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From The Press Box: DC Defenders Look To Earn Home Field Advantage Against The Arlington Renegades

DC Defenders takes the field before the XFL game against the St Louis Battlehawks at Audi Field on March 5, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

No game in Week 9 of the 2023 XFL season is as important as this! Coming into Audi Field, the Arlington Renegades need to pick up a win in order to clinch a spot in the South Division Championship on April 29, 2023 in Houston, Texas. Playing in front of a sold-out crowd, the DC Defenders are in need of a win in order to claim home-field advantage in the North Division Championship. Making things even more interesting, the Renegades and Defenders have not played each other this season. With everything on the line, both teams will have to execute against their previously unseen foes on Sunday afternoon. From start to finish, Def Pen has you covered with our live blog.

First Quarter: DC Defenders – 6 | Arlington Renegades – 3

The Defenders and Renegades have wasted no time putting points up on the board in this Week 9 matchup. First, the Renegades marched down the field behind the arm of Luis Perez. Completing more than 70% of his passes, Perez was able to get the Renegades within striking distance, but settled for a field goal after being stopped at the goal line twice. In response, the Defenders came up big time with three passes of more than 15 yards, including a nine-yard pass to Josh Hammond for six. DC did come up short in the end and failed to convert for two.

Second Quarter: DC Defenders – 20 | Arlington Renegades – 9

After combining for three trips into the red zone during the first quarter, the DC Defenders and Arlington Renegades find themselves locked into a battle of three-and-outs. The Defenders started the second quarter with a punt and then turned around to stuff Leddie Brown behind the line of scrimmage in order to force a Renegades’ punt.

Nearing halftime, the Defenders are beginning to create a bit of separation between themselves and the Renegades. First, Ryquell Armstead came up big with an over-the-shoulder catch for 37 yards. Two plays later, Jordan Ta’amu hit Lucky Jackson for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Without a successful conversion attempt, the Renegades are still within striking distance, but the Defenders’ offense is opening things up.

It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done. Through a quarter and change, the Renegades have possessed the ball ten minutes longer than the Defenders, but they haven’t had much to show for it after being stopped at the goal line and missing a field goal. Late in the second quarter, they increased their tempo, capitalized on DC’s mistakes and continued to attack the middle of the field through the air. A 25-yard pass and a nine-yard rush from Caleb Vander Esch as enough to punch the ball in for Arlington’s first touchdown of the game. However, Arlington was unable to pull through on the conversion attempt and they are still down by three.

D’Eriq King has provided a jolt of energy every time he has stepped onto the field this season. Following Arlington’s first touchdown drive of the game, King stepped on to the field and completed four of six passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. To top it all off, he helped DC get its first successful two-point conversion of today’s contest. Heading into halftime, DC has extended its led to 11.

Third Quarter: DC Defenders – 26 | Arlington Renegades – 9

No one enjoys playing at home quite like the DC Defenders. As the Renegades were seemingly driving down the field and entering the red zone, Luis Perez found himself under duress and threw a ball up for grabs. Looking to make name for himself in the nation’s capital, D.J. Swearinger threw himself a pick party and ran it back 62 yards for a touchdown. There’s still a lot of football left to be played, but Arlington has found itself in deep trouble early in the second half.

Frustration is starting to set in for Arlington. Right after throwing an interception, Luis Perez bounced back with a 20-yard completion. Moments later, the play was called back due to a holding penalty. From there, the Defenders proceeded to shut down Arlington’s offense and forced a punt. Time is ticking and Arlington is running out of time to secure a playoff berth in Week 9.

Fourth Quarter: DC Defenders – 26 | Arlington Renegades – 26

Just when the Renegades looked to be falling out of striking distance, Arlington’s defense has put them back in this game. As Jordan Ta’amu and company inched closer to the endzone, Joe Powell picked off Ta’amu and ran it back to 90 yards. From there, De’Veon Smith punched it in for six. Arlington is still down by two possessions, but they are slowly picking up steam late in the fourth quarter.

Things are starting to get interesting late in the fourth quarter. At the start of the final quarter, DC held a 17-point lead and was firing on all cylinders. However, two interceptions in the final quarter and change set Arlington up with multiple opportunities to cut the lead down to just three points with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter. Luis Perez may be new to Arlington, but he’s leaving it all out on the field as the Renegades attempt to claim the last playoff spot in the South Division.

On the final possession of regulation, Luis Perez went 3-5 alongside a 13-yard run from Leddie Brown to put Arlington in position for a field goal to tie things up. For the first time this season, the Defenders will head into overtime at Audi Field.

Overtime: DC Defenders – 28 | Arlington Renegades – 26

 

 

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