Week 2 Betting Preview: XFL Bets To Take

• Week 1 of the XFL finished last Sunday and showed many storylines to follow throughout the season.
• With the league still in its infancy, early lines may reveal values for each team.
• The Houston Roughnecks are the most favored team on the week with a money line at -175 odds.

SEATTLE – Week 2 of the XFL season kicks off between the St. Louis BattleHawks (1-0) and the Seattle Sea Dragons (0-1) on Thursday night. Week 1 of the season saw the BattleHawks pull off a phenomenal comeback down 12 points with just a little over three minutes remaining against the San Antonio Brahmas.

Spearheaded by former NFL players and experimental rules, the XFL appears to be poised to emerge as a prime betting league. As such, legal betting sites have published the money line, spread, and total for each game on the slate.

Week 2 XFL Odds

STL (1-0) @ SEA (0-1)

Week 1 saw the BattleHawks pull off an improbable comeback against the Brahmas that featured many new and exciting XFL rules like the three-point conversion after a touchdown and the fourth and 15 conversion to keep possession in place of an onside kick.

Meanwhile, the Sea Dragons led by former NFL players Josh Gordon and Ben DiNucci narrowly lost to the Defenders after three costly turnovers down the stretch by DiNucci sealed their fate including a fumble on the one yard line to end the game.

Overall, these two teams appear to be strong offenses as well as capable defenses, though it is odd to see the BattleHawks being underdogs after the miraculous comeback they managed last game. As such, the -105 odds for them to cover the 2.5-point spread appears to be the best line available so far.

• Pick for this game: STL +2.5 (-105)

DC (1-0) @ VGS (0-1)

The Defenders were on the winning side of their matchup against the Sea Dragons in week 1 led by former Ole Miss Rebel Jordan Ta’Amu as well as their strong defense that forced three turnovers on DiNucci.

On the other hand, the Vipers came out dominant finishing the first half up 14-3 on the Arlington Renegades before two costly pick-sixes, two field goals allowed and a failed game-tying conversion had them come up short 22-20. The Vipers defense notably gave up no touchdowns to the Renegades.

Both teams feel like strong defensive units that can generate a lot of turnovers and may lead to a much more gritty, low-scoring game where whichever defense can get in the best positioning for their offense will win.

1As such, the -110 odds for under 37.0 total points presents a nice value.

• Pick for this game: Total U37.0 (-110)

SA (0-1) @ ORL (0-1)

The Brahmas come into this game off the back of a crushing loss where the BattleHawks scored 15 unanswered points in the last three minutes of the game to hand San Antonio an 18-15 defeat. However, a bright spot for the Brahmas was definitely their defense that put together five sacks along with former NFL RB Kalen Ballage rumbling for 84 yards on the ground.

Conversely, the Guardians were quite terrible in their first game, scoring a league-low 12 total points and benching starter Paxton Lynch after a third quarter interception. Aside from a 51-yard touchdown there were few bright spots on the Guardians’ team and they are shaping up to be the worst team in the XFL through the first week.

Because of all of this, the Brahmas, despite being heavily favored, are likely a safe bet at -160 odds for the money line or a more attractive -110 odds for them to cover a three-point spread. With the combo of Ballage and a stifling pass rush, the Brahmas offer value as a great betting pick.

• Pick for this game: Brahmas -3.0 (-110)

ARL (1-0) @ HOU (1-0)

The Arlington Renegades started off their season with a great come-from-behind victory led chiefly by their turnover-forcing defense that scored their only two touchdowns of the game. Their offense was however a weak spot, throwing one interception and almost losing two fumbles. As the biggest underdogs of the slate set by online sportsbooks, the Renegades will have their hands full against the powerful Houston offense and defense.

The Roughnecks come off an explosive first game where they proceeded to demolish the Guardians 33-12. Despite throwing two interceptions, the Roughnecks scored four offensive touchdowns and paired that with a defensive performance of seven sacks along with three interceptions. Seemingly the most complete team in the XFL after week one, the Roughnecks are ready to continue their onslaught against the lowly Renegades offense.

This all then makes -4.0 spread an attractive betting option at just -110 odds. The money line is of course worth considering but does hold very high -175 odds that are not as profit-friendly. With the highest total of any game at 40.0, the two strong defenses may lend some credibility for the under, though with 33 points last week coming from Houston alone, it is a risky proposition.

• Pick for this game: HOU -4.0 (-110)