'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABkAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgcQAAIBAwQDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBQYREiEHExVxAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAxEAAQMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACEQMhIjFBgcH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AMS+H40xDwplcTe3Ejyv7EjkBRt2XjsXI478u+qhJbnRSyOqaViVAxCg3LMQP0julKuymyTiNHd+SguMd+Bf/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The XFL Championship happened today, and in a major upset, the Arlington Renegades defeated the DC Defenders 35-26.
The Defenders had looked like world-beaters during the regular season, going 9-1. Then in the playoffs, they had an easy time against the Seattle Sea Dragons, winning 37-21.
Meanwhile, the Renegades limped into the playoffs at 4-6. There, they upset the Houston Roughnecks 26-11. But heading into the championship game, they were 7.5 -point underdogs, with many expecting an easy DC victory.
But, the opposite happened. And Twitter burst into derisive laughter over the Defenders' performance:
There were also digs at the Dallas Cowboys, who play in the same city as the Renegades:
Arlington Renegades vs DC Defenders 2023 XFL Championship Game First Half Summary
The Renegades began the title game with two first downs in three passes from Luis Perez. Then, on third and 12, Perez found tight Sal Cannella for a 41-yard touchdown, but the two-point attempt was unsuccessful.
The DC Defenders, meanwhile, were forced to punt on their first possession after Jordan Ta’amu failed to get the ball past ten yards. Perez responded with another touchdown pass, this time to Tyler Vaughns on third and goal, with the two-point attempt good this time.
The second quarter brought the first major defensive play of the game, as Will Hill tipped a Ta’amu pass into Joe Powell’s hands. However, the ensuing drive netted only a 29-yard field goal from Taylor Russolino.
Play was briefly suspended after DC wideout Josh Hammond hit a cameraman after a catch. After play resumed, Abram Smith, the league’s leading rusher, put the Defenders on the board by rushing two yards down the middle into the endzone, but Pooka Williams Jr. failed to catch the two-pointer.
The first half ended with Russolino kicking in another field goal for the Renegades, this time from 51 yards.
Arlington Renegades vs DC Defenders 2023 XFL Championship Game Second Half Summary
To begin the second half, the Defenders hit a major snag when Ta’amu was sacked on the second down of their opening drive. They failed to convert on third down, but on fourth and inches, Abram Smith blew past the Arlington defense for a 52-yard touchdown rush.
After the two-pointer fell short, the Renegades responded with a seven-yard touchdown rush from Leddie Brown, but the one-pointer failed.
The two teams then exchanged punts, before DC got back on board via a 72-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Ta’amu to Hammond on third and two-pointer from Smith after pass interference against Powell was found on the first attempt.
Brown concluded the third quarter with a touchdown pass, but De’Veon Smith fell short on the one-pointer.
In the fourth quarter, Brandon Rusnak picked off Ta’amu on the opening drive, leading to a 33-yard field goal from Russolino. With just over two minutes remaining, Perez lost a fumble to Reggie Northrup, and Hammond converted it into a touchdown.
The Defenders had one last chance to tie the game via another touchdown and three-point conversion, but on their crucial fourth and 15, Ta’amu sealed the game with his third interception of the night, this time to Cre’Von LeBlanc.
