Today’s XFL schedule: Houston Roughnecks, DC Defenders face off in the league’s first Monday Night Football game on ESPN2

Houston, Texas (KTRK) – Monday night football in March? Only the Houston Roughnecks serve that to the XFL’s first MNF contest in its history.

ABC13 sister network ESPN2 The Roughnecks’ showdown with the DC Defenders is hosted in the nation’s capital at 6 mAnd while sports fans have generally been slow to gravitate toward the league’s second resurrection, the game is a heavyweight bout between the two record-breaking teams.

Here are the reasons you should tune in to Network Battle.

The video above is from a previous story.

The first match

before 2020 edition From an XFL that concluded without a result, Houston and D.C., two franchises held for 2023, were unable to match after the first five games of the season.

So a new game is introduced, and Roughnecks fans can get a real sense of whether the team would have eliminated the Defenders when they went 5-0 to start the season.

See more: Houston Roughnecks XFL football coverage

Best for best

Despite losing on the road in their first game of the season against a North Division opponent, the Roughnecks (4-1) sit atop the South Division, thanks to coach Wade Phillips’ balanced offense on both sides of the ball.

Not to be outdone by the Defenders (5-0) embarrassed their North Division rivals within their first five games, proving themselves to be the team to beat not just in the league but the entire league.

Yes, you might have a preview of the upcoming XFL Championship Game on Monday night.

quarterback

Any successful football team starts and ends with the position of QB, regardless of level.

And Roughnecks-Defenders will give you more of that and then some.

Houston native Brandon (don’t call him “Long John”) Silvers is a top three QB player in passing yards heading into Monday night. Not only that, Silvers, who was a member of the Seattle franchise three years ago, leads the league in passes of 40 yards or more with six, which usually means his receiving team is top-notch.

Not to be outdone, DC’s Jordan Tamo, who became a household XFL name dating back to his star-making career with the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2020, runs a dynamic offense that keeps other defenders guessing.

There is also another name for a QB to mention who should be familiar to Houston football fans.

King Driq

the Manvel High School Producer-heart-University of Houston Stud-heart-University of Miami Transfer It is the key to the dynamic attack of the capital.

He’s not usually the starter, but his team gives him a chance to feature in a couple of QB sets, tie-breakers, and wild formations. Think of the NFL’s Taysom Hill Saints.

Case in point, King leads the XFL in rushing touchdowns as a QB, outpacing even the best running backs in the league.

Is Coach Phillips smart enough to spot any misdirection by King, or will the 25-year-old make a show of not only DC fans, but friends and family tuning in from H-town?

And most importantly, are you not amused?

Join Roughnecks fans for an official watch party at FAO HTX, 2303 Smith St. Suite 300 in Houston.

Watch the Roughnecks vs. the DC Defenders Monday night at 6 p.m. on ABC13’s sister network ESPN2.

SEE ALSO: ESPN Reporter Explains What It’s Like to Ask XFL Players and Coaches Questions During a Game