The Houston Roughnecks become the first team to clinch a playoff berth in XFL 3.0. After seven weeks of games ending in regulation, the XFL finally has its first two overtime games. And the DC Defenders rebound from their first loss of the season to cool off the Seattle Sea Dragons in the hotly contested XFL North.

ROUGHNECKS 17, BRAHMAS 15 (OT)

Houston rebounded after three straight losses to clinch a playoff spot, but it didn’t come easily. The Roughnecks led San Antonio 15-6 with three minutes left in the game Sunday when the Brahmas started mounting a comeback. Brandon Silvers threw a big interception for Houston, and John Parker Romo hit a 49-yard field goal with one second left on the clock to tie the game and force overtime. The XFL rules give each team three alternating attempts to convert a two point conversion from the opponent’s five yard line. After both teams failed on the first attempt, Deontay Burnett found the end zone on the third try. Then, Houston came up with a big defensive stop to win the game and clinch one of the South’s two playoff spots.

DEFENDERS 34, SEA DRAGONS 33

The Defenders entered Sunday trying to recover from their first loss while Seattle was riding a five game win streak in one of the most important games in the XFL North. Both teams’ quarterbacks were slinging it all over the field as they combined for 548 yards and seven touchdowns. In the final seconds, Seattle scored setting up what could’ve been the third overtime game of the weekend, but the Sea Dragons decided to go for two and the win. DC sacked Ben DiNucci on the conversion sending the Defenders to a 7-1 record and holding on to first place in the division.

BATTLEHAWKS 21, VIPERS 17 (OT)

On Saturday, St. Louis and Vegas introduced XFL fans to the very first overtime game of the season and this brand of the XFL. St. Louis was on a roll heading into the game, but quarterback A.J. McCarron was forced to sit out due to a shoulder injury. The Battlehawks trailed 17-8 late in the fourth quarter, but a touchdown made the game close, then a field goal with 15 seconds left sent the game in overtime. In the alternating two-point conversions, St. Louis converted two of the three while keeping Vegas out of the end zone to clinch the 21-17 win. The victory also gave St. Louis some breathing room as they anxiously awaited Sunday’s game between DC and Seattle, the two teams that surround them in the XFL North standings.

RENEGADES 18, GUARDIANS 16

One week after recording their first win of the season and handing DC its first loss of the season, the Orlando Guardians found themselves back in the loss column. The Arlington Renegades forced five turnovers to ensure the 18-16 win. It was the first start for Luis Perez since being traded from Vegas to Arlington. The quarterback is a veteran of spring football having played in the AAF, TSL, XFL 2.0, USFL and XFL 3.0, but Arlington’s offense remained anemic as De’Veon Smith rushed for the Renegades’ only offensive touchdown. Still, Arlington has won half of its games and is potentially sitting in a playoff spot with two weeks left in the regular season.

XFL NORTH STANDINGS

1. DC Defenders 7-1
2. St. Louis Battlehawks 6-2
3. Seattle Sea Dragons 5-3
4. Vegas Vipers 2-6

XFL SOUTH STANDINGS

1. Houston Roughnecks 5-3
2. Arlington Renegades 4-4
3. San Antonio Brahmas 2-6
4. Orlando Guardians 1-7

WEEK 9 PREVIEW

Next weekend, the other three spots in the XFL playoffs could be filled. St. Louis and Seattle square off in an XFL North battle. A Battlehawks’ win would clinch playoff berths for both St. Louis and DC. The Defenders and Renegades square off in an interdivisional matchup with the winner guaranteed a playoff spot. Houston will also host Vegas while Orlando and San Antonio will play in what is essentially the futility bowl. The XFL also has some competition on the television as the USFL kicks off its second season. Either way, it’s a fun time for fans of spring football.

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