D.C. Defenders vs. St. Louis Battlehawks | Full Game Highlights | XFL on ESPN

Check out these highlights as the D.C. Defenders improve to 5-0 after their 28-20 win over the St. Louis Battlehawks.
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[@OldSoul-px3ld]

The play-by-play announcer was awesome this game. Whoever it is, I hope he does more games!

[@DannyPlaysStuff]

Josh Schriffen is the name, and yeah he was awesome during the game....

[@Blackmegagun]

That reaction by the crowd after the 50 yard TD from St Louis was perfect 🎉

[@tbone5267]

Another good game between these two teams. This game was hard hitting and had explosive plays from both teams. DC’s RB Smith & O-Line had a great day and DC’s defense is always tough, with DC’s run game and defense being the class of the XFL, they’re going to be tough to beat. It would be fun to see these two teams in the playoffs, but I’m not counting out Seattle. I know its year 1 of the XFL 3.0 but do y’all consider these two teams rivals? ❌🏈

[@redskinsman10]

100% its a rivalry. Did u see the first game at Audi?

[@tbone5267]

@@redskinsman10 Yeah, I saw the first game and yes I agree, this is a rivalry.

[@RavenStorm332]

These teams have been rivals sense XFL 2.0 and now in the XFL 2.5 they're continuing that rivalry

[@thabruhfrom9444]

With classless st. Louis fans chanting DC sucks before a snap was ever taken... yeah, it's a rivalry... a lopsided rivalry because st. Louis isn't on the defenders, Roughnecks, or Seadragons level.

[@fabianbrooks5955]

Definitely a rivalry Seattle and Houston is the next rival. I say Seattle and Houston is the descending best teams

[@luisleal2940]

Another great game , this shoulda been on prime time . If XFL failed again , St Louis should have NFL back as soon as possible.

[@Saint_Noel]

They couldn’t because of March madness. They’ll start putting them on prime time after March madness is over.

[@Graphics_Card]

Not practical now

[@esimpson31828]

OF COURSE I’m A FAN OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL.. BUT MAN I’M DEFINITELY A FAN OF THIS XFL!! AND I LOVE THE PASSIONATE FANS IN ST. LOUIS U CAN TELL THEY HAVE BEEN STARVING FOR A FOOTBALL TEAM AND THEY DESERVE IT!! ST. LOUIS AND SAN ANTONIO HAS THE BEST FANS IN THE XFL SO FAR!!

[@higg6571]

Fr

[@mahleezy]

DC might have something to say about that with their beer snake

[@GreenCrib]

Great game. These professional football players get better every week! The XFL is here to stay.

[@RenegadeLK]

Dang I was hoping the Battlehawks would've won. These XFL games been entertaining thus far!

[@kaminator515]

Tough loss for the Battle Hawks....But a fantastic game!

[@buzzz9887]

Refs were rough

[@aaronmartin3954]

DC Defenders put up a hard-fought game tonight the way they've step up against the BattleHawks it was worth it shout-out to Abram Smith's 200+ yards rushing & 3 TDs and shout-out to Michael Joseph getting the game-sealing interception needed for DC Defenders to stay undefeated 5-0 happy early birthday to him

[@theeternalslayer]

Congrats on being 5-0 from a sea dragons fan. I Bet it helps the sting from the commanders being so irrelevant

[@aaronmartin3954]

@@theeternalslayer you never know what DC Sports team show up and show out being that team to succeed

[@sonicsnaxx6315]

I thought they said ChatGpt was supposed to sound like a human wrote it?

[@esimpson31828]

GREAT CROWD ST. LOUIS!!!

[@gunnarstew]

Was at this game supporting DC and the energy was insane.

[@evanturner-ewert6373]

The best game to date- and a running back star is born!

[@ssmgent7445]

DC defenders the hottest team in the XFL

[@gregpaspatis9425]

@SSMG ENT Week Six, Monday nite football at Audi Field, D.C. Defenders vs. Houston Roughnecks first ever meeting will decide who the hottest team in the XFL is.

[@GReid-ol5gk]

@@gregpaspatis9425 Roughnecks lost to SEA.

