The Vipers missed a golden opportunity to get their first win of the season, blowing a nine point lead in the second half as the Seattle dragons scored 17 unanswered points to beat Tampa Bay 17-9 in the Dragons home opener.
The Vipers lead the XFL in offense averaging 342 yards a game and also lead the league in defense giving up 217 yards game, and yet are sitting at 0-2 on the season and still looking for their first win.
The Vipers had their chance to get that first win against a Seattle Dragons defense that had given up 227 passing yards the week before, but the two quarterback platoon of Taylor Cornelius and Quinton Flowers were never able to get anything going offensively.
The Vipers continue to be good offensively from the 20 to the 20 but poor play calling and execution along with untimely penalties has cost the Vipers in the red zone.
Dan Williams had a touchdown pass called back in the game after he was called for offensive pass interference. That would have given the Vipers the lead in the game and also would have been the Vipers first offensive touchdown of the season.
The Vipers got off to a 3-0 lead in the first half on a 36 yard field goal by Adam Franks and led at the half 3-0.
In the third quarter, a 78 yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Tarvarus McFadden put the Vipers up 9-0 and it looked as if the Vipers were on their way to their first win in franchise history.
But Seattle playing before the latest XFL crowd of the season at just over 29,000 made just enough key plays despite only 199 yards of total offense to put 17 unanswered points on board in the second half to beat the Vipers 17-9.
The Vipers quarterback play is a real problem so far as they have not thrown a touchdown pass while being picked off five times.
Aaron Murray, Taylor Cornelius, and Quinton Flowers have all been given an opportunity to showcase what they can do, and no one has proven that they deserve to be the starting quarterback.
Coach Marc Trestman when asked about Aaron Murray would only say that Murray is still day to day and that they would be monitoring his progress next week.
The Vipers after two weeks on the road will have their home opener against the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.
Houston brings a 2-0 record into the game and is led by one of the most surprising quarterbacks in the league in PJ Walker.
Walker has thrown for 435 yards on the season with seven touchdown passes and one interception. Houston also has the top scoring offense in the league, so this will be a big challenge for the Vipers defense.
Kickoff is at 2PM on Saturday.
