FSM Essential Preview: Vipers Vs Defenders - Week 2

Photo Credit: Vegas Vipers

FSM Essential Preview: Vipers vs Defenders – Week 2

Vegas Vipers (0-1) | D.C. Defenders (1-0)

The Vegas Vipers welcome the D.C. Defenders to The Snake Pit at Cashman Field for their home opener on Saturday.

The Vipers vs Defenders preview.

Vipers vs Defenders Luis Perez — *Photo Credit: Getty Images*

The Vegas Vipers have their XFL home opener on Saturday when they host the 1-0 D.C. Defenders at Cashman Field. Recently dubbed “The Snake Pit” by the Vipers on social media, it will be the first time they play at home in Vegas and will look to bounce back from a tough 22-20 loss in Arlington against the Renegades last week. As for the Defenders, they prevailed against their opponent, the Seattle Sea Dragons, 22-13 in their Week 1 match-up.

The question that the Fang Gang wants to know is who the Vipers will start at quarterback. Will Luis Perez get the call once again, or will Brett Hundley make his debut?

Last week Perez started hot but cooled off in the second half, guiding Vegas to just 13 total yards until the last possession. Hundley, who signed late with Vegas, was still learning the verbiage, according to head coach Rod Woodson on Monday.

Woodson did say that both quarterbacks would be competing for the starting job this week. The depth chart the Vipers released had Perez listed as the starter on Wednesday. How long will Perez’s leash be if he is ineffective and if Hundley has the playbook’s verbiage down?

As for D.C., Michael Joseph picked off two passes for the Defenders to turn around a game the Sea Dragons, returning one for a 15-yard touchdown to bring the Defenders within 18-16. He then picked off Seattle quarterback Ben DiNucci at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Joseph’s second pick set D.C., with quarterback D’Eriq King putting the Defenders ahead two plays later on a 5-yard touchdown run. D.C. held Seattle on the final drive, recovering a DiNucci with 19 seconds left to secure their come-from-behind win.

The Vipers vs Defenders could be a defensive match up.

Injury Report

Who is hurt for the Vipers vs Defenders game?

DID NOT PRACTICE

DL/LB – Vic Beasley (Concussion Protocol)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

LB – PJ Dawson (Elbow)

RB – DeAndre Torrey (Ankle)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

WR – Martavis Bryant (Illness, not football related)

WR – Cinque Sweeting (Shoulder)

DL – Destiny Vaeao (Leg)

OL – Isaiah Williams (Knee)

Getting you ready for Vipers vs Defenders prior to kick off.

XFL News

The XFL had a great showing last week. They hope the same as the Vipers vs Defenders play on Saturday.

Vipers vs Defenders XFL — *Photo Credit: Steve Luciano/AP*

The XFL opening weekend delivered big time for football fans. The league saw significant reach and strong engagement through traditional media as well as digital through its social channels.

“We were thrilled to see the genuine enthusiasm and overall engagement from fans in-stadium, across digital channels, and tuning into broadcasts throughout the XFL’s opening weekend, despite it being a busy sports and holiday weekend. This strong demand reflects the legitimate desire for professional spring football, and the XFL will continue to deliver the dynamic on-field product that fans asked for,” said Russ Brandon, XFL President.

Brandon added, “Equally evident from the breadth of viewership this weekend is the strength of our partnership with Disney and ESPN. Whether it’s the linear broadcast, live streaming capabilities, on-demand programming, or hosting our original docuseries, our partnership enabled us to reach a global audience and captivate the modern fan base. I am proud of our players and coaches for the work they’ve put in to deliver competitive gameplay for opening weekend. With each week, player development and competition will only improve, and we’re excited for what’s still to come.”

“Our forward-thinking relationship with the XFL gives us the rights to share content in a multitude of ways across our expansive platform to better engage with all viewers where they are in the moment,” said Tim Reed, ESPN vice president of programming & acquisitions. “In addition to unmatched linear game distribution, we are also streaming every game live on ESPN+, providing fans in-progress highlights on ESPN social channels, streaming a weekly digital pre-game show, and showcasing a behind-the-scenes docuseries across the platform.”

You should take the family to go see the Vipers vs Defenders on Saturday.

The Vegas Vipers will welcome D.C. to the Snake Pit on Saturday. The kick-off is at 4 p.m. at Cashman Field, and the game can be seen on FX. For tickets, tap in here.

-Joe Arrigo – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Joe on Twitter & Instagram at @JoeArrigoFSM

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Joe Arrigo

Joe Arrigo is the co-founder and VP of Franchise Sports Media. Joe has been in media since 2004 when he became the morning host on KKUU and mid-days co-host on KXPS in Pam Springs. After his time in Palm Springs, Joe became the operations manager when he built, programmed, and was on-air for KQCM. He has also had stints on-air in various markets, including Fresno. Joe became the producer and co-host for The Beast 980 (KFWB), a sports talk station in Los Angeles, before moving to Vegas in 2015. In 2019 he founded Franchise Sports Media with TQ.

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