[@CFC.Jaharri]

@@gregpaspatis9425 the roughnecks lost, not the defenders, so what?

[@pwizandtheween3652]

These are my two favorites so far. Their fan bases show great support. Makes the games even more fun to watch. I wish these games weren't tied to ESPN. I'd like to be able to watch the full games live. Really enjoying the XFL so far.

[@RavenStorm332]

Disney I believe is planning on putting games on ABC at some point but they want to put sports on FX

[@pwizandtheween3652]

@@RavenStorm332 I hope they are on ABC by the time playoffs come around

[@RavenStorm332]

@@pwizandtheween3652 I think ABC would be great for prime time games or even all of the playoff games and championship

[@Mattnova_116]

Dude ESPN+ is where it's at.

[@RavenStorm332]

@@Mattnova_116 not everyone has ESPN+

[@GReid-ol5gk]

What a performance by Abram Smith

[@Saint3188]

Let's Go Defenders Thanks for making my birthday that much better.

[@JAED5]

@69fornightgamer cry on🤣 name One bad call loser boy. And there’s only one ref😂

[@thabruhfrom9444]

​@69fornightgamer because the refs committed 10 penalties before halftime? St. Louis is undisciplined.

[@cease25]

What a great game. I look forward to watching them face each again in the playoffs.

[@RUSHHOURTV]

DC cannot be stopped!!!!

[@JAED5]

@69fornightgamer bro made three replies💀

[@liloiax22]

1:22- what a goal line stand by the _St. Louis Battlehawks!!!_ _WHAT AN AMAZING DEFENSIVE STAND!!!_

[@The_Crimson_Wolf_]

Defenders stay winning 😎

[@dominiqueharris1791]

If only the Commanders played that good lol

[@Texas1fan2001]

😂😂

[@JAED5]

@Cuz Allen ong

[@wildwine6400]

Really good game. Thought the Battlehawks might have had a comeback in the 4th but I think they was too sloppy on defense early in the game and the Defenders punished them for it

[@howdy1079]

DC DEFENDERS BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE

[@ShaneDouglas713]

Abram was having a field day with the Battlehawks D!!! 😯

[@YC-zw5eb]

I know these haters can't stand us. Shields Up 🛡️!!! Who are we? The Defenders! DC stand up!

[@raullopez3372]

Que juegazo!!!

[@superjonh1000]

DC's RB will have a NFL contract by the end of the season, dude's playing great

[@mloftus8618]

Who’s ready for an absolute THROW DOWN next week? DC vs. HOU on Monday Night! Biggest test yet for both teams, who may end up playing for the XFL Championship later on. HOU will have a ton of rest, 2 more days than DC, and HOU coming off their first loss. I’m a worried DC fan, but I think we got this! Let’s go!

[@andrewwhipple1507]

This didn't quite capture the amount of ref ball going down. 35,800 in attendance.

[@JAED5]

Cry on

[@slimischillin7753]

Dc might have the best team in the xfl

[@YC-zw5eb]

There's no might about it. We do have the best team in the XFL.!

[@gregpaspatis9425]

With combined records of 9-1, the first ever meeting between the D.C. Defenders and Houston Roughnecks on Monday nite (football) at Audi Field will decide who the best team in XFL is.

[@KrisGarland]

@@gregpaspatis9425 they played in 2020 and DC lost

[@YC-zw5eb]

@@gregpaspatis9425 no that's actually wrong with the Defenders being undefeated their clearly the best team in the XFL and the Roughnecks have shown everyone that their a very close second place 🥈

[@YC-zw5eb]

@@KrisGarland this ain't 2020 that was then this is now! Shields Up 🛡️!!!

[@CreetureFeature]

This crowd is a light years improvement over that dud Seattle crowd yesterday.

[@higg6571]

Seattle and Vegas have crappy fanbases

[@mattiOTX]

​@@higg6571 they always have, what I don't get it there are plenty of places in the north and south that would have been head over heels for spring football or any football where they would have had better fan attendence. What they were looking for was to dip into established money and markets but they misread the people. St Louis was great because they are a football city and they want it. Texas works cause football is our state religion.

