The Arlington Renegades have one last chance to reach .500 for the season in their impending game vs. the D.C. Defenders — and the accompanying XFL championship that comes with a win.
Arlington has thus far made the most of its XFL playoff berth, which it earned with a 4-6 regular season record thanks to an overall weak XFL South division. But Bob Stoops and Co. shocked the XFL world on Saturday with a 26-11 South Division championship victory over the Houston Roughnecks, who had previously beaten Arlington in Weeks 2 and 10 of the regular season.
The Renegades upended 7-3 Houston thanks to a three-touchdown performance by quarterback Luis Perez: He completed 19 of 27 passes for 289 yards and three scores to JaVonta Payton (five catches, 121 yards, two touchdowns) and Brandon Arconado (14-yard touchdown catch).
Now Perez will be tasked with taking on the Defenders, who at 10-1 will be heavily favored to win the 2023 championship: D.C. earned its berth in the XFL title game with a dominating 37-21 victory over the Seattle Sea Dragons on Sunday, a contest that was more lopsided than the score indicated thanks to a last-second touchdown by Seattle.
MORE: Watch XFL games live on Fubo (free trial)
The Defenders also got some strong quarterback play in its playoff victory, as Jordan Ta'amu completed 19 of 31 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns to two interceptions. D'Eriq King also completed 4 of 5 passes for 41 yards in the victory.
The question now is whether the Defenders can hold Arlington off one last time as they attempt to win their first XFL championship: The teams met in Week 9 of the regular season and needed overtime before D.C. eventually emerged with a 28-26 victory.
Regardless, the XFL championship has the makings of a thrilling finish to the 2023 campaign. The Sporting News has everything you need to know to tune in and watch:
MORE: Full XFL playoff schedule, bracket
XFL championship game date, time
- Date: Saturday, May 13
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
The XFL championship between the Defenders and Renegades is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 13. It will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
What channel is the XFL championship game on?
- TV channel: ABC
- Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo (free trial)
The XFL championship game between the Defenders and Renegades will be broadcast on ABC. Cord-cutters who want to watch the game via stream can do so on ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
XFL playoff schedule
Below is the full XFL playoff schedule, consisting of the North and South Division championship games and the XFL championship:
Division championships
| Results |
| South: (2) Renegades 26, (1) Roughnecks 11 |
| North: (1) Defenders 37, (2) Sea Dragons 21 |
XFL championship
Saturday, May 13
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream |
| (1) Defenders vs. (2) Renegades | 8 p.m. | ABC | ESPN+, Fubo |
