XFL Power Rankings, Week 3: Defenders, Roughnecks lead charge

Through two weeks of XFL action, it’s clear that the D.C. Defenders and Houston Roughnecks are the class of the league. XFL Power Rankings entering Week 3.

Whenever the XFL began, the fact that we were talking about a relatively shallow talent pool made one thing clear: If you could find a trump card, specifically at quarterback, there’s a good chance that your team was going to be near the top of the league. And through two weeks that’s played out.

The Houston Roughnecks and D.C. Defenders are the only 2-0 teams in the league after the first two weeks of the inaugural 2020 season and it stands to reason that they’re quarterbacked by Phillip Walker and Cardale Jones, arguably the two most impressive signal-callers to this point in the XFL season.

So as we prepare for Week 3, how do all eight teams in the league stack up? Let’s find out in the latest XFL power rankings.

8. Tampa Bay Vipers (0-2)

Last Week: 8 | Week 2 Result: L (at SEA, 9-17)

Tampa Bay, sans Aaron Murray, actually had a 9-0 lead against Seattle but saw it slip away as they allowed the Dragons to go on a 17-0 run to finish the game. Quinton Flowers and Taylor Cornelius filled in for the injured Murray and threw three interceptions on the day, which isn’t going to win you many games.

The Vipers defense has not performed horribly through two games but, until things get figured out on offense, this team isn’t going to be winning anytime soon.

7. Los Angeles Wildcats (0-2)

Last Week: 7 | Week 2 Result: L (vs. DAL, 18-25)

Josh Johnson and Nelson Spruce continue to look like quality XFL players stuck on a bad team as the latter hauled in two touchdown scores while amassing 89 yards. The issue, however, is that the Wildcats really lack much firepower outside of those two, barely cracking 250 yards of total offense against Dallas.

There’s hope that LA can win a few games this season on the strength of their quarterback and standout wide receiver but their overall prospects appear relatively grim.

6. New York Guardians (1-1)

Last Week: 3 | Week 2 Result: L (at DC, 0-27)

Matt McGloin got benched on Saturday afternoon because of how poorly the Guardians offense was playing but, in the end, he wasn’t the problem. Marquise Williams’ trump card was that he didn’t turn the ball over, which is the best thing you can say about New York.

After beating up on the Vipers in Week 1, it’s hard not to think that the best might be behind New York now. They looked completely outmatched against one of the league’s top teams and that’s not what you want to see.

5. Seattle Dragons (1-1)

Last Week: 5 | Week 2 Result: W (vs. TB, 17-9)

Playing Tampa Bay is the greatest gift you can get in the XFL right now and that’s what Seattle received on Saturday. Brandon Silvers and the offense were very much limited and showed some struggles against Tampa Bay’s defense.

However, the Dragons have been a balanced team on both sides of the ball to this point and created three interceptions against the Vipers. With a 5-5 touchdowns allowed-touchdowns scored ratio, they’re a solid group that can’t be overlooked.

XFL Power Rankings (Photo by Thomas Campbell/XFL via Getty Images) /

4. St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1)

Last Week: 4 | Week 2 Result: L (at HOU, 24-28)

It’s hard not to admit that Jordan Ta’amu has been miles better than I expected him to be over the first two weeks and that was on full display against Houston. The former Ole Miss quarterback was dynamite with 284 yards, three touchdowns, two picks, 32 rushing yards and another score. Matt Jones and Christine Michael need to get going more consistently and the defense needs to shore things up but St. Louis is a matchup that no team in the XFL wants at this point.

3. Dallas Renegades (1-1)

Last Week: 6 | Week 2 Result: W (at LA, 25-18)

After not having Landry Jones in Week 1, Bob Stoops’ Renegades got their quarterback in the fold and it made a world of difference. While Jones was uneven, he threw for 305 yards and opened up the rushing game as both Cameron Artis-Payne and Lance Dunbar averaged 7.0 yards per carry or better on Sunday afternoon.

I continue to be high on this team, despite the fact that they’ve looked far from perfect early on.

2. Houston Roughnecks (2-0)

Last Week: 1 | Week 2 Result: W (vs. STL, 28-24)

P.J. Walker continued his rise to stardom in the XFL ranks with another fantastic offensive performance as the Roughnecks won a shootout against St. Louis. You’d certainly like to see more from the Houston defense moving forward as they let Ta’amu throw all over them. However, if Walker is going to keep the two-week pace he’s currently set, they’ll be in every game they play.

1. D.C. Defenders (2-0)

Last Week: 2 | Week 2 Result: W (vs. NY, 27-0)

After a strong showing from Cardale Jones and the Defenders in Week 1, they were outright dominant against the Guardians in Week 2. Jones cemented himself as the league’s leading passer while Rashad Ross and the receiving corps continues to look like the best in the league.

Next. 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Redskins replace Haskins with Tua. dark

If Jameer Thurman and the defense continue to play at the level they did on Saturday, it’s hard to see anyone in the class of D.C.

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