With the NFL officially coming to an end, the door has been opened for the XFL to take center stage. While it remains to be seen if they’ll succeed or burst into flames like the American Alliance Football League, it should at least be fun while it lasts, right? Let’s take a look at the teams and some of the rules with the XFL. 

The rules

One of the things that’s needed for a second football league to thrive while the NFL is on hiatus is they need to be different. Two of the biggest changes in comparison to the NFL are the double-forward pass and overtime. 

Double-forward pass

In the NFL, you’re only allowed one forward pass. With the XFL, you’re allowed to throw a second forward pass as long as the pass doesn’t pass the line of scrimmage. This can lead to plenty of screens becoming a set-up for a deeper pass amongst other ideas. 

Overtime

The XFL’s overtime system couldn’t be any more different from the NFL’s. As opposed to the first team to score a field goal or touchdown wins in the NFL, the XFL immediately starts with one team having the ball at the opposing team’s five yard-line. Then the team who has the ball has just one play to score. The teams will alternate for five rounds and whoever leads after then wins. Each touchdown is worth two points in overtime. If one team scores three times then stops the other team on their three possessions, then the overtime period is over. If the game is tied after five rounds, then the overtime period goes until there is a winner. 

Pace of play

25-second play clock that starts after the ball gets spotted.

Two-minute warnings before the end of every half.

Inside two minutes, plays that end in the field of play will stop the clock then there will be a five-second runoff after the ball gets spotted. 

Outside of two minutes, a play out of bounds will lead to the clock being stopped until the ball gets spotted.

Two one-minute timeouts per half.

Officiating

No coaches’ challenges, challenges will come from the replay official.

If there is an obvious missed call inside the final five minutes of the game or during overtime, then the replay official is allowed to correct call.

The Teams

East

DC Defenders

Head Coach: Pep Hamilton

Notable players: Quarterback Cardale Jones, running back Donnel Pumphrey, safety Matt Elam

Season opener: Host the Seattle Dragons on February 8 at 2 p.m. EST.

New York Guardians

Head Coach: Kevin Gilbride

Notable players: Quarterback Matt McGloin, defensive lineman TJ Barnes, wide receiver Joe Horn Jr.

Season opener: Hosts the Tampa Bay Vipers on February 9 at 2 p.m. EST.

St. Louis Battlehawks

Head Coach: Jonathan Hayes

Notable players: quarterback Jordan Ta’Amu, running back Matt Jones, punter Marquette King.

Season opener: Go on the road to face the Dallas Renegades on Sunday, February 9, at 5 p.m. EST.

Tampa Bay Vipers

Head Coach: Marc Trestman

Notable players: Quarterback Aaron Murray, quarterback/running Back Quinton Flowers, running back De’Veon Smith.

Season opener: Goes on the road to face New York Guardians on February 9 at 2 p.m. EST.

West

Dallas Renegades

Head Coach: Bob Stoops

Notable players: Quarterback Landry Jones, running back Cameron Artis-Payne, defensive end Frank Alexander.

Season opener: Hosts the St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. EST.

Los Angeles Wildcats

Head Coach: Winston Moss

Notable players: Quarterback Josh Johnson, linebacker Anthony Johnson, kicker Nick Novak.

Season opener: On the road to play the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday, February 8, at 5 p.m. EST

Seattle Dragons

Head Coach: Jim Zorn

Notable players: Quarterback Brandon Silvers, defensive tackle Will Sutton, wide receiver Keenan Reynolds.

Season opener: Go on the road to play the DC Defenders on February 8 at 2 p.m.  EST.

Houston Roughnecks

Head Coach: June Jones

Notable players: Quarterback P.J Walker, linebacker Carl Bradford, wide receiver Sammie Coates

Season opener: Host the Los Angeles Wildcats on Saturday, February 8, at 5 p.m. EST.