IT IS HERE! FINALLY! Football is back! Whew, that was a long, tough wait, but fear not football fans, it’s back!
Now, normally, we have a guy for this type of stuff, but it seems that Kyle’s Money Shot has run dry so I’m here for your complete betting guide to the first week of the XFL along with my predictions. In case you forgot or you’re new here, we had a vote on which team to cover. You voted and we listened! We are die hard fans (and reporters) for the St. Louis BattleHawks. I’ll try to keep my bias out of my predictions, here.
Here are the lines for this weekends games:
Seattle Dragons 49.5
DC Defenders -8
Los Angeles Wildcats 50.5
Houston Roughnecks -6.5
Tampa Bay Vipers 51.5
New York Guardians +3
St. Louis BattleHawks 51.5
Dallas Renegades -9.5
First, let me say how interesting it is that our favorite team is the absolute largest underdog of the week. Going back to the AAF, the team I chose was the dog shit worst so this is just great.
I’m going to do something crazy and put $10 on each bet, so that’s $80 on the line this weekend. For all money I win, we will do something fun for the podcast. For all money I lose, you better freaking enjoy this blog!
It’s a little crazy to try to predict week 1 of anything, let alone a BRAND NEW league*. However, the crazy scoring rules in the XFL make it even more bizarre. One point extra points, two point extra points, three point extra points, weird kickoffs, WHAT WILL HAPPEN?!
*we all want to forget XFL 1.0
Seattle Dragons @ DC Defenders
Seattle has the longest odds to win the XFL Championship, which could mean one of two things. Either a.) they suck or b.) they have nothing to lose and are going to surprise a lot of people. Cardele Jones is starting at QB for DC and they are said to have a high powered offense. DC also has RB Donnel Pumphrey, who is the all time leading rusher in the FBS with 6,405 rushing yards in 4 seasons at San Diego State. That, along with Cardele, is too much firepower for the Dragons to keep up. I’m going with the Defenders -8 and I’m going to go under 49.5.
Los Angeles Wildcats @ Houston Roughnecks
WIldcats QB (and former Bengal), Josh Johnson is listed as questionable and is unlikely to play in Week 1. Due to Johnson’s injury, Jalan McClendon, a dual-threat quarterback from Baylor, is reportedly getting the start even though he’s listed behind Chad Kanoff on the team’s official depth chart. Houston was favored by 4 prior to Johnson’s injury and now the line is at 6.5 so there have been a ton of bets coming in on Houston. Somehow Connor Cook is listed as the backup QB for Houston, so I’m not sure there – but I think that Houston has enough talent to win by at least a touchdown. I’m taking Houston -6.5 and I’m, again, going under.
Tampa Bay Vipers @ New York Guardians
The NY Guardians are the only home dogs this weekend and that doesn’t bode well for New York getting a good football team. However, this should be the best game of the weekend with both teams hoping to have a solid showing. Both teams are playing in cities where the original XFL also had teams. Tampa Bay is coached by Marc Trestman and New York has Kevin Gilbride – both with a little bit to prove. Aaron Murray, former Georgia QB, should start for the Vipers and Matt McGloin is the presumed started for the Guardians. I honestly think this is going to be a 3 point game. The Vipers have the better talent but I have zero faith in Trestman. I’m going with the Guardians +3. I’m also going under here because Marc Trestman.
St. Louis BattleHawks @ Dallas Renegades
Finally, capping off the weekend, we get the St. Louis BattleHawks versus the Dallas Renegades. St. Louis head coach Jonathan Hayes was the TE coach for the Bengals between 2003-2018. St. Louis by a million. And on the other side….oh, shit. Bob Stoops. There’s seriously a ton of talent in the game. Cameron Artis-Payne for the Renegades and Cristine MIchael for the BattleHawks. I can’t imagine this being a 10 point game. I’m going St. Louis with the points. I also think this one will have some points, so I’ll go over. Have to do it somewhere, right?
There you have it. That’s week 1! I need to go 5-3 to make some money…will it happen?! 8-0 and drinks are on me next week. Let us know your thoughts on week 1 of the XFL!