XFL: Arlington Renegades lose 23-14 to Houston Roughnecks
The 2023 XFL season got off to a good start for the Arlington Renegades with a season-opening victory against the Vegas Vipers.
The Renegades couldn’t continue their momentum falling 23-14 to the Houston Roughnecks in week 2.
What led to the Renegades defeat?
Middling offense
In their first game of the season, the Renegades were forced to rely on multiple touchdowns from their defense to secure the win after their offense failed to find a consistent rhythm.
Against the Roughnecks the Renegades offense did find the endzone twice, but still struggled mightily.
Both of the Renegades scoring drives totaled only 64 yards due to great field position set up by repeated Roughnecks turnovers.
Without that advantageous field position, the Renegades couldn’t sustain drives.
In their 13 possessions over the course of the game, the Renegades punted on seven of them, turned the ball over on three of them and scored twice.
Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers
The Renegades other problem was their three turnovers.
Quarterback Drew Plitt threw two touchdowns and two interceptions including a crucial fourth-quarter pick that immediately led to a Roughnecks touchdown.
Plitt’s second interception was more on wide receiver Brandon Arconado who let the pass slip between his hands.
However, Plitt also fumbled from the pocket making him responsible for two of the Renegades turnovers.
The Renegades offense is in disarray to this point in the season and they’ll need better quarterback play if they want to turn their offense around.
The first two games of the Renegades season have been defined by their lack of offensive firepower and this time it cost the Renegades a victory.
The Renegades play the winless Orlando Guardians at 3 p.m. CT on Sunday at Choctaw Stadium.
This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 10:08 AM.
