Through two XFL restarts — first in 2020 and again in 2023 — the Houston Roughnecks hadn’t lost a single game no matter who was wearing their uniform. That streak finally ended Thursday night at the hands of the Seattle Sea Dragons, but not before a wild ending.
The Roughnecks had scored the most points in the XFL heading into the Week 5 game, but the Sea Dragons held them scoreless for three quarters in Seattle, thanks in part to two blocked punts, the first leading to the first touchdown. Match.
In fact, the Sea Dragons were leading 21-6 with just under two minutes left – it could have been worse if Seattle quarterback Ben DiNucci hadn’t been picked twice in the end zone – but that’s when things happened. rails.
Roughnecks quarterback Brandon Silvers hit Justin Smith for a 47-yard touchdown with 24 seconds left, and a two-point conversion made it 21-14. In the XFL, rules allow teams to try to convert a 4th and 15 to retain possession, rather than attempt an onside kick, and Houston did just that, as Deontay Burnett caught a pass from 17 yards to keep the Roughnecks’ hopes alive. .
And they had a chance. A pass interference penalty put the ball on the Sea Dragons 27-yard line for one last play. But a Seattle hit on Silvers floated the ball and was recovered by Sea Dragons Niko Lalos:
The Roughnecks started 5-0 in the 2020 version of the XFL before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and started 4-0 this season. The Sea Dragons improved to 3-2 on the season (you can consult the classification here with all 2023 season scores and schedule).
Here’s a look at what’s in store for the rest of Week 5 in the XFL:
THURSDAY
Seattle Sea Dragons 21, Houston Roughnecks 14
SATURDAY
DC Defenders at St. Louis BattleHawks, 7 p.m. ET | TV: FX
Orlando Guardians at Vegas Vipers, 10 p.m. ET | TV: FX
Sunday
Orlando Renegades at San Antonio Brahmas, 10 p.m. ET | Television: ESPN2
