XFL Week 2 Picks – See the Best Bets for All 4 Games
By Robert Duff in XFL
Updated: March 23, 2020 at 11:14 am EDTPublished:
- The XFL season continues with Week 2 this weekend with another four games
- Can the DC Defenders cover a 7-point spread at home in a battle of unbeatens against the New York Guardians?
- Get the odds and best bets for each game on the XFL Week 2 schedule below
As the XFL gets set to put the pads on for Week 2 of the season, at least there are now trends that can be analyzed prior to placing any wagers.
Small sample sizes to be sure, but samples nonetheless.
The advantage to the bettor from this data is that it’s also opened up more options in terms of wagering at the leading online sportsbooks. Week 1 betting lines only included point spread wagering early in the week. The second week of the campaign sees the full menu of betting options included on the menu already with moneylines, point spreads and totals.
Before delving into Week 2 odds, let’s look back at how Week 1 played out across the XFL.
Home field provided a significant edge during last weekend’s season openers. Home teams were 3-1 both straight up and against the spread. The Dallas Renegades were the only home favorite that lost. The New York Guardians beat the Tampa Bay Vipers outright as home underdogs.
The average total across the four XFL Week 1 games was 38.5 points.
Defenders Will Cover Growing Line
This game opened with DC as the 5.5-point chalk and has since increased to Defenders -7.
New York Guardians vs DC Defenders Odds
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
New York | +7 (-110) | +220 | O 47 (-110) |
DC | -7 (-110) | -305 | U 47 (-110) |
All odds taken Feb. 13.
Both clubs enjoyed Week 1 triumphs at home. The Defenders scored touchdowns via all three facets of the game – offense, defense and special teams – while beating the Seattle Dragons 31-19.
New York played a bend but don’t break defense. The Guardians allowed the Tampa Bay Vipers to compile 394 yards of total offense. But New York forced three turnovers and sacked Vipers quarterback Aaron Murray five times during a 23-3 victory.
They won’t be as opportunistic against DC QB Cardale Jones and the Defenders offense. Jones is more fleet afoot than Murray. If there’s pressure, he’s equipped to elude it.
The Guardians couldn’t move the ball against the Tampa Bay defense. QB Matt McGloin passed for just 182 yards and Darius Victor ran for 32 yards. The DC secondary is much deeper. It includes ex-NFLers Matt Elam, Rahim Moore and Shamarko Thomas.
Pick: DC Defenders -7
Expect Dragons to Slay Vipers
There’s plenty to dislike about the Vipers, beginning with those hideous lime green unis. Did Tampa Bay think they were getting an MLS franchise?
Tampa Bay scored a league-low three points in Week 1.
Tampa Bay Vipers vs Seattle Dragons Odds
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Tampa Bay Vipers | -1.5 (-110) | -150 | O 44 (-110) |
Seattle Dragons | +1.5 (-110) | +115 | U 44 (-110) |
Two weeks into their season, the Vipers already are faced with a quarterback controversy. Does head coach Marc Trestman come back with Murray, who was dreadful in Week 1? Or does he continue to roll with Quinton Flowers, who came in off the bench against the Guardians?
Future trivia question: Who scored the first TD in #XFL history?
Answer? Austin Proehl of the Seattle Dragons.
Proehl had 5 Rec TD in college at UNC, and is the son of former NFL WR Ricky Proehl, who was a member of the Rams team that won Super Bowl XXXIV.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 8, 2020
The Dragons have concerns of their own at QB. Brandon Silvers, who threw for three TDs, was shaken up during their loss to the Defenders. He’s questionable with an ankle injury.
BJ Daniels would go if Silvers can’t. But he’ll still have slot wide receiver Austin Proehl at his disposal. Proehl caught five balls for 88 yards and two touchdowns in the opener.
Take Seattle to win outright as a home underdog.
Pick: Seattle Dragons (+115)
Points Will Pile up in LA
Pepper Johnson will go down in history as the first coach to be fired in XFL history. The LA Wildcats defensive coordinator was handed his walking papers after they allowed 37 points to Houston in their season-opening loss. LA also released linebacker Anthony Johnson, who’d been the team’s defensive captain.
Dallas Renegades vs Los Angeles Wildcats Odds
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Dallas | -3.5 (-110) | -195 | O 48 (-110) |
LA | +3.5 (-110) | +145 | U 48 (-110) |
The Wildcats remain uncertain about the status of QB Josh Johnson, who missed the opener due to a thigh injury.
.@CoachBobStoops tells the media @LandryJones12 will start this Sunday when the Renegades take on the @XFLWildcats in LA #RaisingHell 🔥 #ForTheLoveOfFootball pic.twitter.com/gdnAf6hWq0
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) February 13, 2020
On the other side of the field, Renegades QB Landry Jones (knee) is a go after missing their Week 1 home loss to St Louis. The pairing of Jones in Dallas with Bob Stoops, his college coach in Oklahoma, should ignite fireworks.
Couple that with the defensive confusion in LA and this figures to be a high-scoring affair.
Pick: Over 48 points (-110)
BattleHawks an Underrated Squad
Houston Roughnecks QB PJ Walker was the story of Week 1. He passed for four TDs in his first pro start.
St. Louis Battlehawks vs Houston Roughnecks Odds
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
St. Louis | +8 (-110) | +250 | O 49 (-110) |
Houston | -8 (-110) | -360 | U 49 (-110) |
St Louis went into Dallas and pounded the ball on the ground, rushing for a league-high 191 yards. QB Jordan Ta’amu passed for 209 yards and ran for an additional 77.
Jordan Ta’amu is the exact type of QB you want to watch play. ELECTRIC and makes things happen out of nowhere. The Throwin Samoan @JTaamu10 is going to be a star for the @xfl2020
— YP (@YoungPageviews) February 10, 2020
The BattleHawks defense held the Renegades without a TD.
St Louis could prove to be a real value bet this season. Take the BattleHawks and the eight points.
Pick: St. Louis BattleHawks +8 (-110)
Sports Writer
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.