NFL
By Jeff Barnes
Over 12,000 fans came out to support the Orlando Guardians in their home opener versus the San Antonio Brahmas. Many worried that the Brahmas pair of running backs would overwhelm the Guardian’s defensive front. Instead, former Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan was the game-changer with 3 touchdown passes as the Brahmas bulled their way to a 30-12 win over the Guardians. Each of Coan’s touchdown passes went to a different receiver. The win evens their record at 1-1 while the Guardians fall to 0-2.
Paxton Lynch would make his second start, which went a lot like his first. Lynch would lead an opening drive that was highlighted by a 38-yard run by running back Jah-Maine Martin, and Lynch’s 17-yard touchdown pass to receiver Eli Rogers (Louisville). Martin’s 38-yard run is the longest rushing play of the season in the XFL. After that, the offense once again bogged down. Quarterback Deondre Francois made his season debut splitting time with Lynch but was unable to find the endzone until late in the 4th quarter as he found tight end Cody Latimer for Latimer’s 2nd touchdown of the season. The Guardian’s offense recorded its 1st 100-yard rushing performance as a team. Last week, Andrew Jamiel led all Guardians receivers in receiving yards. This week, the Brahmas limited him to 1 catch for 3-yards on 6 targets. Tackle Ja’Chai Baker (South Alabama) struggled to protect the edge resulting in a sack and several hurries on the Guardian’s quarterbacks.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Guardian’s defense. The Guardians limited the San Antonio running game to 66 yards rushing yards total. Even with Coan’s 3 touchdown passes, the Guardian’s defense held the Brahmas offense to just 210 total yards. With all the talk about sacks, the two teams combined for 3 total sacks today. The Brahmas accounted for 2 sacks, while the Guardians accounted for just 1 sack.
Guardians Head Coach Terrell Buckley vowed that things are going to change this week. “We are going to come in tomorrow morning and re-evaluate our team,” Coach Buckley said. Coach Buckley was also baffled by the struggles of the Guardian’s offense after fast starts in both games. He pointed out that mental mistakes, penalties, and negative plays are also culprits in their struggles. San Antonio Brahmas Hed Coach Heinz Ward pointed out that they expected to see a lot of man coverage. That was a factor in their success in the passing game. Coach Buckley stated there are times you have to play man coverage. Early in the game, the Guardian’s defense used more zone coverage and rushed four with limited impact on the pocket. They took more chances as Coan had more success leaving their secondary one-on-one with their tight ends and receivers.
The Guardians find themselves in an unenviable position traveling to Arlington next week to face the 1-1 Renegades. After defeating the Brahmas in dramatic fashion week 1, the Renegades fell to the Roughnecks that defeated the Guardians Week 1. That game will kick off at 4 PM ET/3 PM CT on FX.