[@tekanatoken]

Where all those STL fans who were here throughout the week talking all that mess? 🤔 Just wanna say ...good game.🛡🍺🐍

[@onescaryapothiconboi7475]

Well, the Defenders really pulled through when they got the refs in the draft pick.

[@thabruhfrom9444]

​@@onescaryapothiconboi7475 nah. Can't blame the refs with the transparency of officiating in this league. St. Louis is just undisciplined.

[@tekanatoken]

@@onescaryapothiconboi7475 Just take that L and move on.

[@brandonwells4772]

​@onescaryapothiconboi7475 both times we played STL, all they can talk about is missed calls. But did they use their challenge on any of them? STL just undisciplined, my man.

[@JAED5]

@@brandonwells4772 exactly

[@JordanRA]

Great game! XFL games are getting better every week, this was a fun one. Defenders 5-0, Battlehawks fan base is insane!

[@Mitch_Feral]

St Louis' O-line is dreadful, my goodness. Reminds me of those mid-80's Pats O-lines that didnt block for Tony Eason. Mccarron is running for his life every down.

[@TiltBrook]

These St. Louis fans are terrific! When the XFL announced that it was coming back in 2023, they did not change much at all when it came to the St. Louis Battlehawks… (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!) The STL fans were ADAMANT in wanting to keep it the same as it was in 2020. Well, Seattle also had great attendance in the 2020 version. I can’t emphasize enough, and I know it may sound trivial;…but fans up here are not happy with the name change from “Dragons” to “SEA Dragons!” In St. Louis, they knew how vital it was to keep things pretty much the same with the BattleHawks. In Seattle, fans here LOVE the Seahawks more than anything! And now, to have a team with a similar name to the SEAhawks just doesn’t sit well. Believe it or not, that is unfortunately a huge reason why interest and attendance has dropped. Also, let’s face it, “SEA Dragons” just sounds wimpy. Whereas “Dragons” sounded mean, menacing,…and original. The “Dragons” had their own identity in the Pacific Northwest. Now, the SEA dragons are in the shadow of the SEAhawks!… which may not have been intentional, but ultimately, not a wise move in a city like Seattle

[@mattiOTX]

But a sea dragon is menacing... In fact that's like saying fire dragon, or earth dragon, sky dragon... I mean it's a descriptor that fits Seattle better. If they are upset over the word sea they probably were not fans of the xfl. They are Seahawk fans stuck needing a football fix instead of actually enjoying the team and being a seadragon fan.

[@patrick4662]

I watched this video for almost 11 minutes not knowing why... until 10:54 came around and I finally found a reason for living. EDIT: before this league started I read a few articles RE players to watch, players who could be on an NFL roster next season. The highest ranked Defenders player consistently was Abram Smith. IMHO he hadn't shown an awful lot to-date, but today he clearly balled out. Probably practice squad or 3rd string material somewhere.

[@lordmichaeltierney3548]

Dam this is the first game I actually was rooting for a team to win guess I’m a battle hawks fan 😅 yet again a solid game from the XFL. Hope it gains more views going forward would be awesome if in the future they could combine XFL,USFL and shoot even AFL into one league or at least cross over games for a chip

[@mattiOTX]

Didn't the usfl or was it the AFL that ran out of cash and had horrid team management issues with people getting paid. I know both had issues. So far I'd rather the xfl expand their seasons a bit longer. Outside of that the others can crash so long as the xfl keeps going. In my opinion the players tend to treat the xfl better than other spring leagues.

[@trombonekingdom]

@@mattiOTX the xfl is taking it’s time doing everything for exactly that reason. Save money and grow slowly

[@papagramps1257]

@@mattiOTX it was actually the aafl (alliance of american football) that imploded. The USFL is having their 2nd season start pretty soon actually

[@Kingdizzleltdinc615]

XFL been some great football

[@jjspleen8611]

X fl has been great. My son found his passion for watching nfl football this year. Been watching games together. Being able to extend this with the XFL has been great. Defenders are the best all around team.

[@ShawnVlogs2022]

This league is amazing

[@PigOink1234]

Xfl is something I'm growing to like more as the weeks pass. This was a good game. Enjoyed it. These teams are putting more and more effort.

