The XFL likely couldn't have asked for a better game to finish off its 2023 regular season than Sunday's meeting between the Sea Dragons and Vipers.
Depending on the outcome, one of Seattle or St. Louis (both 6-3 entering Week 10) will play the D.C. Defenders in the XFL's North division championship game. And one of several scenarios could play out in what fans are quickly discovering is a convoluted tiebreaker process.
Seattle has only one way to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday: Hope the Battlehawks lose to the Guardians in the first game of Week 10, then turn around and beat Las Vegas to end the season. Do that, and the Sea Dragons will challenge D.C. for the chance to play in the XFL championship.
MORE: Watch Sea Dragons vs. Vipers live with Fubo (free trial)
A loss by both teams would send the Battlehawks to the playoffs by way of divisional record; a win by both teams would bring up an eight-point tiebreaker process that, on paper, would seem to favor Seattle (Ben Frederickson provided a breakdown for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
Luckily for the Sea Dragons, they're taking on a Vipers team that at 2-7 is not only in last place in the North division, but also hasn't won a game since Week 7, against the Brahmas. That said, Vegas did give Seattle a tough game in Week 3, falling 30-26 as Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci carved up the Vipers' secondary to the tune of 377 yards and four touchdowns on 29-of-37 passing. Running back Morgan Ellison also added 103 rushing yards on just 17 carries.
If DiNucci — who leads the league with 2,332 passing yards — can have another monster game vs. the Vipers, it may just be enough to secure a playoff berth. But Seattle must win on Sunday; anything less would be wasted effort.
MORE: XFL playoff standings heading into Week 10
With that, The Sporting News has everything you need to know to watch the Sea Dragons-Vipers game, including time, TV channel, streaming information and more:
What channel is Sea Dragons vs. Vipers on today?
- TV channel: ESPN2
- Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo (free trial)
ESPN2 will broadcast the meeting between Sea Dragons and Vipers. Streaming options include ESPN+ — a separate service from logging in on the ESPN app — and Fubo, which carries ESPN2 and offers a free trial for potential subscribers.
Sea Dragons vs. Vipers start time
- Date: Sunday, April 23
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Vipers at Sea Dragons will kick off at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) in the last game of the XFL's regular season. It will take place from Lumen Field in Seattle.
MORE: Breaking down XFL players' salary for 2023
XFL schedule Week 10: What games are on today?
Saturday, April 22
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Guardians at Battlehawks | Noon | ESPN, Fubo |
| Defenders at Brahmas | 3 p.m. | ABC, Fubo |
Sunday, April 23
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Roughnecks at Renegades | 3 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Vipers at Sea Dragons | 7 p.m. | ESPN2, Fubo |
