XFL Open Thread: St. Louis welcomes back professional football

For the first time since the Rams moved out of town and headed back west to Los Angeles, the good people of St. Louis get to host a professional football game at The Dome.

The Battlehawks are welcoming the New York Guardians into their house for a pivotal match-up to decide second place in the XFL East division behind the D.C. Defenders.

The Guardians’ offense is led by former Penn State and Oakland Raider quarterback Matt McGloin, who is coming off one of the worst games in the short history of the new XFL. He completed 8-of-19 passes for 44 and a pair of interceptions. The Guardians were shutout by the Defenders last week, 27-0.

The Battlehawks are quarterbacked by former Ole Miss standout Jordan Ta’amu. After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Ta’amu has made a home in the XFL as the second-leading passer through the first two weeks with 493 yards. He’s also been a threat with his feet, posting 109 yards which was good for third in the league through two weeks.

Former Florida Gator and Washington running back Matt Jones has been their workhorse on the ground. Prior to this weekend, he’s been the league-leader with 129 rushing yards.

Former Chargers safety Dexter McCoil is one of the impact players for the Battlehawks’ defense, along with former AAF standout Terrance Garvin at linebacker.

The second game between the D.C. Defenders and the LA Wildcats also boasts a ton of talent across either team. Former Chargers QB Cardale Jones leads the Defenders and was first in passing yards up to this point. Former Rams and Chargers WR Nelson Spruce is lighting the league up through the air as a top-3 wide receiver in yards and touchdowns. He is the top weapon for Wildcats QB Josh Johnson.