Source: Los Angeles Wildcats twitter (@XFLwildcats)

Positives and Negatives From the LA Wildcats First Win

Wow, what a game! While the rest of the league and media have been overlooking the Wildcats, they’ve been putting in the work to improve.The Wildcats going from inept in Week 1 to looking dominant in week 3 was something to behold.

Here are the positives and takeaways from the first win of this young franchise:

Positive: Josh Johnson Enters MVP Conversation

Josh Johnson is a player I’ve followed for the past few years. Being a San Francisco 49ers fan, I remember him stepping in during some dark times during the Harbaugh era. While he couldn’t lead the team to victory then, he looked like he had promise as a mobile quarterback that could do more than just run.

Johnson has played for 15 different teams (!!!) since being let go by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who drafted him in the 5th round in 2008. After his release in 2011, ( Johnson even had a stop in the United Football League, playing for the Sacramento Mountain Lions in 2012. Despite this, he didn’t get his first win as a professional athlete until 2018 with the Washington Redskins, as part of a platoon approach to the QB position, following Alex Smith’s gruesome injury.

Johnson seems to have found a team that values him, and has also found a scheme that is built to his strengths. On Sunday, he looked like Russell Wilson or Dak Prescott, running from the pocket to avoid defenders while still keeping his eyes downfield. The results were impressive!

In his two games played, Johnson has completed 61% of his passes for 474 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs, and a QB rating of 114.7. The Wildcats are clicking, and he’s a major reason why.

Good players can elevate their teams, and Johnson is doing just that. If that doesn’t scream league MVP candidate, I don’t know what does.

Negative: Pass Protection

Having a player like Johnson can erase a lot of mistakes that other players are making. On Sunday, a lot of red hats were getting into the backfield and harassing Johnson, forcing him to roll out to improvise with his receivers. They deserve a lot of credit for not giving up on a play, and moving to block for him when he gets outside of the box. However, being able to stop the rush upfront will go far in allowing him to set up and deliver the ball to LA’s playmakers.

Positive: Running Game

As good as Johnson was through the air, it was a balanced offensive attack that was able to stun the Defenders, putting up 27 points before halftime. Although the running game only consisted of 51 yards, the Wildcats were also able to add 18 points off 2 TD runs from Martez Carter and 1 TD from Larry Rose. Not only that, but the Wildcats’ two-headed monster was the only thing to score on PAT attempts (2pt reception from Carter; 1pt run from Rose).

Running the ball also kept the defense honest, allowing Josh Johnson and the LA pass catchers more room to work off play-action passes. The production was inconsistent, but a solid team effort featuring some incredible blocks from the offensive line kept the offense balanced and the Defenders on their heels, putting the game out of reach with 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

Negative: PAT Woes Continue

The Wildcats offense was able to score 6 TDs, or 36 points, during Sunday’s game. However, they were only able to add three points off of PATs (thanks to Carter and Rose). In all, the ‘Cats attempted four 1pt conversions (succeeded on 1), two 2pt conversions (succeeded on 1), and only one 3pt conversion (unsuccessful) after the game was already out of reach in the 4th quarter.

This is a surprising fact, given that the LA Wildcats were the first team in the league to convert a 3pt attempt. One would think that Winston Moss would go for it, especially given how tough the Defenders were coming into the game.

Not that this guy cares about what anyone thinks.

The Wildcats currently have a 40% success rate on PATs this season, converting 1/5 1pt attempts, 2/14 2pt attempts, and 1/1 3pt attempts.

Positive: Secondary Balls Out

Cardale Jones did not look much like an MVP candidate on Sunday. The defense was able to rush four and maximize coverage using linebackers, and as a result the secondary had themselves a day. CB Mike Stevens led the way with two interceptions and two passes defensed. Not only that, but he also managed to get a sack and add four solo tackles. CB Jack Tocho had an interception, a defended pass and forced a fumble, which he then recovered. CB Arrion Springs added an interception and two passes defensed as well.

LA may still be allowing the 2nd most big plays in the league, but with this young secondary taking chances and making plays, I’m willing to bet that this defense will continue to take steps forward and capitalize off of the opportunities they receive.

Negative: The Doubts Will Continue

By all accounts, the LA Wildcats had an incredible game, but as the old adage goes, “you’re only as good as your record.” One incredible game with all the parts clicking will get you noticed, but not taken seriously. The Wildcats have put up 75 points and allowed 71, with Game 1 being a blowout loss and Game 3 being a blowout win.

Who are the Los Angeles Wildcats? Are they for real, or was this just a one-game phenomenon? Only time will tell, as the Wildcats get ready to head to the East Coast for a showdown with the New York Guardians. Good teams beat bad teams, and to continue the narrative that Wildcats are for real, they’re going to have to take down a team that many consider the worst in the league.