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XFL week 3 fantasy POV: Will Tampa Bay offense score its 1st TD?

By Darwin (Deni) Martin

SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Marc Trestman of the Tampa Bay Vipers during the game against the Seattle Dragons at CenturyLink Field on February 15, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Joe Nicholson/XFL via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Marc Trestman of the Tampa Bay Vipers during the game against the Seattle Dragons at CenturyLink Field on February 15, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Joe Nicholson/XFL via Getty Images) /
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The Tampa Bay Vipers offense has not scored a touchdown in their first two games of the season.  Will they score their first against the Houston Roughnecks Saturday?

Put on the old research cap and discovered the NFL’s Washington Redskins suffered a greater offensive scoring drought in 2019 than the current Vipers squad.  The Redskins went 13 consecutive quarters without its offense scoring a touchdown.

The Redskins broke the drought with 9:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter of a 17-16 week 6 win over Miami. Redskin quarterback Case Keenum threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

It is not from the lacking of trying that the Vipers have been shutout in touchdowns.  Tampa Bay’s running attack has produced two backs – De’Veon Smith 115 yards) and Jacques Patrick (105) – with more than 100 yards rushing.  Wide receiver Dan Williams averages 16.1 yards per catch with 9 receptions for 145 yards.

The big question remains:  Who will start at quarterback.  Aaron Murray started in the season opener and injured his foot.  He is listed as day-to-day by head coach Marc Trestman.

Taylor Cornelius took most of the snaps in Tampa Bay’s 17-9 week 2 loss to Seattle, but he was ineffective.  He threw two interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 44.4.  Quinton Flowers has served as the relief quarterback in both losses, but he’s completed 4 out of 9 passes for 55 yards.

Thankfully, defense is not an issue for the Vipers.  They lead the XFL in fewest yards allowed.  Cornerback Tarvarus McFadden intercepted a Brandon Silvers’ pass last Sunday and raced 78 yards for Tampa Bay’s only touchdown of the season.

Houston is 2-0 after beating the .A. Wildcats, 37-17, in week 1 and defeating the St. Louis BattleHawks, 28-24,  in week 2.  The Roughnecks’ defense has been pretty tough this season too, so don’t be surprised if they extend the Vipers” offensive touchdown scoring drought to 12 quarters.

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