I said I’d wait another week before calling the Orlando Guardians the worst team in the XFL. Well, after they were blitzed 30-12 by San Antonio we can make it official. The Guardians are the worst team in the XFL. Oddsmakers noticed as well setting them as a whopping 9.5-point dog for their Week 3 matchup with the 1-1 Arlington Renegades. We’re still trying to figure the league out but at least we have more data to process heading into Week 3. There have been a number of major comebacks with St. Louis doing it again, this time rallying to beat Seattle to improve to 2-0.
In the only battle of unbeatens, the Battlehawks will try their luck again this time against the DC Defenders with first place in the North Division at stake. It’s never too early to talk about division leads and playoffs since teams play only 10 games. Playing at home, the Defenders hit the board as a 2-point favorite. After giving up just six points last week, the Defenders boast the top scoring defense in the XFL. On the flip side one team will get its first victory when Seattle visits Vegas on Saturday to get the betting week started. For the third straight week the Sea Dragons are favored as they look for their first payout as well.
XFL Week 3 Schedule
Saturday, March 4
Seattle Sea Dragons (0-2) at Vegas Vipers (0-2), 7 p.m. ET (FX)
Opening Line: Seattle -3, O/U 38
Despite not having a win through two weeks the Sea Dragons have been impressive. If not for the turnovers there’s a good chance they’d be sitting with their record reversed. Unfortunately for Jim Haslett and his staff that’s an element of the game that oftentimes decides a winner. Three lost fumbles proved fatal giving Seattle six turnovers in two games. The bad news is that it happened the good news is that the pace is not sustainable. Ben DiNucci didn’t throw a pick or get sacked throwing for 196 yards and two scores helping Seattle build a 12-0 lead. His scoring pass late gave Seattle an 18-17 lead, but the defense faltered allowing a last second field goal. Vegas had no offense managing just 177 yards and 3.8 yards per play in their 18-6 loss to DC. And it doesn’t look like an improvement is in store.
Prediction: Seattle -3 / UNDER 38
Sunday, March 5
St. Louis Battlehawks (2-0) at DC Defenders (2-0), 1 p.m. ET (FX)
Opening Line: DC -2, O/U 37
If A.J. McCarron can play an entire game the way he plays the fourth quarter St. Louis could go unbeaten. Once again McCarron came through and his connection with Austin Proehl has been the best in the XFL. The two combined on the game winning score in Week 1 capping an improbable win and they had a key completion in the drive that led to the game-winning field goal last week. McCarron faces the league’s stingiest defense in Week 3 and there’s a real good chance he doesn’t pull off another miracle. DC allowed only 177 yards last week while rushing for 229 yards with Adam Smith, Jordan Ta’amu and Ryquell Armstead each rushing for more than 50. This game has UNDER written all over it and St. Louis can’t continue their late-game heroics.
Prediction: DC -2 / UNDER 37
Orlando Guardians (0-2) at Arlington Renegades (1-1), 4 p.m. ET (FX)
Opening Line: Arlington -9.5, O/U 37
There’s a reason why the opening spread for this matchup is hovering around double figures and it isn’t because Arlington is that good. In fact the Renegades were handled fairly easily in a 23-14 loss to Houston last week. Drew Plitt was 15 of 29 for 120 yards with two TDs and an interception but he was sacked five times and the ground game produced only 2.3 yards per carry. The spread obviously reflects the difficulties of Orlando on both sides of the football. At least their miscues last week with 13 penalties, a missed field goal and a blocked punt can be rectified, and while they are the worst team in the league it’s hard to pass up the points.
Prediction: Orlando +9.5 / UNDER 37
San Antonio Brahmas (1-1) at Houston Roughnecks (2-0), 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Opening Line: Houston -4.5, O/U 37
San Antonio overcame its heartbreaking Week 1 loss to pound Orlando behind a strong performance from Jack Coan, who became the first this season to throw three TD passes. Coan was 16 of 24 for 165 yards leading an efficient offense. The story was the defense holding Orlando to just 175 total yards. I think Houston is a better club than Orlando and the record proves it. Brandon Silvers threw two touchdown passes and the defense blanked Arlington in the second allowing for a 23-14 comeback victory.
Prediction: San Antonio +4.5 / OVER 40
