Red Devils Begin Season with Statement Win Over Former Rival USMC
Written by Felix Montague (El Paso Red Devils Beat Reporter)
In a clash of former division rivals, the Los Angeles USMC and El Paso Red Devils faced off in what was expected to be one of the more competitive matchups of Week 1. Both teams came into the 2024 season looking to make a statement, but it was the Red Devils who emerged victorious, securing a dominant 143.6-123.5 win.
The Red Devils, eager to put recent seasons of mediocrity behind them, came out firing on all cylinders. Quarterback Jordan Love proved his worth, putting up 18.5 fantasy points, while wide receiver DeVonta Smith added 15.4 points, helping El Paso jump out to an early lead. Their consistent scoring across the board was one of the highlights of the matchup, with every player contributing.
Running backs Kyren Williams and Rachaad White could prove to be one of the best backfield tandems in the league this season, each offering solid fantasy production. The Red Devils’ wide receiver duo of CeeDee Lamb and Mike Evans also impressed, providing a well-rounded offensive attack that set the tone for the game. With a total of 143.6 points, the Red Devils are on a mission to silence their doubters and prove they belong among the NAFC elite in 2024.
However, not all news was positive for the Red Devils, as quarterback Jordan Love sustained an injury in the win. How El Paso adapts to his absence in Week 2 will be crucial as they look to build on their strong start.
The Los Angeles USMC, last season’s highest-scoring team, put up a fight with a strong performance from quarterback Lamar Jackson, who scored 30.2 points in the Thursday night opener. Running back Joe Mixon also had a standout performance, adding 34.8 points to keep the Marines in contention.
Despite these bright spots, the USMC offense struggled to find consistency. First-round pick Amon-Ra St. Brown, expected to be a key contributor, had one of the worst games of his career, managing just 4.3 points. It’s clear the Marines can’t rely solely on Lamar Jackson to carry the team week after week if they want to contend for the NAFC crown.
Looking ahead, the Red Devils will face off against the Anchorage Commandos in what’s being dubbed the NAFC Matchup of the Week, while the USMC will host the talent-packed Albuquerque Roadrunners. Both teams have a lot to prove, and Week 2 will be a pivotal test for their playoff aspirations.
