Who has the edge between the Arlington Renegades and the D.C. Defenders?
The Arlington Renegades snapped their two-game losing streak with an 18-16 victory over the Orlando Guardians in week eight of the XFL.
The Renegades’ next game will be their toughest of the season when they travel to play the D.C. Defenders (7-1) who have the best record in the XFl and have yet to lose a home game this season.
What do the Renegades (4-4) have to do to pull off the upset?
Force turnovers
The Renegades’ defense ranks No. 1 in forced fumbles and No. 2 in passes intercepted this season and few units in the XFL have been better at forcing opponent turnovers.
While the Defenders quarterbacks have thrown only one interception this season their running backs have fumbled the ball 12 times this season and will have to take care of the ball or the Renegades could force several turnovers.
Slow down the Defenders rushing game
The Renegades’ defense will have their hands full trying to stop the best rushing team in the XFL. The Defenders have rushed for 1,268 yards on a 4.5 yards per carry with 14 touchdowns on the ground this season. The Defenders rank first in all of those categories in the XFL.
The Defenders are the only team with more than 800 rushing yards in the XFL and if the Renegades’ defense can’t slow down the rush it could be a long day for the visitors.
Improved quarterback play
The QB position has been a disaster for the Renegades this season with the team having one of the least potent passing attacks this season.
Last week the Renegades trotted out Luis Perez for the first time since the team traded for him. Perez is by far the best QB that has played for the Renegades this season and he’ll need a huge game to help the Renegades pull off the upset.
The Renegades play the Defenders at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Audi Field (ESPN, ESPN+).