[@pillowbugg]

Sweet game! Big plays, hard hits and two fantastic teams battling it out...LOVE IT!

[@DannyPlaysStuff]

Man I love football. Good game between these two teams. Abram Smith ma boi with two record rush TDs out of 3 of the season. DC for 12-0, let's do it...! 💪

[@claytonbranche4004]

Shields UP!!!!!

[@YC-zw5eb]

Right Hand Up! ✊

[@bradleyburnett4470]

St Louis has an electric atmosphere. They make it more fun to watch. Those fans are great

[@badcornflakes6374]

After losing the Rams, they needed a team to cheer for

[@marcelljackson2868]

This is awesome St Louis fans came out this is great

[@tat3rd69]

Back when xfl started (again) in 2020 I was a Guardians fan. Because they were a "new york" team and I am a jets/bills fan. And the only other team I liked was the Defenders. And they were good I was always rooting for them. In fact I remember the second game ever being played was dc vs ny and dc dominated. And I took an interest into dc but kept my heart to "ny" teams. Now Guardians are a Florida team I hate them. I'm DC all the way baby.

[@k.d.6881]

at 11:03 you actually hear the coach calling the play, this is so cool, like this feels like im watching a movie, like this feels like all those Hollywood movies about football but its real life, this is so freakin cool, just the presentation of the sport, having audio technicals on, full screen, this hits different

[@CHRISPYakaKON]

Good game

[@jodystrickland9150]

I love the rivalry these 2 teams are building

[@markdobbins1622]

8:55 if you wanna relive that marvelous "kakaw kakaw!!"

[@roryh2241]

What a crowd!! Get games like this off of FX and onto real channels

[@jackzacharias8874]

Awesome game!

[@dennishill991]

Number 15 for DC man watching these highlights I was like come on 15 make the game sealing int I need it snd like the following play he answered my prayers love to see it DC is the team to beat and Jordan tua'mu beats his former XFL team twice this year gotta love it

[@Matthew.Werfel]

This commentator something else 😂😂

[@papashango3880]

Dc defenders look like frontrunner to win the championship

[@BigJonahJ]

I’m just glad we finally have some good spring football lol

[@mikrod9157]

Xfl really demonstrates how the nfl is just a product football is football but it still has to be marketed well to sell I think the xfl is on to success about time

[@jamessnyder9659]

I'm an Arlington Renagades fan but I have to say this was a fun game to watch. Battle Hawks fans are devoted

[@RavenMafia5208]

DC DEFENDERS

[@smoothkid765]

STL WR #15 makes a great catch for a Tud and then jump cut to DC in the red zone? Idgaf if they have a series of 4 yard runs that gets them down the field, the highlights NEED to be included. Instead you go from STL touch down to DC 10 yard rush and the viewer is left wondering how tf that happens.

[@Texas1fan2001]

Great game! I loved the energy of spring football. Funny how DC Defenders seem better than the Commanders 😂

[@lagosfury5142]

Lol...I'm pretty sure the commanders coaching staff and scouts are at these games!!

[@gregpaspatis9425]

Defensive coordinators. Jack Del Rio vs. Gregg Williams?

[@gregpaspatis9425]

Washington (NFL) has played at least nine games without winning for six years in a row and played at least eight games without winning for seven years in a row.

[@keventhomas7519]

I hope the Championship game is with both of these teams.

[@kylefarley5851]

They both in the same division so they will play each other in the first round of the playoffs

[@rolandnicolai]

Excited to see these two in the playoffs! Both dangerous teams and have had great games between each other

[@dennishill991]

Yes only this is DC owns st Louis beat tho

[@jwchamberlain5862]

Wish all XFL cities had this attendance & the enthusiasm like the Battlehawks do in St. Louis

[@ShaneDouglas713]

12:49 *GAME OVER*

[@buddybarlow9604]

Defenders v Roughnecks championship

[@YC-zw5eb]

Collision course! (Stugotz voice) DC wins it all!

[@nathanialthomas6889]

Thanks for putting in a punting highlight.

[@webdubois4142]

Good game.

