XFL Week 2 scores, takeaways: Roughnecks join BattleHawks, D.C. as only 2-0 teams; A.J. McCarron comeback king

Here are our takeaways from Week 2 in the XFL

The second week of the 2023 XFL season concluded on Sunday night, and when the smoke cleared only three unbeatens were left standing, as the Houston Roughnecks joined the St. Louis BattleHawks and D.C. Defenders as the league's only 2-0 teams.

With St. Louis and D.C. playing earlier in the week, it was between Houston and the Arlington Renegades to see who could keep pace. That distinction went to Houston, which should be no surprise to fans who followed the XFL when it last played three years ago: The Roughnecks started that 2020 season 5-0 before it was shut down, so they have yet to lose an XFL game.

Houston led 11-0 early on Sunday, but it wouldn't be that easy, as two turnovers led to 14 Arlington points. The Roughnecks responded with an impressive second half, led by quarterback Brandon Silvers and Wade Phillips' talented defense, which sacked quarterback Drew Plitt five times and intercepted him twice. 

Silvers wasn't great (he completed exactly 50% of his passes), but he took care of the ball, threw two touchdown passes and completed several other big throws in the second half. 

The Renegades' win came after the San Antonio Brahmas blew away the Orlando Guardians in Sunday's first game.

Orlando received solid play from quarterback Jack Coan, who threw three touchdowns. Conversely, Orlando's unsettled quarterback situation continues to be a major issue. Paxton Lynch was benched for a second straight week in favor of Deondre Francois, who like Lynch struggled to move the ball in the air against San Antonio's defense. The Guardians' issues at quarterback continue to negate what has been a solid rushing attack through two weeks. 

In the two XFL games played earlier this week, a pair of low-scoring contests provided very different stories. Read more about all four games below as we break down our five biggest takeaways from the XFL's second week of games. First, a look at all four results:

Thursday
St. Louis BattleHawks 20, Seattle Sea Dragons 18
Saturday
D.C. Defenders 18, Vegas Vipers 6
Sunday
San Antonio Brahmas 30, Orlando Guardians 12 
Houston Roughnecks 23, Arlington Renegades 14 

McCarron taking XFL by storm 

The XFL's first Week 2 game featured another thrilling comeback by the BattleHawks on Thursday night. For a second straight week, St. Louis trailed by a dozen points before receiving a dramatic charge led by quarterback A.J. McCarron. Less than a week after pulling off the upset in the Alamo, McCarron and Co. left Seattle's fan base sleepless after winning the game on a walk off, 44-yard field goal by Donny Hageman. 

The surprising BattleHawks, led by McCarron, have been the XFL's biggest story so far this season. McCarron, who turned down several backup opportunities in the NFL to start in the XFL, shared what this opportunity has meant to him during emotional postgame interviews following both wins. 

McCarron is the headliner, but St. Louis' comebacks have been a collaborative effort. Along with their quarterback, the BattleHawks have one of the league's best collection of skill players in receivers Austin Proehl, Marcell Ateman, Hakeem Butler and running back Mataeo Durant. 

D.C. is legit 

The top team in our first two XFL weekly power rankings, the Defenders looked like they deserved that ranking in Week 2 after a so-so performance in Week 1. After a sloppy first half on Saturday, the D.C. Defenders cleaned things up despite ugly playing conditions, as quarterbacks Jordan Ta'amu and D'Eriq King and running backs Abram Smith and Ryquell Armstead ran for a combined 231 yards and two touchdowns. After falling behind early, D.C. leaned on a dominant rushing attack (led by former Baylor standout Smith) and an equally dominant defense to score 18 unanswered points on Saturday night.

If they can get more vertical production from Ta'amu, the Defenders could be the clear cut favorite to win it all. 

Coan capable of leading Brahmas 

One of the more interesting players coming into the season was Jack Coan, who despite having success at both Wisconsin and Notre Dame in college, was not selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed with the Colts as a free agent but did not make the team's initial 53-man roster. 

While his NFL career has yet to materialize, Coan has found success in the XFL. He completed 69.4% of his throws against St. Louis in Week 1. Coan was even better Sunday against the Guardians as he completed 67% of his throws while leading consecutive scoring drives that ended with touchdown passes. 

Houston among XFL's elite 

Houston was typically in the middle of the pack in XFL preseason power rankings. But after two convincing wins, Wade Phillips' team has shown that they're a legitimate threat to go the distance. 

The Roughnecks' defense is arguably the league's best. After roughing up the Guardians in Week 1, D.C.'s defense made life miserable for quarterback Drew Plitt on Sunday night. Led by former NFL veteran Trent Harris and former Steelers safety Sean Davis, the Roughnecks held Plitt to just 120 yards on 15 of 30 passing. They were even better against the run while allowing just 43 yards on 19 carries. 

Though Houston's offense hasn't been great, it is getting more than enough from that side of the ball thus far. Max Borghi has shown a nose for the end zone, while Silvers has made more than his share of clutch plays in weighty moments. he's taken advantage of a deep receiving corps that features Putman, Jontre Kirklin, Deontay Burnett and Cedric Byrd. 

Orlando among XFL's lowlights 

The Guardians have met low expectations through their first two games. Terrell Buckley's team, which sits at the bottom of our power rankings, has played uninspired offense so far. The defense has been slightly better but they have also contributed to the team's 0-2 start by giving up several splash plays. Things won't get better until Orlando figures out what they are doing at quarterback. In the meantime, they would be wise to lean more Jah-Maine Martin and the running game. 

Las Vegas and Seattle are also 0-2, but both teams were much more competitive in their losses. Offense continues to be an issue for the Vipers, who switched to former Packers quarterback Brett Hundley during Saturday's loss to the Defenders. Seattle, who has enjoyed solid play from former Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci, have simply failed to close out games that they had chances of winning. 

You can check out the full season schedule, rosters, Week 2 picks and much more on our XFL page. And you can relive all the highlights in our live blog below:

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:37 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Ben Putman with a clutch catch to keep the clock moving. Houston closing in on a 2-0 start to the season. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:31 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Roughnecks force another punt, putting Houston in position to salt this game away. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:25 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Max Borghi runs untouched for the score as Houston now ahead 23-14. He's stuffed on the point-after, so the score remains the same. Arlington has work to do, but they have 5:21 to work with.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:21 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Silvers picked off, but a defensive penalty bails him out. This may have been a make up call after Houston did not get DPI just moments earlier. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:20 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Houston didn't win the challenge, much to Wade Phillips' chagrin. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:18 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Houston is wisely going to challenge. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:18 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Kirklin was wide open but Silvers overthrew him. That said, Kirklin was held on the play but DPI was not called. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:14 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Silvers took a big hit on that last completion. Arlington has been bringing the heat all night and its mostly worked out for them. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 9:07 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Houston takes a 17-14 lead into the final quarter. Should be a good finish to what has been a good second week of the XFL season. Neither offense has found its rhythm so far, but Arlington has had more success moving the ball. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 8:58 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Arlington stands tall and forces a punt after the turnover. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 8:55 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Plitt hangs onto the ball too long and loses the ball, giving Houston good field position and ending the Renegades' drive. Plitt had someone open but either didn't see him or just waited too long. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 8:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Houston re-gains the lead in a game that is living up to its billing. Silvers hits Cedric Byrd for the go-ahead score. The Roughnecks have put the pressure back on Arlington.