Media by Associated Press – Dallas Renegades quarterback Philip Nelson (9) during an XFL football game against the St. Louis Battlehawks, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. St. Louis won 15-9. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
The XFL is quickly nearing the halfway point of its third iteration. What the teams are finding out now is what they do well and how they need to adjust as the division races tighten up. While it’s not quite a time to panic, for the two teams off to 0-3 starts, there is an increasing desperation to find a way to get into the win column.
Here’s a look at what to bet on this weekend.
Houston Roughnecks (-8.5) at Orlando Guardians
The Guardians may have played their best game of the season in Week 3 but still fell short in a 10-9 loss to Arlington. Where Orlando has suffered is on offense, only putting up 33 points during its 0-3 start. The Guardians’ passing attack has produced only 491 yards and given the ball four times on an interception.
Houston’s secondary hasn’t allowed their opponents to have an easy passage through the air. The Roughnecks have intercepted five passes so far this season. With Houston’s offense also producing a league-high 78 points, the Roughnecks have been able to put pressure on their opponents to keep up. Houston will move to 4-0 with an easy road win.
San Antonio Brahmas (+4.5) at Seattle Sea Dragons
The Sea Dragons have been one of the more snake-bitten franchises during this run of the XFL. Seattle started the season 0-2 after blowing leads against D.C. and St. Louis. The Sea Dragons nearly saw the same thing happen last week against Vegas until Ben DiNucci completed a miraculous long touchdown pass to Josh Gordon to steal a win.
The Brahmas have had their share of disappointments this season. San Antonio blew a 12-point lead in the final three minutes to lose to St. Louis in the season opener. The Brahmas played well against Houston last week, hanging tough in a 22-13 defeat to Houston. San Antonio may not beat Seattle but will take advantage of the Dragons’ mistakes to keep it close.
Arlington Renegades at St. Louis BattleHawks over 36.5
Arlington has found its success on defense this season. The Renegades are second in the league in scoring defense, only allowing 17.3 points per game. Things haven’t been pretty for Arlington on offense, either.
The Renegades are last in the league in yards per game, rushing yards per game, and passing yards per game. St. Louis is mostly middle of the pack on offense but is weak on defense. The BattleHawks are seventh in yards allowed per game and rushing yards per game. This is a game where it will go narrowly over the total.
Vegas Vipers (+6.5) at D.C. Defenders
Vegas has struggled to close games after halftime. The Vipers shut out D.C. in the first half of the first meeting before losing 18-6. Vegas is due to have some luck flip back in its favor. The Vipers will keep this one within a touchdown.
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