| Team: | DC Defenders |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Previous: | 2020 |
| Record: | 9–1 |
| Division Place: | 1st XFL North |
| Coach: | Reggie Barlow |
| General Manager: | Reggie Barlow |
| Owner: | Alpha Acquico, LLC |
| Stadium: | Audi Field |
| Playoffs: | Won Division Finals (vs. Seattle Sea Dragons) 37–21 Lost XFL Championship (vs. Arlington Renegades) 26–35 |
The 2023 DC Defenders season was the second season for the DC Defenders as a professional American football franchise. The Defenders played their home games at Audi Field and were led by head coach Reggie Barlow.
At the first home game security staff prevented fans building the "Beer Snake", a signature feature from the 2020 season, and fans started throwing lemons on the field. The league made the proper arrangements for the "Beer Snake" to be allowed during Defenders home games.[1] [2]
Earning their first playoff berth and clinching first place in the North Division, the Defenders eliminated the Seattle Sea Dragons in the North Division title game in the playoffs. With the win, the Defenders advanced to the XFL Championship Game where they faced the Arlington Renegades, losing by a score of 26-35.[3] [4]
See main article: 2020 DC Defenders season.
The 2020 season was the inaugural season for the DC Defenders as a professional club. They were playing as charter members of the rebooted XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 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.[5] The Defenders finished the season with a 3–2 record.
All times Eastern
| Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | TV | Opponent | Results | Location | Attendance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Record | |||||||||
| 1 | Sunday | February 19 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN | Seattle Sea Dragons | 22–18 | 1–0 | Audi Field | 12,438 | |
| 2 | Saturday | February 25 | 7:00 p.m. | FX | at Vegas Vipers | 18–6 | 2–0 | Cashman Field | 6,023 | |
| 3 | Sunday | March 5 | 1:00 p.m. | FX | St. Louis BattleHawks | 34–28 | 3–0 | Audi Field | 16,212 | |
| 4 | Sunday | March 12 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN2 | Vegas Vipers | 32–18 | 4–0 | Audi Field | 11,521 | |
| 5 | Saturday | March 18 | 7:00 p.m. | FX | at St. Louis BattleHawks | 28–20 | 5–0 | The Dome at America's Center | 35,868 | |
| 6 | Monday | March 27 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN2 | Houston Roughnecks | 37–26 | 6–0 | Audi Field | 12,492 | |
| 7 | Saturday | April 1 | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN | at Orlando Guardians | 36–37 | 6–1 | Camping World Stadium | 7,011 | |
| 8 | Sunday | April 9 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN2 | at Seattle Sea Dragons | 34–33 | 7–1 | Lumen Field | 11,874 | |
| 9 | Sunday | April 16 | 12:00 p.m. | ESPN | Arlington Renegades | 28–26 | 8–1 | Audi Field | 18,684 | |
| 10 | Saturday | April 22 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC | at San Antonio Brahmas | 29–28 | 9–1 | Alamodome | 12,129 | |
| Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | TV | Opponent | Results | Location | Attendance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Record | |||||||||
| Division Finals | Sunday | April 30 | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN | Seattle Sea Dragons | 37–21 | 1–0 | Audi Field | 18,684 | |
| Saturday | May 13 | 8:00 p.m. | 26–35 | 1–1 | Alamodome | 22,754 | ||||
See main article: article and 2023 XFL Championship Game.