Tonight, the DC Defenders will attempt to open the 2023 XFL season with four consecutive wins. In order to maintain their unblemished record, Reggie Barlow’s squad must overcome the tough defense of the Las Vegas Vipers. Two weeks ago, the Defenders needed an outstanding rushing performance from D’Eriq King in the second half to earn a 12-point victory against Rod Woodson’s squad. This time around, the Vipers will look to finish the job they began in the first half of their first meeting. Meanwhile, the Defenders aim to put together a more complete, four-quarter performance.
The excitement will be inescapable at Audi Field for this week’s matchup. The beer snake will be slithering through the stands and the energy emanating throughout section 117 will be infectious. Not to mention,
An important aspect of setting the tone for tonight’s game will be the playlist. Each week, the Defenders ask fans to put together their song requests for the game. This Sunday, Def Pen has taken on the challenge of crafting a playlist exclusively made up of artists from the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area. After taking some time to think about it, here’s what we came up with.
Coming Out Of The Tunnel
“Finna Get Loose” by Puff Daddy & The Family Featuring Pharrell
Sean “Diddy” Combs will represent Harlem to the fullest everywhere he goes, but he doesn’t shy away from showing love to the university he once attended, Howard. In fact, he donated $1 million to the school last July and earned an honorary degree from the university as well.
Nearly a decade ago, he tapped in with Virginia’s own Pharrell, who recently brought his Something In The Water Festival to Washington, D.C. Together, they created a track that flew under the radar a bit called “Finna Get Loose.” The uptempo nature of the track coupled with the infectious feeling it creates makes it the perfect song for the Defenders to run out of the tunnel to and get everyone going.
And The Defenders Come Up With A Sack
“What Happened To That Boy” by Birdman featuring Clipse
More than 20 years ago, Bryan “Birdman” Williams caught up with Gene “No Malice” and Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton of the Clipse. While things have soured between the two parties since their first meeting, they did create a classic record that will live on forever, “What Happened To That Boy.”
The Defenders have made it a habit to get after the quarterback. Through three games, the Defenders have sacked the quarterback 10 times. In order to stop the Vipers on Sunday, they’ll have to continue this trend. What better song to play when the defensive line stops Brett Hundley in the backfield than “What Happened To That Boy?” by Birdman and the Clipse.
He Threw A Dime…To The Defense
“F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit” by Jay-Z featuring Rick Ross (Produced by Timbaland)
A defensive player probably won’t win MVP in the first year of Dany Garcia and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s XFL, but a defensive player may be in consideration for the award. No defensive back has had an impact on the defensive side of the ball quite like Michael Joseph. He’s a terror in pass coverage and he’s accounted for three interceptions and two touchdowns through three games. Not to mention, Kentrell Price also has an interception this year. With that being said, it’s out of the realm of possibility that former UCLA standout Brett Hundley will through a dime…..to the defense at some point this evening. When that happens, there’s nothing that will set the tone quite like the opening seconds of Virginia native Timbaland and Boi-1da’s production on “F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit” by Jay-Z and Rick Ross.
