Tough loss yesterday for the Battlehawks. They had a win and in scenario setup for that home game too.
Now they need to win week 10 and hope for some help.
Four teams are fighting for the final two playoff spots with one regular-season week remaining
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XFL 2023 playoff picture: Sea Dragons top Battlehawks in Week 9 to set up weighty final week of regular season
Who's still alive:
St. Louis Battlehawks
Seattle Sea Dragons
Arlington Renegades
San Antonio Brahmas
St. Louis could have clinched the North Division's second playoff spot with a win over the visiting Sea Dragons in Week 9. But the Battlehawks were unable to take care of business against surging Seattle, which has gone 6-1 after an 0-2 start.
Ahead 20-12 through three quarters, Seattle prevailed after out-scoring the host Battlehawks 10-0 in the game's final stanza. Bryce Thompson's interception of St. Louis quarterback A.J. McCarron set up former Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay's 1-yard touchdown run that essentially clinched Seattle's season-saving win.
Seattle received yet another winning performance from quarterback Ben DiNucci, who went 21 of 31 for 260 yards with two touchdowns and a pick.
Conversely, Sunday was a tough day for McCarron, who threw two interceptions while completing just 56.2% of his passes. McCarron played through pain as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury that was sustained earlier this month.
The Battlehawks can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Vipers next Sunday and a Sea Dragons loss to the Orlando Guardians next Saturday. If both teams win -- or both lose -- the second playoff spot in the North will come down to a tiebreaker that won't be determined until Week 10 has concluded.
The other playoff scenario is a lot less complicated. Arlington will face Houston in the South Division Championship if they can defeat the Roughnecks at home next Sunday. Hines Ward's Brahmas need a win over the visiting Defenders and an Arlington loss to Houston in order to potentially quality for the postseason, pending the tiebreaker, as both teams would be 4-6.
San Antonio kept its playoff hopes alive following Saturday's 25-23 win over Orlando. San Antonio's win was spearheaded by quarterback Jack Coan's 302 yards on 25 of 31 passing. Conversely, Arlington was unable to punch its playoff ticket after coming up short in overtime against D.C. While Arlington quarterback Luis Perez threw for 355 yards in regulation, he was unable to complete either of his passes in overtime.
