The 2020 DC Defenders season was the first season for the DC Defenders as a professional American football franchise. They were playing as charter members of the XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2020 season. The Defenders played their home games at Audi Field and were led by head coach Pep Hamilton.
Their inaugural season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the XFL officially suspended operations for the remainder of the season on March 20, 2020.
Standings
Schedule All times Eastern Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Score Record 1 Saturday February 8 2:00 p.m. ABC Seattle Dragons W 31–19 1–0 Audi Field 2 Saturday February 15 2:00 p.m. ABC New York Guardians W 27–0 2–0 Audi Field 3 Sunday February 23 6:00 p.m. FS1 at Los Angeles Wildcats L 9–39 2–1 Dignity Health Sports Park 4 Sunday March 1 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 at Tampa Bay Vipers L 0–25 2–2 Raymond James Stadium 5 Sunday March 8 3:00 p.m. FS1 St. Louis BattleHawks W 15–6 3–2 Audi Field 6 Sunday March 15 4:00 p.m. FS1 Dallas Renegades Not played Audi Field 7 Sunday March 22 6:00 p.m. FS1 at Houston Roughnecks TDECU Stadium 8 Saturday March 28 2:00 p.m. ABC Tampa Bay Vipers Audi Field 9 Saturday April 4 2:00 p.m. ABC at New York Guardians MetLife Stadium 10 Sunday April 12 2:00 p.m. ABC at St. Louis BattleHawks The Dome at America's Center
Final roster
Staff
Season summary During the first two weeks of the XFL season, the Defenders got off to a hot start, beating the Seattle Dragons in the first XFL game by a score of 31–19 at home, and dominating the New York Guardians at home 27–0. However, Cardale Jones and the Defenders got into a slump the next two weeks, falling to 2-2 and losing back to back games on the road; first to the Los Angeles Wildcats 39–9, and then to the Tampa Bay Vipers 25–0. The Defenders were able to rebound in week 5 thanks to Tyree Jackson, winning against the St. Louis Battlehawks at home 15-6 and improving their record to 3-2 before the XFL officially suspended operations 12 days later.
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Seattle Dragons
This was the first-ever XFL game, and the Defenders would have the first score (although Seattle had the first touchdown) and the first win of the XFL.
Week 2: vs. New York Guardians
In the fourth quarter, the Defenders tried for a three-point conversion, the first three-point attempt in the XFL.
Week 3: at Los Angeles Wildcats
Week 4: at Tampa Bay Vipers
Week 5: vs. St. Louis BattleHawks
References