The symbol of the Northern Virginia Rampage is a silverback gorilla, but the way the team has been giving their opponents extra possessions, it may as well be a photo of Santa Claus.

During what has been a tumultuous season, it was expected that the team would be able to show a balance on both sides of the ball after a week off following a forfeit by the Maryland Chaos. On Saturday in Dumfries, they looked to exact a measure of revenge against the Virginia Beach Cyclones, whom they lost to 35-9 earlier this season. However, as has been the case, the defense looked to set a tone, only for the offense to revert to Saint Nick by gifting the Cyclones the ball on their first offensive play. A designed run was fumbled and returned for a 45-yard touchdown, and from there the rout was on.

Although the defense continued to display its usual ferocity, sacking the Cyclones four times, and even blocking a few extra points, they weren’t helped by both the offense and special teams. After giving up a field goal, the Rampage fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving the Cyclones a short field and four plays later, they ran it in for a touchdown. Next possession, in what has been a symbolism of their inept passing game, the ball was woefully under thrown. Instead of it being caught by a wide-open receiver, it went into the hands of the safety as the Cyclones 3-yard line.

The second half didn’t produce much fruit either, as an attempted screen pass was picked off and returned 64 yards for a touchdown, almost as if they knew exactly what play was called in the huddle. The Cyclones last score came on a 41-yard wheel route and the game ended shortly thereafter.

Next week the Rampage go on the road, and perhaps then they will realize that the best gifts aren’t always meant to be shared, especially when it’s the football.