Super Bowl LVII put an finish to the NFL season, however followers need not fear about having soccer withdrawal, not with two spring leagues taking part in video games through the NFL’s offseason. Along with the USFL’s second season, which begins in April, the rebooted XFL is again after a two-year hiatus. The XFL will kick issues off this Saturday, Feb. 18 — six days after Super Bowl LVII.
Here’s every little thing you’ll want to know in regards to the trendy model of the XFL forward of this weekend’s video games.
Backstory
Initially based in 2001, the XFL was a joint collaboration between NBC and WWF, spearheaded by Vince McMahon. After a scorching begin, poor scores in the end led to the league lasting only one season. The league returned in 2020, with McMahon main the reboot, however needed to shut its doorways once more after COVID-19 shut issues down after simply 5 weeks. The league filed for chapter and was pressured to promote.
A gaggle that features Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson then purchased the league out of chapter for $15 million, eyeing 2023 as its return season. For cost-saving measures, every XFL staff will practice in Arlington, Texas, and can solely journey for recreation days.
Teams
The league consists of eight groups which might be break up into North and South divisions. Here’s a take a look at every staff, which division they’re in, and who will likely be teaching them in 2023.
XFL North
D.C. Defenders — Reggie Barlow Seattle Sea Dragons — Jim Haslett St. Louis Battlehawks — Anthony Becht Vegas Vipers — Rod Woodson
XFL South
Arlington Renegades — Bob Stoops Houston Roughnecks — Wade Phillips Orlando Guardians — Terrell Buckley San Antonio Brahmas — Hines Ward
If you are questioning what modified between the 2020 XFL lineup and the 2023 model, there is just one staff — the San Antonio Brahmas — with each a brand new host metropolis and new staff identify. Three groups have the identical nickname however a brand new host metropolis: The Vegas (previously Tampa) Vipers; the Arlington (previously Dallas) Renegades, and the Orlando (previously New York) Guardians. The L.A. Wildcats aren’t any extra.
Notable gamers
Several former notable NFL gamers will likely be a part of the XFL in 2023. They embrace former All-Pro wideout Josh Gordon (Sea Dragons), former Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant (Vipers) and Vipers quarterback Luis Perez, a longtime NFL journeyman who began for the USFL’s New Jersey Generals final 12 months earlier than briefly spending time with the Rams.
Former NFL quarterbacks Ben DiNucci (Seattle), A.J. McCarron (St. Louis) — each of whom have began video games within the NFL — and former NFL and USFL alums Kyle Sloter (Arlington) and Jordan Ta’amu (DC) will even participate within the XFL’s upcoming season.
Three former NFL first-round picks — quarterback Paxton Lynch (Guardians), linebacker Vic Beasley (Vipers) and security Matt Elam (Guardians) — are additionally within the league. Lynch was the twenty sixth general choose within the 2016 draft by the Broncos. Beasley, the seventh general choose of the 2015 draft by the Falcons, was an All-Pro in 2015 with 15.5 sacks. Elam was the final choose of the primary spherical of the draft in 2013 by the Ravens.
Running again Matt Jones (Vipers) was a third-round NFL choose in 2015 by Washington. Two punters — Marquette King (Renegades) and Brad Wing (Brahmas) — began within the NFL.
Rule modifications
Like the USFL, the XFL has a couple of guidelines that distinguish itself from the NFL.
Teams can rating three factors after scoring a landing in the event that they elect to position the ball on the 10-yard line following a landing. Unlike the NFL, the clock will begin within the XFL following incomplete passes and out of bounds performs previous to the two-minute warning in both half. The clock will cease after first downs after the two-minute warning in both half. There will likely be 10-minute halftimes. The XFL has adopted the XFL’s onside kick various the place a staff can attempt to maintain the ball after a rating by trying to transform a fourth-and-15 from its personal 25-yard line. Teams can full a double ahead go so long as the primary completion doesn’t cross the unique line of scrimmage. Overtimes will include alternating makes an attempt from the opponent’s 5-yard- line. Each staff will get three makes an attempt or till a winner is asserted.
How to observe
All 43 XFL video games will likely be broadcast throughout ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Each recreation will even be streamed on ESPN+.
Week 1 schedule
Saturday, Feb. 18: Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (Choctaw Stadium) — 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+ Saturday, Feb. 18: Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (at TDECU Stadium) — 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/FX and ESPN+Sunday, Feb. 19: St. Louis Battlehawks at San Antonio Brahmas (at The Alamodome) — at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+Sunday, Feb. 19: Seattle Sea Dragons at D.C. Defenders (at Audi Field) — 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+
Season schedule and playoffs
The XFL will play a 10-game common season that can conclude Sunday, April 23. Four groups will then participate in two semifinal video games, with the 2 winners collaborating within the XFL Championship that will likely be performed on Saturday, May 13.
