{"id":81148,"date":"2020-02-22T17:14:38","date_gmt":"2020-02-22T22:14:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=81148"},"modified":"2020-02-22T17:14:38","modified_gmt":"2020-02-22T22:14:38","slug":"cam-phillips-soars-roughnecks-defeat-vipers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/02\/22\/cam-phillips-soars-roughnecks-defeat-vipers\/","title":{"rendered":"Cam Phillips Soars Again as Houston Roughnecks Defeat Tampa Bay Vipers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Week 3 of the XFL<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Cam Phillips<\/a>, Houston Roughnecks Defeat Tampa Bay Vipers<\/h2>\n

First Quarter<\/h3>\n

The Vipers were actually the team that struck first, as Taylor Cornelius<\/strong> led the team down the field with a couple solid throws. They had to settle for a 48-yard field goal from Andrew Franks<\/strong><\/a>. 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).<\/p>\n

However, Phillip “PJ” Walker<\/strong> 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<\/strong> who then ran to the house for 84 yards. They then successfully made a three-point conversion with a throw to Sam Mobley<\/strong>, making the score 9-3.<\/p>\n

Second Quarter<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong> 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<\/a> <\/strong>swinging off to the sideline for a one-point conversion, making the score 10-9.<\/p>\n

The Roughnecks quickly struck back, thanks to a couple long runs from James Butler<\/a><\/strong>. 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<\/strong> field goal.<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/strong> 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<\/strong> for a two-point conversion, leaving the score tied at 18-18 to end the half and a crazy second quarter.<\/p>\n

Third Quarter<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Fourth Quarter<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong> brought in a two-point conversion, making the score 34-27.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>, which ultimately ended the game.<\/p>\n

Closing Notes<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>