[@ZoidTheMaster]

Finally, a good Washington football team.

[@cubfan2537]

I love the extra points! Hopefully the NFL implements it at some point.

[@stevenbrown6720]

Is it more exciting

[@badcornflakes6374]

Nah, keep it in the XFL. They have to be different

[@rodneygrayson6635]

Shepard deserves a NFL contract

[@ricogold_]

This is so dope 😂💯

[@frankym69]

For some reason this loss felt like it stung. My money is on St Louis in the title game.

[@DormammuMason]

Battlehawks got exposed

[@YC-zw5eb]

​@69fornightgamer there's nothing wrong with being second best.

[@GReid-ol5gk]

@@YC-zw5eb yes there is. You compete to be the best, not second fiddle

[@YC-zw5eb]

@@GReid-ol5gk very true as a Washingtonian I'm a diehard Defenders fan. Shields Up 🛡️!!! We are 5-0 and clearly the best team in the XFL so yeah I agree with you.

[@FalconsGirl1]

Brian Hill is HIM 😤

[@thabruhfrom9444]

Abram Smith >

[@lastfirst23163]

I would like to see the Defenders play in the NFL, they are looking solid!

[@Exal566]

I was there

[@jimreadey4837]

When?

[@Saint3188]

Ah sweet.

[@jimreadey4837]

@69fornightgamer When?

[@BALL_BUZZ]

And there could be a third game if they are both the top teams in their division which seem to be very likely.

[@thabruhfrom9444]

Seadragons > Battlehawks

[@gregpaspatis9425]

@@thabruhfrom9444 Let's force the Sea Dragons and Battlehawks to have a "play-in" game when the regular season ends to see who goes to the North Div. champ. playoff game.

[@thabruhfrom9444]

​@@gregpaspatis9425 no need. There's still 5 games left. Plenty of time for them to move ahead. They might have the tiebreaker with conference wins too. St. Louis is 1-2 in the north.

[@Shawn-363]

This announcer was awesome!

[@SAINTNIKOLAS_]

Lovin the XFL.. love the St. Louis Battlehawks 💙🗡️🥶!! Making it my mission to see a match at the dome since I live like 20 minutes away from downtown. DC vs STL round III would be awesome so hopefully we’ll end up seeing that as the North Division Playoff matchup🤞🏽.

[@philiphughes8496]

What a game!! Let's go. Wish the Battlehawks won but they played tough.

[@AAKFILMPRODUCTIONS]

Abram smith needs to head to the NFL

[@hardhitterradio3430]

St. Lou fans are awesome!

[@Rob0917]

Player of the game should have been Abram Smith 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@huntermcintosh5181]

King should start..

[@Lewis9700]

I'll admit I was skeptical about the XFL, but they've put out a quality product. Much better than the original IMHO. And it's good that DC finally has a good football team to support, after putting up with Snyder for so many years

[@BlizzardDaPup777]

Refs screwed the battlehawks in this game. I was there and it was a wonderful game except for the refs

[@DMend824]

🛡️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 🛡️

[@JMAN97712]

Let’s go xfl!

[@Jawsnake]

Any time the BattleHawks gained momentum in the first half they ruined it with penalties. Can only hope for a playoff game now I know they got a win on this team!

[@gamarkingduo8783]

If the battle hawks had a run defense, Mabye aj wouldn’t have to take over every game

[@Mattnova_116]

I can make an argument why A.J. McCarron isn't in the NFL, but despite him being a winner in college, however his inability to scramble outside the pocket making him a sitting-duck and that costly turnover late in this game, causes concern.

[@JAED5]

Battlehawks are undefeated. Against teams not named the DC Defenders

[@ShaneDouglas713]

1:44 😬

[@JamesENichols]

Kaw is not the law!

[@melvinvalentinesr4501]

They out there ball n

[@jackhardy1536]

This aged well tho😂

[@trentthejeweler]

Refs played more of a part in the DC defense than any player. I was actually at this game and penalty after penalty.

[@thabruhfrom9444]

So you chose to blame the refs instead of blaming the players for being undisciplined? Makes sense. Lmao

[@Squashmire]

9:27