It was an exciting opening week of XFL action with close games, dramatic comebacks and inspired play. And now that we have a game in hand maybe we can get a better read on the teams. As expected there was some sloppy play with numerous turnovers and pick-sixes. The Arlington Renegades had a pair of interceptions returned for scores to overcome Vegas, 22-20, in the opener. The teams pushed the line with Arlington laying 2-points. Houston looked like the class of the league downing Orlando 33-12. Former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach Wade Phillips had his team flying recording seven sacks and sending former NFL first-round pick Paxton Lynch to the bench.
Using different rules than what we see in the NFL allowed St. Louis to post an incredible comeback win. Trailing 15-3 with three minutes left in the fourth quarter, A.J. McCarron tossed a scoring pass and converted the 3-point conversion with a dart to Austin Proehl. In place of an onside kick, St. Louis converted a fourth-and-15 to retain possession on another McCarron-to-Proehl connection. The two combined on the game-winning TD pass with 16 seconds left for the improbable victory. The Battlehawks travel to Seattle for a Thursday night matchup to open Week 2 catching 3-points on the opening line.
XFL Week 2 Schedule
Thursday, February 23
St. Louis Battlehawks at Seattle Sea Dragons, 9 p.m. ET (FX)
Opening Line: Seattle -3, O/U 36.5
Seattle did everything but beat DC last week. The Sea Dragons showed off the June Jones run and shoot amassing 331 total yards while running 21 more plays than DC. The defense also held the Defenders to 177 yards, but three Ben DiNucci turnovers, including a pick-six, eventually cost Seattle. With two of the more seasoned QBs in the league in McCarron and DiNucci going against each other you almost expect the teams to exceed the low total of 36.5. Both QBs showed flashes of sharp play and I expect that to get even better as the season moves along. And if Seattle cuts back on the miscues they can be good.
Prediction: Seattle -3 / OVER 36.5
Saturday, February 25
DC Defenders at Vegas Vipers, 7 p.m. ET (FX)
Opening Line: Vegas -3, O/U 36.5
The Defenders were lucky to get a win last week after getting outplayed for most of the game. The defense came up large forcing three turnovers with one resulting in a score and another setting up a short D’Eriq King scoring run. DC can’t count on opponents being so philanthropic all the time and unless King and Jordan Ta’amu start playing like professional QBs DC will have a difficult time. Vegas played a strong first half before faltering against Arlington. It should’ve been a better outcome for Vegas after taking a 14-3 lead. Two second half pick sixes thrown by Luis Perez interrupted what otherwise was a strong performance.
Prediction: Vegas -3 / UNDER 36.5
Sunday, February 26
San Antonio Brahmas at Orlando Renegades, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Opening Line: San Antonio -3, O/U 37
I’ll wait another week before calling Orlando the worst team in the XFL. They certainly were the worst in Week 1 getting blown out 33-12 by Houston. Paxton Lynch led an opening drive touchdown but was shut down the rest of the game and eventually benched. The line allowed seven sacks and Orlando committed four turnovers. You won’t win many games playing like that. We’ll see if San Antonio can regroup after a crushing Week 1 loss giving up 15 points in the final three minutes to St. Louis.
Prediction: Orlando +3 / OVER 37
Arlington Renegades at Houston Roughnecks, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Opening Line: Houston -4, O/U 40
If I’m going to wait on Orlando then I also have to wait before calling Houston the best team. We need a larger sample size, but the Roughnecks were impressive getting four sacks from Trent Harris and seven total while intercepting three passes and forcing four turnovers. They also displayed a balanced offense with Brandon Silvers throwing for 272 yards and Max Borghi running for 42 of the teams 81 yards. The Renegades also came up large on D with a pair of pick-sixes to offset a sluggish offense. Teams that shined on defense give me a reason to back the under.
Prediction: Arlington +4 / UNDER 40
