XFL kickoff 2023: Are D.C. Defenders the team to beat?

The XFL is back for the third time this Saturday, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Dany Garcia at the helm as new owners. The league will feature seven teams in two divisions - the North division consisting of the D.C. Defenders, Seattle Sea Dragons, St. Louis Battlehawks, and Vegas Vipers. The South division comprises the Houston Roughnecks, Arlington Renegades, San Antonio Brahmas, and Orlando Guardians.

"The Rock" in 2001 attending an XFL game

D.C. Defenders +650 to win XFL Championship

Team strengths

The Defenders have a strong group of coaches heading into the year, including Reggie Barlow -- who is hoping to replicate the success he has had in the past at Virginia State. The rest of the staff includes Jamie Sharper, who was part of the Baltimore Ravens team that won their first Super Bowl, and Gregg Williams, who is known for running aggressive, attacking 4-3 schemes.

The Defenders QB room is loaded with players like Jordan Ta'amu, D'Eriq King, and Eric Dungey. Other key players include Abram Smith, who averaged 6 yards-per-carry during his college career at Baylor, and Jequez Ezzard, a breakout star in the slot and the return game from Sam Houston State.

On the defensive side, key players include Caraun Reid and Davin Bellamy, both having spent time in the NFL. Joining them is Ferrod Gardner, a long-time Louisiana Ragin' Cajun star. Michael Joseph and K.J. Sails have also both had opportunities in the NFL.

With impressive talent and an experienced coaching staff, the Defenders are being touted as one of the top teams to beat in the XFL 2023 season. With a tough-minded defense and a potent offense, they look poised to make a run at the XFL championship.

---

Team weaknesses

Despite the loaded QB room and impressive coaching staff, it still comes down to the players. The Defenders offensive skilled players group is second to none, however the offensive line doesn’t have a lot of familiar names, which should worry fans. While Reggie Barlow and Gregg Williams lead an experienced coaching staff, the offensive line remains a weakness, yet the team has the potential to make a serious run at the XFL championship.

---

Opportunities

The Defenders already have a philosophy despite not having yet played a game. Offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss will employ a spread-out, college-style offense. It appears that D.C. has the players to execute the attack. On the defensive side, the leadership of Gregg Williams, a former Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator, will look to provide the Defenders with a tough-minded defense that will put pressure on opponents.

Head coach Barlow is confident of the team's tight end and thinks it would help them be creative.

“Defensively, I want us to be the late-nineties Ravens. Offensively, the current Kansas City Chiefs, meaning we’re going to be creative. I think we have the best tight end group in the league, so that helps with creativity,” the head coach said.

---

Threats faced

The Defenders went 3-2 three years ago, starting the season with a win over Seattle and ending it with a victory against St. Louis. They, like seven other teams, have a new head coach for the 2023 season, with Barlow taking the reins. The XFL is still a young league and with all the different rules that apply to the game, it may take coaches a little bit of time to adapt.

With only a few months of team experience, the Defenders will have to adjust quickly to be successful. Coaches must quickly learn the new rules and players must gel together to create a winning team. If this can be achieved, the Defenders can win it all come the end of the season.