Week 3 of the XFL got off to a good start, with an unexpectedly entertaining battle between the highest-scoring team in the league (Houston Roughnecks) and the lowest-scoring team (Tampa Bay Vipers). Despite Tampa Bay playing much better this time, Houston still pulled away and rose to 3-0.
Cam Phillips, Houston Roughnecks Defeat Tampa Bay Vipers
First Quarter
The Vipers were actually the team that struck first, as Taylor Cornelius led the team down the field with a couple solid throws. They had to settle for a 48-yard field goal from Andrew Franks. They also held onto the lead for a little as they stopped Houston on their first drive (despite an excellent catch from Cam Phillips on the sideline).
However, Phillip “PJ” Walker and the Roughnecks eventually struck back, with Walker successfully drawing defenders in to think he was running–and instead throwing to a wide-open Cam Phillips who then ran to the house for 84 yards. They then successfully made a three-point conversion with a throw to Sam Mobley, making the score 9-3.
Second Quarter
Before the first quarter ended, the Vipers once again made a quarterback switch–this time not due to poor performance or injury, but just because apparently that’s how they want to play things. That first drive with Quincy Flowers that extended into the second quarter ultimately led to the first Vipers touchdown on offense ever thanks to a seven-yard Flowers scamper, followed by Jalen Tolliver swinging off to the sideline for a one-point conversion, making the score 10-9.
The Roughnecks quickly struck back, thanks to a couple long runs from James Butler. The drive ended with an absurd play from Walker; a bad snap was made, but Walker managed to recover it, run around the defense and somehow make it into the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown. This time the point-after conversion failed, leaving it at 15-10. They later extended the lead by three points with a 28-yard Sergio Castillo field goal.
Taylor Cornelius came back in for the final drive of the half, which ended quite eventfully. With 11 seconds left, Cornelius tossed it to De’Veon Smith who managed to get it to the one-yard line. After stopping the clock with just a few seconds left, Cornelius simply sneaked it in for the touchdown, and then they tied up the game with a great jumping catch by Daniel Williams for a two-point conversion, leaving the score tied at 18-18 to end the half and a crazy second quarter.
Third Quarter
The Roughnecks struck first in the third quarter with another touchdown to Cam Phillips, this time for 24 yards. Phillips brought it in while being tackled by a defender, but then somehow managed to escape the tackle and run into the end zone. James Butler then ran it in for a two-point conversion, making the score 26-18. Cornelius remained the quarterback for Tampa Bay to start out, but they struggled to get anything going initially, going three and out to start the quarter.
The Roughnecks had another long drive, but it ended when Castillo missed a 49-yard field goal. Then the Vipers finally struck again, with Cornelius throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Williams. However, this time the two-point conversion failed, leaving the score at 26-24.
Fourth Quarter
After keeping the Roughnecks from scoring again, the Vipers started out the fourth quarter by re-taking the lead with a 43-yard field goal from Franks, making the score 27-26. However, then the Roughnecks struck back as Walker threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to (guess who?) Cam Phillips, giving him his second straight hat trick game. Nick Holley brought in a two-point conversion, making the score 34-27.
Cornelius and the Vipers managed to get the ball down to the two-yard line later, but they ended up turning it over on downs with four minutes left. The Vipers were able to get a stop, getting the ball back with just over two minutes remaining. However, that drive ended when Cornelius threw an interception to DeMarquis Gates, which ultimately ended the game.
Closing Notes
Walker had yet another stellar game, going 24-for-36, 305 yards, and three touchdowns. Cam Phillips by himself was also a human highlight reel, bringing in eight catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns.
The Roughnecks rose to 3-0 with the win, while the Vipers remained winless at 0-3. Still, the Vipers showed some life this time and have some good things to build off of for the next game. The Roughnecks, meanwhile, continue to remain red-hot.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
