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Sunday’s second XFL game will be between the DC Defenders and Tampa Bay Vipers. The Defenders 2-1 but got embarrassed by the Los Angeles Wildcats in Week 3. The Vipers are winless this season but made tremendous progress last week in a loss to the Houston Roughnecks.
Tampa Bay will be the home team in this one, as the game will take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Florida. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET can be watched on ESPN2. It will also be streamed on the ESPN Sports App.
Cardale Jones was considered one of the XFL’s best entering Week 3 but was a complete dud against Los Angeles. He was picked off four times and went 13-of-26 for 1-3 yards and no scores. He was eventually benched and replaced by Tyree Jackson, who was 1-of-2 for four yards in DC’s 39-9 loss. Jones might not be nearly as bad on Sunday, but the Defenders have been rattled. Getting Eli Rogers, Rashad Ross involved will be important in Week 4 — especially after the two combined for 32 receiving yards in Week 3.
Tampa Bay’s Week 1 starter Aaron Murray hasn’t played since the season opener, but backups Taylor Cornelius and Quinton Flowers collaborated well in Week 3 to make things competitive against the Houston Roughnecks. Both signal callers rushed for scores and combined for 244 passing yards in a 34-27 loss. However, Flowers has reportedly asked for his release due to frustration with his playing time.
Cornelius played well enough to start over Murray — who has fully recovered from a foot injury — in Week 4. Regardless of who’s under center, wideout Dan Williams should be a big part of the Vipers’ offensive game plan. Whether tight end Nick Truesdell (knee) plays will also be a major factor in the outcome of this game.
Despite last week’s performance, DC is favored by 2.5 points at DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under for total points is 44.5. If you think the Defenders’ defense can play like it did for the first three weeks of the season, the under is a good bet to make.
DC Defenders at Tampa Bay Vipers
Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN2
Live Stream: (ESPN Sports App)
Date: Sunday, March 1st
Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Odds: Defenders -2.5
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