PFF: XFL Week 1 report card

Pro Football Focus breaks down the first week of action in the XFL:

Passing grades

Pro Football Focus slates DC Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones as the highest rated quarterback in the XFL following Week 1 with a 92.2 rating. Jones was 16-26 for 235 yards while throwing for 2 TDs in the Defenders' 31-19 win over the Seattle Dragons. Phillip Walker, who threw for 272 yards and 4 TDs for the Houston Roughnecks, was 5th in PFF's rankings. 

Offensive team grades

As advertised, the league saw an incredible amount of parity in the offensive production in Week 1, as all four of the top-performing teams were within 1.2 of each other.

The BattleHawks, led by Jordan Ta'amu's 209 yards passing and 77 yards rushing, led the way with a grade of 69.6. The Roughnecks, who lead the XFL in offensive touchdowns (4), came in second with a grade of 68.8.

Defensive team grades

The Roughnecks defense was impressive, scoring a 75.4 from Pro Football Focus. Houston held the Wildcats offense to just three third-down conversions throughout the whole game, while also causing three turnovers.

The Wildcats stand as the lone team who lost in Week 1 to be featured in the top four in defensive team grades, scoring a 61.7.

Team notes

Pro Football Focus also highlights five big takeaways for each of the eight XFL teams.

• OT Willie Beavers tied for the most tackle pass blocking snaps played (45) without giving up a pressure this week.
• OG Salesi Uhatafe played the most guard pass blocking snaps (48) without giving up a pressure this week.
• DE Gelen Robinson tied for the most run stops (4) of any XFL player this week.
• LB Reshard Cliett made 3 tackles of no gain, leading the XFL.
• Dallas’ offensive line led the XFL with 2.4 yards before contact per rush attempt.

• QB Cardale Jones led the XFL (minimum 10 attempts) in adjusted completion percentage with 87.5%.
• RB Jhurell Pressley forced the second-most missed tackles (5) as a runner this week.
• TE Khari Lee led the XFL tight ends in yards per route run (minimum 10 attempts) with 2.05 this week.
• WR Eli Rogers tied the XFL lead in explosive receptions (3) this week.
• LB Jonathan Massaquoi tied for the most pass stops (3) in the XFL.

• OT Terry Poole tied for the most tackle pass blocking snaps played (45) without giving up a pressure this week.
• WR Sam Mobley finished with the most yards per route run (minimum 10 routes) in the XFL this week with3.00.
• WR Cam Phillips was one of two receivers to make multiple contested catches (2) this week.
• LB Kaelin Burnett, LB LaTroy Lewis, DL Gabe Wright and ED Kony Ealy were 4 of the 5 XFL players to record 5 pressures in Week 1.
• CB Jeremiah Johnson played the most coverage snaps (54) without giving up a yard in the XFL.

• RB Elijah Hood forced the second-most missed tackles (5) as a runner this week.
• WR Nelson Spruce was one of two receivers to make multiple contested catches (2) this week.
• DE Shawn Oakman finished second in the XFL in quarterback hits this week with 2.
• CB Jaylen Dunlap played the most press corner snaps (33) of anyone in Week 1.
• CB Harlan Miller tied for the most forced incompletions (3) in the XFL.

• QB Matt McGloin led the XFL (minimum 10 attempts) with an average depth of target of 12.5 yards.
• RB Darius Victor led the XFL running backs in yards per route run (minimum 10 routes) with 2.08 this week.
• CB Jamar Summers played the second-most coverage snaps (43) for a cornerback without giving up a first down.
• WR Colby Pearson led the XFL in average depth of target (minimum 3 targets) with a 26.8 yard average this week.
• New York finished second in the XFL defensively with 20 pressures recorded in Week 1.

• OC Brian Folkerts played the most center pass blocking snaps (34) without giving up a pressure this week.
• WR De’Mornay Pierson-El finished with the most yards after catch (68) this week.
• St. Louis led XFL offenses with just 7 total pressures allowed.
• St. Louis allowed the fewest explosive completions defensively with just 1.
• WR L’Damian Washington played the most snaps (74) without a negatively graded play.

• DE Marcell Frazier finished second on the week in pressure percentage (36.4%) among players with 10 or more pass-rushing attempts.
• DT Will Sutton tied for the most total pressures by an interior defensive lineman this week with 5.
• LB Steven Johnson led XFL linebackers with 4 run stops this week.
• Seattle led XFL defenses with just 2.0 yards after contact allowed per rush attempt.
• Seattle pressured quarterbacks on 48.5% of dropbacks, the second-best defensive number in the XFL.

• RB De’Veon Smith had the most yards after contact (68) as a rusher this week.
• WR Daniel Williams finished with the second-most yards per route run (minimum 10 routes) with 2.86 this week.
• Tampa Bay’s backfield led the XFL with 3.5 yards after contact per rush attempt.
• Tampa Bay hurried quarterbacks on 36.4% of dropbacks, the second-best defensive number in the XFL.
• CB Anthoula Kelly tied for the most forced incompletions (3) in the XFL.