at the helm, he's excited to see all the opportunities that this league will create for players to showcase their talent and make their dreams come true.
3 Comments
3 Comments
Charles
February 21, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Jones & the Renegades got better as the game went on last week. They went to LA and got a win and boosted their confidence. Seattle will be playing in front of a large, loud crowd again this week. The Dragons still have issues at QB and the Renegades will continue building on last weeks success. Dallas will go to 2-1.
I’m not convinced that Landry Jones is 100 percent or a solid QB. Watching him cry to run last week was painful. He looked like Jim Plunkett’s grandfather. The Wildcats weren’t really much of a defensive test.
I’m seeing Silver’s improving. Seattle getting their run game going and Jones regressing…
Charles
February 21, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Jones & the Renegades got better as the game went on last week. They went to LA and got a win and boosted their confidence. Seattle will be playing in front of a large, loud crowd again this week. The Dragons still have issues at QB and the Renegades will continue building on last weeks success. Dallas will go to 2-1.
Steve HOPWOOD
February 21, 2020 at 6:35 pm
How does the wide receivers stack up against the Seattle DB’s?
Mac McKinley
February 22, 2020 at 1:14 pm
I’m not convinced that Landry Jones is 100 percent or a solid QB. Watching him cry to run last week was painful. He looked like Jim Plunkett’s grandfather. The Wildcats weren’t really much of a defensive test.
I’m seeing Silver’s improving. Seattle getting their run game going and Jones regressing…