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Fantasy POV: Defenders, Jones will rebound to beat Vipers in XFL week 4

By Darwin (Deni) Martin

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: Quarterback Cardale Jones #12 of the DC Defenders makes a pass in the third quarter against the LA Wildcats at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 23, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: Quarterback Cardale Jones #12 of the DC Defenders makes a pass in the third quarter against the LA Wildcats at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 23, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /
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The D.C. Defenders (2-1) got pummeled last week in a 39-9 road loss to Los Angeles,  but there will be no repeat in this week’s XFL game against the Tampa Bay Vipers (0-3).  D.C. quarterback Cardale Jones will rebound from an awful performance in L.A. to beat the Vipers in the final game of week 4.

It seemed like if anything could go wrong, it did for Jones and his teammates.  He had a quarterback rating of 20.4, threw 4 interceptions and completed just 50% of his passes.

The Defenders are looking to taking advantage of the VIpers’ scoring defense, which is the worst in the XFL and gives up an average of 24.7 points per game.  Despite his performance against the WIldcats last weekend, Jones is No. 3 among quarterbacks in passing yardage with 602 yards.  He is just 10 yards behind St. Louis’ Jordan Ta’amu.

The problem for D.C. is, except for Jones, there are no other skilled position players among the league leaders.  They have one rushing touchdown scored by running back NIck Brossette in the loss to the Wildcats last Sunday.

Tampa Bay will be starting Taylor Cornelius at quarterback, because Aaron Murray and Quinton Silvers are still battling injuries.  Cornelius has played in the second and third games of the season and completed only 55%.  He has thrown one touchdown pass and three interceptions.

The Vipers are going to have to lean on their running game if they hope to beat the Defenders.   Running back DeVeon Smith has 174 yards rushing and teammate Jacques Patrick has 123 yards.  Surprisingly, neither running back has scored a touchdown this season.

Defensively, the Defenders looked good in the opening two games but last week’s 39-9 loss to the Wildcats hurt their confidence.  They have given up just over 19 points per game.

Tampa Bay’s defense seems to be in worse shape.  They are No. 8 in scoring defense in an 8-team league, while D.C. is No. 3 in the XFL.

Here are the DFS recommendations for this game:

  • START D.C. quarterback Cardale Jones
  • START Tampa Bay running back DeVeon Smith
  • SIT Tampa Bay quarterback Taylor Cornelius
  • EXPECT the D.C. Defenders to win by 1 with the total points not exceeding 41

Next. DraftKings XFL picks week 4. dark

The game will be played on:

  • .Sunday, March 1, 7:00 p.m. EST at Raymond  James Stadium, Tampa, FL
  • TV Channel: ESPN2 and Live Stream: Watch ESPN and the ESPN App
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