The 2020 XFL season has been a complete hit so far with surprising performances by the quarterbacks in the league. Quarterbacks such as Cardale Jones and Phillip Walker have been in the XFL spotlight as they have showcased amazing skill and passion throughout the first weeks in the season. Jones was on fire with nearly 500 total passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception combined in the first two weeks, but had his first true test of the season during week three. That test was against the Los Angeles Wildcats and QB Josh Johnson as it was the first road game of the season for the Defenders and Jones. With being nearly ten-point underdogs heading into the game, QB Josh Johnson had the perfect opportunity to showcase he could still be the face of a franchise with an excellent win against arguably the best QB in the league.
J. Johnson 🏈
119 passing yards
9.2 Yards per pass
2 Touchdowns
137.5 QBRTBetter than Goff? Hmmmmmm 🤨
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) February 24, 2020
For Johnson, it did not take long for him to make that statement as he easily drove down the field in the 1st quarter and hit wide receiver McBride for the 40-yard touchdown play. Remember, McBride was traded by the Defenders to the Wildcats during training camp as he too wanted to remind DC of the mistake they made. Johnson and McBride would connect for another touchdown halfway in the 2nd quarter, this time a 28-yard touchdown play. With the score already 20-0 late in the 2nd quarter, Johnson stayed consistent and focused giving the Wildcats every opportunity to score on every drive.
However, on the other side of the ball, Jones was also consistent. The young QB was consistently throwing to the other team as he would throw four interceptions in the game. Jones was not comfortable in the pocket as he was pressured left and right in the blowout loss against the Wildcats. Jones was down early and could never regroup on Sunday. Johnson won the battle on Sunday, but he has been winning the battle ever since he took control of the offense back in week two.
In two starts with the Wildcats, Johnson has completed 36 passes out of 59 attempts with 463 total passing yards and five touchdowns. Johnson has yet to make a mistake so far this season and it clearly shows in his 118.25 quarterback rating per game average. One of the many reasons why I have continued to back him in my XFL Free Picks. I have a good feeling this will not be the last of Johnson playing well with the Wildcats. Sorry Cardale, but Johnson is taking your spot on the top and will be joining Walker as the best QB’s in the league.
