This one was over before it even got started. The DC Defenders built on their strong Week 1 performance by dominating the New York Guardians on both sides of the ball. Cardale Jones and company got out to an early lead while the defense completely took the air out of Matt McGloin and the New York passing attack.
First Half
The New York Guardians started with the ball but had to punt after just three plays. Jones and company took over from there and immediately got on the board. Starting at their own 20, Cardale Jones led a 13-play scoring drive culminating in a DeAndre Thompkins touchdown. Jones connected with Eli Rogers for two big gains and even converted a 4th and 2.
.@CJ1two storms down the field then drops an absolute DIME to @Everydaydre_ for the TD
📺 @ABCNetwork
🖥 https://t.co/P39leRxPZY pic.twitter.com/wQFFRSCjWv— XFL (@XFL2023) February 15, 2020
The Guardians actually got something going on their ensuing drive before a Darius Victor fumble brought the drive to a screeching halt. DC turned this opportunity into three points to take a 9-0 lead. Matt McGloin threw an interception on the ensuing possession and neither side managed to get anything going for the remainder of the half. After adding another field goal, the Defenders entered halftime with a 12-0 lead.
We've said it once and we'll say it again (probably many times).
They call them the Defenders for a reason.
📺 @ABCNetwork
🖥 https://t.co/P39leRxPZY pic.twitter.com/sUCcMahQHs— XFL (@XFL2023) February 15, 2020
Second Half
Matt McGloin went into halftime saying that New York needed to change “the entire gameplan”. It didn’t work. On their first drive of the second half, McGloin threw one of the worst passes you’ll ever see. Trying to avoid pressure, the former Oakland Raider threw a duck directly into double coverage. Linebacker Jameer Thurman came away with the interception and took it to the house to make it an 18-0 game.
Matt McGloin is…not happy
📺 @ABCNetwork
🖥 https://t.co/P39leRxPZY pic.twitter.com/nsON8nPoJK— XFL (@XFL2023) February 15, 2020
The @XFLDefenders' defense is something special
📺 @ABCNetwork
🖥 https://t.co/P39leRxPZY pic.twitter.com/12g1DNVLES— XFL (@XFL2023) February 15, 2020
Despite a Cardale Jones third-quarter interception, the Guardians just couldn’t get anything going on the offensive side of the ball. However, thanks to XFL scoring rules, an 18-point lead is technically a two-score game. The Defenders got the ball at the start of the fourth quarter, knowing they needed another score to truly take this game out of reach. Jones answered the call, orchestrating a long, clock-killing scoring drive.
The Defenders made it all the way down to New York’s 1-yard line before a series of penalties pushed them back to the 11. In the end, DC had to settle for a field goal to make it a 21-0 game. The highlight of the drive came when Jones seemingly fumbled the ball, but recovered his own fumble and connected with Thompkins for a new set of downs.
https://twitter.com/FTBeard1/status/1228789930265939968?s=20
The field goal essentially iced the game for the Defenders. With the game unofficially over, McGloin went to the bench and Marquise Williams took over. Williams wasn’t the fix New York needed, as the Guardians still couldn’t get on the board. As the final nail in the coffin, the Defenders drove down for one last touchdown drive to close out the game and earn a 27-0 victory.
With the win, DC advances to 2-0 on the season and looks like one of the best teams in the league. New York, meanwhile, has to do some soul-searching and see if Matt McGloin, Marquise Williams, or even Luis Perez should finish the year under center.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
