D.C. Defenders douse Vegas Vipers in XFL 2023 play

The Defenders improved to 2-0 in XFL 2023 play

The D.C. Defenders upped their XFL 2023 record to 2-0 with an 18-6 victory over the Vipers in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The Defenders scored all the points in the second half to erase a 6-0 deficit at the break.

They cut the deficit in half with a field goal in the third quarter and scored 15 points in the final 15 minutes.

Deriq King had 4 rushes for 32 yards and a TD. Abram Smith carried 11 times for 71 yards and a score.

D.C. rushed for 229 yards on 42 carries, which was more than enough to offset Jordan Ta’amu’s lackluster evening at QB, throwing for 93 yards.

The winless Vipers saw Brett Hundley replace Luis Perez at QB. They were a combined 12 of 23 for 98 yards.

The Vipers had less than 100 yards rushing and didn’t hit the century mark passing.