The photo positioned above this paragraph was taken three years ago this month. It was a world in which Tom Brady was still a member of the New England Patriots and Patrick Mahomes had just won his first Super Bowl. Above all else, it was a world in which COVID-19 was something that many in the United States had only heard about through a news broadcast. Simply put, the football landscape and the world at large was much different.
On that day, February 8, 2020, Cardale Jones and Pep Hamilton led the DC Defenders to a 31-19 victory against the Seattle Sea Dragons in their XFL debut. The stands were packed and the future was bright for the DC Defenders. Three years later, the XFL is back, but the sidelines look a bit different. Instead of Cardale Jones, D’Eriq King will take snaps from shotgun at Audi Field. On the other end, the Seattle Sea Dragons pose a different threat to the home team. With June Jones calling the plays on offense and Josh Gordon catching passes, the oddsmakers believe that the Sea Dragons will score 37 points or more tonight, not a lowly 19.
A new chapter of DC Defenders football is ready to begin. Are you ready for the ride?
First Quarter | Sea Dragons Lead Defenders, 9-0
The first week of the 2023 XFL season has been characterized by tough defensive play, but the final game of the weekend could change all of that. With Jordan Ta’amu on one sideline and June Jones calling the plays on the opposite line, many expect the Dragons and Defenders to put together a high-scoring affair. Thus far, the Sea Dragons have held up their side of things. After nearly getting the stop on the first series, the Defenders gave up a deep, 31-yard pass to Jahcour Pearson that put the Sea Dragons within striking distance. Ultimately, Ben DiNucci connected with Josh Gordon for a six-yard pass that put Seattle on the board for the first time this season.
Ben DiNucci to Josh Gordon ? pic.twitter.com/p6Q279PyEN
— alex (@highIightheaven) February 20, 2023
What started out as a game of big plays has turned into an exchange of three and outs. After Josh Gordon put the Sea Dragons on the board to open the game, the DC Defenders struggled to get anything going on offense. Punting the ball away to DiNucci and company, the Seattle Sea Dragons have been hit or miss on their second possession. DiNucci put two balls in position to be potentially intercepted before finding Pears for a 10-yard gain on third down to move the sticks.
Throughout much of the first quarter, the Defenders have struggled to get to the quarterback and it has been their downfall. With nearly all day to throw the ball, DiNucci has been able to find his favorite target, Jahcour Pearson, four times for 55 yards. Not to mention, the passing game has opened up room Morgan Ellison and Jordan Knox to get seven carries on the ground. Thankfully, the DC Defenders were able to get a stop on third down after DiNucci missed T.J. Hammonds at the 18-yard line, setting up a field goal to extend the lead to nine points.
hits in this league have been no joke pic.twitter.com/Lqj9zW3wIW
— alex (@highIightheaven) February 20, 2023
Second Quarter | Sea Dragons Lead Defenders, 9-8
Things have picked up for the DC Defenders offensively in the second quarter. Beginning with a Jordan Ta’amu scramble that led to a four-yard gain. Just a few plays later, Ta’amu connected with Josh Malone for an 18-yard pass and Ryquell Armstead for a 14-yard pass. While the Defenders’ offense has been a bit lethargic through the first quarter and change, Jordan Ta’amu has been pretty effective, throwing for 72 yards while completing 75% of his passes. Not to mention, he capped off the first drive of the second half with a rushing touchdown. If there were any questions as to how he earned the starting spot, he’s answered them thus far.
2020 XFL Legend Jordan Ta'amu goes in for the TD pic.twitter.com/CifXLlbTvS
— alex (@highIightheaven) February 20, 2023
The second quarter may have gotten off to a fast start, but it surely slowed down after that. Trading three and five-play drives that ended with punts, the offensive momentum of the first quarter trailed off quickly. Even when the Sea Dragons felt they were in striking distance to close out the second quarter, a mistimed snap on third down, followed by a missed field goal resulted in an empty drive.
Sea Dragons miss a field goal attempt. Still 9-8 Seattle with less than a minute in the first half.
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) February 20, 2023
Third Quarter | Sea Dragons Lead Defenders, 18-16
The DC Defenders had all the momentum after picking up their first touchdown on an Jordan Ta’amu run. Since then, they have punted on three consecutive possessions. Meanwhile, the Seattle Sea Dragons were a missed field goal away from putting themselves up by four heading into the half. Seattle picked up on the missed opportunity early in the third quarter with an eight-play, 61-yard drive that concluded with a Brenden Knox 13-yard touchdown run. To punctuate the drive, a five-yard penalty on the Defenders turned a three-point try into a three-point attempt from two-point range.
stadium security took away the beer snake from the defenders fans so they threw lemons on the field. then DC gets a pick 6 pic.twitter.com/3VRiZfyiZa
— alex (@highIightheaven) February 20, 2023
Things have tipped in the Defenders’ favor as of later. Following a three-and-out, a miscalculated punt return pinned the Sea Dragons back at the 18-yard line. That’s when things took a weird turn. Throughout the game, the Defenders fan base has been unable to build their signature beer snake. In revolt, the fans began throwing lemons at the Seattle Sea Dragons. As a result, play was briefly suspended, but the energy from the crowd appeared to pump the Defenders’ defensive unit up. In less than three minutes of real-time, the Defenders went from being dead in the water to having all the energy in the world. The energy from the crowd seemed to be enough to get the home team going as Michael Joseph picked off Ben DiNucci and ran it in for six.
Fourth Quarter | Defenders Defeat Dragons, 22-18
The DC Defenders and their fans have picked up just where they left off. With energy at an all-time high, a D’Eriq King-led offense and an unrelenting pass rush, the Defenders got to work early in the final quarter. Michael Joseph picked off DiNucci and returned it 22 yards to the Sea Dragons’ 14-yard line. King then capitalized on the turnover with a 5-yard rushing touchdown. The added dimension of King’s running ability has really put Seattle’s defense on its heels.
Defenders take the lead pic.twitter.com/uByJez3SXp
— alex (@highIightheaven) February 20, 2023
The Seattle Dragons have had the ball for a longer period of time, run more plays, completed more passes, thrown for more yards and had more yards per rush than the DC Defenders. Still, the Dragons could not overcome their deficiency in one key area, turnovers. The pick-sick and second interception to Michael Joseph put points on the board for the Defenders. By no means did the Defenders play well on offense, but they put together big plays when they needed to.
