Week 1 XFL Betting Preview: Tailing and Fading Stars

• The Vegas Vipers possess more NFL-caliber talent than the Arlington Renegades, making the Vipers the best bet on the moneyline with +125 odds.
• Taking Paxton Lynch, Cody Latimer, and the other former NFL players on the Orlando Guardians to win with +125 odds over the Houston Roughnecks is a strong bet.
• With potentially the most dynamic offense in the XFL, taking the St. Louis BattleHawks to cover the spread versus the San Antonio Brahams is a good bet on the three-point spread (-110).
• Sportsbooks are likely overvaluing Josh Gordon’s presence, with bettors wise to take the DC Defenders (-110) over the Seattle Sea Dragons.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Odds on the first week of XFL football are up at legal sports betting sites, with near even odds on every game presenting an opportunity for players to get a leg up on sportsbooks as the league launches for the third time.

Vegas Vipers vs Arlington Renegades Betting Preview

Former NFL players and collegiate stars lead the way in the first game of the XFL season, with XFL betting sites listing the Arlington Renegades as three-point favorites over the Vegas Vipers.

Vegas Vipers vs Arlington Renegades Odds

Going through some of the notable players for each team suggests that sportsbooks may be overvaluing the home-field advantage for the Renegades, with the Viper’s possessing more top-level talent that makes betting on the Brett Hundley-led squad on the moneyline the best bet of the game.

The Viper’s top offensive weapons such as Brett Hundley, Geronimo Allison, and Martavis Bryant all have significant NFL experience on offense, while former NFL sack leader Vic Beasley is on defense.

Arlington has more former NFL depth on defense and special teams with Will Hill, Crevon Leblanc, and Marquette King, but they lack enough explosiveness on offense to be favored over the Vipers.

Orlando Guardians vs Houston Roughnecks Betting Preview

In another situation where sportsbooks have overvalued home-field advantage over the players or each team, taking the Orlando Guardians to cover or win outright over the Houston Roughnecks is the best bet for the Saturday Night XFL game.

Orlando Guardians vs Houston Roughnecks Odds

Orlando has former NFL and high-major collegiate players scattered throughout their roster, with the likes of Paxton Lynch, Cody Latimer, Terrance Smith, and Matt Elam all standing out.

Betting on that talent to win out over a Houston roster that features few standouts is the best bet for the Guardians vs the Roughnecks.

St. Louis BattleHawks vs San Antonio Brahmas Betting Preview

With A.J. McCarron piloting the St. Louis BattleHawks’ offense featuring former NFL players like Hakeem Butler, Marcell Ateman, and Bryan Hill, betting on the lone road-favorite of the Week One XFL slate to cover the spread versus the San Antonio Brahmas may be the best of the weekend at legal betting sites.

St. Louis BattleHawks vs San Antonio Brahmas Odds

That explosive offense will likely be too difficult for the Brahmas to keep up with, as their offense features no quarterback with NFL experience and their receiver room was ranked third worst in the entire league.

San Antonio does feature high-profile running backs like Kallen Ballage and Jaques Patrick, but the run game will not be enough versus the high-flying offense that the BattleHawks have.

Seattle Sea Dragons vs DC Defenders Betting Preview

The lone pick ’em game of the weekend, XFL sportsbooks have tabbed the Seattle Sea Dragons and DC Defenders matchup as likely the best game of the XFL’s first weekend.

Seattle Sea Dragons vs DC Defenders Odds

The Seattle Sea Dragons offense is highlighted by former NFL receiving yards leader Josh Gordon, with the 2013 All-Pro likely the reason that many sportsbooks have this game as a pick ’em.

Gordon failed to catch on with the wide receiver needy Tennessee Titans this season, which may now point to a diminished skillset.

Fading Josh Gordon and taking the DC Defenders to win is likely the best matchup for the last game of the XFL Week One slate.