XFL Sunday Preview: Sea Dragons need a big win to clinch playoff spot
The grand finale to the XFL regular season is upon us. After 10 weeks, the re-rebooted XFL is about ready to conclude and move to its first postseason. The Seattle Sea Dragons will end the regular season with a home rematch at Lumen Field against the Vegas Vipers, whom they defeated 30-26 in Week 3 this year.
The Sea Dragons have the inside track to the playoffs over the St. Louis Battlehawks, but they still have work to do. Had St. Louis lost to the Orlando Guardians, all Seattle would’ve needed was an outright win over Vegas to clinch. Unfortunately, the Battlehawks pasted the Guardians 53-28.
While a St. Louis defeat would make this a lot simpler, the good news is the Sea Dragons now have a barometer of what they need to do on Sunday afternoon. If both teams win, then it goes to an intricate tiebreaker based on points scored and points allowed. The XFL’s website has an excellent explanation on the full details, but here is what you need to know:
St. Louis has scored 249 points in the regular season, while allowing 202
Seattle, to date, has scored 215 and allowed 168 – the best in the north division.
Bottom line: Seattle needs to score more than 34 points on Sunday – while also not allowing 34 points themselves – to edge out the Battlehawks for a playoff spot. If the Sea Dragons can score 35 points and allow less than 34, they are in the postseason over St. Louis. If they score less, then it goes to further tiebreakers.
Of course, all of this is moot if Seattle can’t win on Sunday.
The Sea Dragons will kick off on Sunday at 4:00 pm Pacific on ESPN2 or ESPN+.
