DC Defenders vs Los Angeles Wildcats Odds, Picks, and Predictions
- The 2-0 Defenders are eight-point road favorites at Los Angeles against the 0-2 Wildcats this Sunda (Feb. 23)
- Will DC be able to continue its winning ways during the first road game in franchise history?
- Find out whether the Wildcats can pull off an upset in Week 3 XFL action
Two weeks into the XFL season, the DC Defenders are one of two unbeaten teams left in the league. The Los Angeles Wildcats are one of two remaining winless teams. Often, numbers can lie. In this case, the digits are telling the truth. DC has proven to be that good. LA is actually that bad.
The Defenders own an XFL-best plus-four touchdown ratio. The Wildcats and the Tampa Bay Vipers, the league’s other 0-2 franchise, share an XFL-worst minus-four TD ratio.
After two solid home victories, the Defenders will defend their unbeaten mark on the road for the first time. Sportsbooks expect DC to be very successful at it.
The sportsbook has established the Defenders as eight-point road favorites this Sunday (Feb. 23rd, 6:00 PM ET) in the XFL Week 3 odds.
DC Defenders vs Los Angeles Wildcats Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | -8 (-115) | -385 | O 44 (-110) |
| Los Angeles | +8 (-105) | +270 | U 44 (-110) |
Odds taken Feb. 20th.
DC is 2-0 against the spread this season. LA is 0-2 ATS.
DC Has Caught On
Last week, DC posted the first shutout in XFL history. They whipped the New York Guardians 27-0 at home.
Quarterback Cardale Jones has passed for a league-high 511 yards. Receiver Rashad Ross is second in the XFL with 147 yards on just six catches. That’s an eye-popping 24.5 yards per reception.
With only 7 targets….. Not 24….. just saying 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/KDAcZA4UVo
— Rashad Ross (@RocketRoss_19) February 19, 2020
Right behind him, Eli Rogers has caught 11 balls for 122 yards, or 11.09 YPC. DeAndre Thompkins played against the Guardians after missing Week 1 through injury. He pulled in a team-high 67 receiving yards.
DC has scored a league-leading 58 points.
Defenders Living Up To Handle
You can’t call yourself the Defenders if you don’t intend to defend, and DC is most certainly defending with a vengeance.
Take under consideration this array of numbers from the rout of the Guardians: four quarterback sacks, four QB hits, 10 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Start spreading the news.
This defense is legit. pic.twitter.com/A1IlCD1bzc
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) February 16, 2020
Anthony Johnson, picked up last week in a trade with LA, accounted for 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss in his DC debut.
While allowing a league-low 19 points, DC has accumulated three defensive or special teams TDs in two games. The rest of the XFL has combined for one DST touchdown.
Sprucing Up Wildcats
If LA is to make a game of this, the key for them could be the Josh Johnson to Nelson Spruce connection. Johnson, a former NFL starting QB in Tampa Bay and Washington, made his XFL debut last week after missing Week 1 with a leg injury. He displayed signs of developing a strong vertical passing game.
NELSON SPRUCE HAS ARRIVED
📺 @ABCNetwork
🖥 https://t.co/VnLoVQs1xm pic.twitter.com/Pk3Zu6nyjw— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 16, 2020
Spruce leads XFL’s receivers in terms of catches with 17 and yards with 192. But he’s averaging just 1.4 yards after catch. That points to him being more of a possession receiver than a deep threat.
DC has held opposing QBs to a league-low 54.1 passer rating. But it should also be noted that the Defenders have faced New York and Tampa Bay, two of three XFL teams that are completing fewer than 50% of their passes.
DC In No Rush
If there’s a concern for the Defenders through two weeks, it’s the running game. DC suits up Jhurell Pressley, who was the AAF’s leading rusher. They’ve also got Donnell Pumphrey, the NCAA Division I all-time leading rusher.
Running the ball wasn’t supposed to be a problem. Yet it’s proving to be an issue.
Donnell Pumphrey bounced back from a lackluster debut to turn 12 carries into 52 yards and catch 3 of his 5 targets for an additional 26 yards to lead all rushers in DK points on Saturday.
graphic cred: @williamrenken83 pic.twitter.com/x8fnHSi5Ru
— XFL Fantasy Central 🏈 (@XFLFantasyCast) February 16, 2020
Pressley leads the team with 63 yards on 23 carries, a dismal 2.3 average. Pumphrey showed signs of life against the Guardians, gaining 52 yards on 12 carries.
DC Wins But Will Defenders Cover?
The Wildcats improved from Week 1 to Week 2. However, DC went from good to dominating over the same span of time.
Defenders vs Wildcats Stats
| 2-0 | Straight Up | 0-2 |
| 2-0 | Against the Spread | 0-2 |
| 0-2 | Over/Under | 1-1 |
| 339.5 | Total Offense | 271 |
| 88 | Rushing Offense | 76 |
| 251.5 | Passing Offense | 195 |
| 223.5 | Total Defense | 379.5 |
| 84 | Rushing Defense | 102 |
| 139.5 | Passing Defense | 277.5 |
| +3 | Takeaways | +1 |
Both Johnson and Ross, who was also discarded by LA, come to town with chips on their shoulders. The LA defense won’t be able to contain Jones and the DC offense. But the Wildcats might score enough points to make this one interesting.
Pick: Los Angeles Wildcats +8 (-105)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
