XFL Week 3 Predictions and Betting Odds

Week 3 of the XFL opened up with three road favourites posted on the board at Sports Interaction. Only the St. Louis Battlehawks (home to the Guardians) are listed as home favourites for the week.

Houston Roughnecks (2-0) at Tampa Bay Vipers (0-2)

Odds: Houston Roughnecks (-6.5), Total 45

To break it down, it’s a battle of the league’s top offence against a weak defence. It has been a dismal start of the season for the Vipers. The first two weeks of the season saw the Vipers on the road in New York, then cross the country to play in Seattle. Both resulting in losses. In those two games, the Marc Trestman led Vipers have managed to score a league-low 12 points and only one touchdown. At the start of the season, Tampa Bay was listed as a top
favourite to win the XFL. Now, with only two weeks complete, they have used three different quarterbacks, and are a longshot at +800 to hoist the championship trophy.

Roughnecks quarterback PJ Walker leads the XFL’s most explosive offence going into Week 3. The Roughnecks have put up 65 points in two games and the former Indianapolis Colts’ practice roster pivot is third in the XFL in passing with 442 yards. His top receiver Cam Phillips has 130 yards receiving and caught three touchdowns last week in a win against the Battlehawks. It’s early but don’t be surprised to see Walker in an NFL camp for a tryout this summer. His former Head Coach at Temple Matt Rhule is the new Head Coach with the Carolina Panthers. It could be a connection.

Prediction: Roughnecks 31 Vipers 10

Dallas Renegades (1-1) at Seattle Dragons (1-1)

Odds: Dallas Renegades (-4.5), Total 44

Quarterback Landry Jones threw for 305 yards while completing 70 percent of his passes in Dallas’ 25-18 win in Los Angeles last weekend in his XFL debut. The Renegades missed their franchise player in week one with an injury, but under offensive co-ordinator Hal Mumme, expect the Dallas “air raid” offence under Jones to continue.

Running back Cameron Artis-Payne was a big factor for the Renegades in Week 2 racing for 131 yards from scrimmage. The Renegades are a decent futures bet at +600 to win the championship. The Dragons found their way into the win column last week, and will play their second consecutive game on home turf Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Brandon Silvers threw for just 91 yards in the win and there is some talk that Head Coach Jim Zorn could give backup BJ Daniels a look in this game if Silvers struggles early.

Prediction: Renegades 24 Dragons 17

New York Guardians (1-1) at St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1)

Odds: St. Louis Battlehawks (-10.5), Total 40.5

Battlehawks quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has been a threat every time he touches the ball. He’s currently second in passing with 493 yards and third in rushing with 109 yards. The Battlehawks have a strong ground game with Ta’amu and starting running back Matt Jones, who is number one in the entire XFL with 129 yards through two games.

Guardians quarterback Matt McGloin was dreadful in week two going 8-for-14 with 44 yards passing and ripped his coaching staff at halftime. He promptly found himself on the New York bench in the second half a lopsided 27-0 loss to the Defenders in week two. Expect a bounce back game from the former Oakland Raider. Of note, this game opened with a total of 41.5, the lowest of any game on the XFL schedule this weekend.

Prediction: Battlehawks 17 Guardians 14

DC Defenders (2-0) at Los Angeles Wildcats (0-2)

Odds: DC Defenders (-8.5) Total 43.5

Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones is one of the early favourites to win the XFL’s MVP award. Through two games, Jones leads the league in passing with 511 yards and seven touchdowns. The Defenders were massive on the defensive side of the ball recording the first shutout in league history in Week 2. DC recorded three sacks, six tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. The Defenders at +200 continue to be the favourites to hold up the XFL Championship trophy at season’s end.

Jones and Company will face the league’s worst defence in LA. The Wildcats have allowed an XFL high 62 points against and have already fired defensive co-ordinator Pepper Johnson after Week 1. Still winless this season, the Wildcats have to get it right soon or it could be a long season in the City of Angels.

Prediction: Defenders 27 Wildcats 17