XFL Week 9 Recap: Close to the Finish Line

Hard to believe that the XFL season is almost over. There hasn't been a completed XFL season since the first year all the way back in 2001, but this go-around is nearing the finish line, and it will be quite a climactic finale. Week 9 actually had a chance to complete this year's playoff field, and again, here is the XFL's playoff format. The format sees the top two teams in each division (North and South) qualify, and after the regular season ends, the division championship games commence. Home field is determined by regular season record, and of course, the winners advance to the XFL Championship, which will be played in San Antonio this year.

With the XFL being a success, I hope that we see more teams added, which would result in a revamped format. Just two additional teams could see a format similar to the CFL, where the division winners get a bye while the other teams play in Division Semifinal games. But that's down the line. Let's take a look at what took place during Week 9.

The Houston Roughnecks entered the season as the heavy favorites to win the XFL Championship, but that took a hit once they lost for the first time ever, and it was followed by two more straight losses. It looked like Houston would be knocked off the South Division perch, but they managed to get back on the winning track entering Week 9. During the season's penultimate week, the Roughnecks faced off against the Vegas Vipers, and while it was close, Houston managed to emerge victorious, by a score of 28-21.

With the win, the Houston Roughnecks earned the right to host the South Division Championship against either of Texas' other two teams: the Arlington Renegades and the San Antonio Brahmas. Each of their playoff fates could have been determined during Week 9. How did they fare?

The Brahmas were in 3rd place, behind the division's playoff line, and were facing elimination. A loss would end their season and give the Renegades the second spot in the South Division before they would take the field on the following day. The Brahmas faced off against the Orlando Guardians, who made it a close affair when their latest TD put them withing two points of San Antonio. However, Orlando missed the two pointer, and the Brahmas were able to escape and hold one for a 25-23 win to keep their hopes alive.

As for the Renegades, they could still get in with a win, but they had to go on the road against the already playoff-bound DC Defenders. This one ended up becoming the third game to need overtime this season, all thanks to a late Arlington drive that ended up resulting in a game-tying field goal. The shootout only saw one score, and it belonged to DC, resulting in a 28-26 overtime win for the Defenders. So the XFL's North Division Championship will be played in DC, and the week ended with the Seattle Sea Dragons and the St. Louis BattleHawks battling it out.

A St. Louis win could have locked in the second spot in the North Division, but the Sea Dragons decided to take their rematch by a score of 30-12. Not only does Seattle stay alive in the race, but it makes things very, very interesting between the clubs. Here's how things stand between the clubs. They are both 6-3. Seattle can get in next week with and a St. Louis loss. St. Louis can get in with a win and a Seattle loss. Simple. If the each team gets the same result, it gets less simple. If both teams lose, then St. Louis gets in via the #2 tiebreaker: divisional record. However, if both teams win, it gets even trickier.

If both teams win, they will remain tied in the standings, and tied in the first three tiebreakers: head-to-head, divisional record, and strength of victory. This will lead to the #4 tiebreaker: best combined ranking among division teams in points scored and points allowed in all games. That requires adding the number ranking in points for and the number ranking in points allowed, with the lower combined number winning. Entering Week 10, it's Seattle who has that edge.

The season is almost over, and Week 10 will kick off with a Saturday doubleheader, starting with the St. Louis BattleHawks hosting the Orlando Guardians, followed by the San Antonio Brahmas hosting the DC Defenders. The final Sunday doubleheader will feature the Arlington Renegades hosting the Houston Roughnecks, followed by a North Division battle between the Vegas Vipers and the Seattle Sea Dragons.

If you like this story, click the heart and the subscribe button, and feel free to comment below! Tips and pledges would get greatly appreciated, but only if you want to do so!