COVID_19 got the XFL cancelled halfway through the first season. Vince McMahon will continue to the pay the players regardless, and as of this writing there are plans for an XFL season in 2021. Lets discuss the excellence of the XFL 2020.

The XFL 2020 was without a doubt higher quality football than most people expected. The talent far surpassed the original incarnation, as well as the more recent Alliance of American Football (AAF).

As of this writing I should be watching the undefeated Houston Roughnecks take on my New York Guardians. The Roughnecks led by star QB PJ Walker looked like the best team in the league through 5 weeks, while the Guardians were bouncing back after a roller coaster of a season.

The Guardians had three of the top 10 the league leaders in sacks. DT Cavon Walker, led the league with 3, Safety Wesley Sutton and DE Jarrell Owens both had 2; linebacker Ben Heeney led the team with 30 tackles and DE Bunmi Rotimi was right behind him with 26.

The New York run game had Darius Victor who was fifth in the league, with 55 attempts for 238 yards averaging 4.3 yards a carry, and Tim Cook who had 40 attempts for 157 yards, averaging 3.9 yards a carry.

Kevin Gilbride’s offense failed miserably with their “tier-1” QB selection Matt McGloin but found life behind QB Luis Perez. The Guardians traded for Perez in January. In week 4 Perez got the start, taking over the 1-2 Guardians against the team who traded him to NY, the LA Wildcats. In his first start he completed 69 percent of his passes for 150 yards and 1 TD. In week 5 Perez completed 16 of 30 passes for 229 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception in the Guardians’ 30-12 win over the Dallas Renegades, He also rushed twice for 18 yards and completed both a one- and two-point conversion pass.

Perez, Victor and Heeny were all named captains going into Week 6 against the undefeated Roughnecks. Sadly, a global pandemic got the XFL season cancelled, regardless the players will be paid for the remainder of the season.

The extra point innovation was a fan favorite, the XFL had resurrected football in St Louis, and had been gaining respect for the transparency the league had in regards to refereeing and the thought process behind the officiating.

Ratings were steadily declining but they were still higher than that of the AAF, and before Week 5 no single game had less than a million viewers. Arguably the only reason the ratings dipped below that in Week 5 was the big “Battle for LA” NBA game on ABC between the Lebron/AD Lakers and Kawhi/PG Clippers.

The eight teams, and league as a whole felt like they were finding their culture and identity by midseason. Teams that were struggling made QB changes and improved, other teams decided to go more run heavy while relying on their defenses. Despite what critics will say about the ratings, attendance remained relatively strong throughout the season, and fans remained excited about the football.

XFL 2020 MVP: PJ Walker

Cmon, this is obvious.

Walker lead the league through five weeks with 1,338 yards, and 15 touchdowns compared to 4 interceptions for a QB rating of 104.4. Walker is a pocket QB but still managed to rush for 99-yards and one touchdown, on 24 attempts (4.1 average) with a long of 28 yards.

His number one target Cam Phillips led the league with 455 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. The Houston Roughnecks went undefeated.

XFL 2020 Rookie of the Year: Jordan Ta’amu

Jordan Ta’amu led his St Louis Battlehawks with his 72% completion percentage (97/134) throwing 1050 yards with 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions for a QB rating of 101.3. He was also the league’s 7th leading rusher with 217 rushing yards (5.3 yard average) and 1 rushing TD.

Hopefully this Battlehawks core can stay together, and keep the rushing attack in 2021. St Louis loved this team and was helping the league with GREAT attendance at the Dome.

Honorable mention for ROY: Kenny Robinson

The only college eligible XFL player in 2020. The safety certainly added to his draft stock as he stood out on the St Louis Battlehawks defense with his two interceptions.

As of this writing, one player on the Seattle Dragons has tested positive for COVID_19 and the XFL remains committed on playing game in 2021. More than likely, there will be a handful of XFL players in the NFL in 2020-2021.

The XFL is not playing the remainder of the season not because of their own failures or shortcomings, but because of a global pandemic.

People enjoyed the mic’d up refs, coaches and players, the unfiltered on-field interviews, the extra point system and the new kickoffs. Most of the criticism of the league came from people who were admittedly not even watching the games.

This is unprecedented and it will suck if the XFL does not continue in 2021. Hopefully the league can continue, retain PJ Walker and Jordan Ta’amu, as well as most of the talent that has helped create an identity for the spring league.

One thing has been proven in five weeks, the XFL is higher quality than the AAF could have dreamed of becoming.

ICYMI:

XFL Week 4: Houston remains undefeated as the league makes adjustments

XFL Week 3: Football returns to St Louis

The Spring League’s practice squad. Discussing “Team 9” of the XFL

BS @ Work- XFL impressions through 2 weeks, NFL QB frenzy, possible draft selections & the cheatin ass Astros

XFL Week 2: A Second look as Jones and Walker continue shine, the Guardians lay an egg.

XFL Week 1: First impressions….. that was kinda dope