After a rousing first weekend of action that saw three of the four games decided by four points or fewer, the XFL takes on the challenge of putting together a successful Week 2 encore.
The slate begins early with a Thursday night Battlehawks-Sea Dragons clash in Seattle and also features an intriguing in-state showdown between the undefeated Renegades and Roughnecks in Houston.
XFL lines are current as of Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. ET at Caesars Sportsbook unless otherwise noted.
XFL Week 2 Best Bet
Read more about this top XFL betting pick below.
Renegades vs Roughnecks Odds & Best Bet
- Moneyline: Roughnecks (-180) • Renegades (+152)
- Spread: Roughnecks -4 (-110) • Renegades +4 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 40 (-110) • Under 40 (-110)
Under 40 Total Points (-110) | Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
This intriguing intra-state rivalry is fittingly in primetime and enjoys main event status as the last game of the Week 2 ledger. After a week of play, the Renegades and Roughnecks share top billing in the XFL Champion Odds futures marketplace following impressive all-around season-opening efforts.
Defense played a prominent role in the success of both clubs, with Arlington picking off the Vipers’ Luis Perez twice and sacking him three times. Meanwhile, Houston’s blitz-happy, Wade Phillips-led crew took down Orlando quarterbacks seven times and snagged a trio of picks along the way.
Consequently, we could very well see plenty of truncated drives as each squad frustrates the other’s attempt to get downfield. The Roughnecks’ aggressive Air Raid/Run and Shoot hybrid of an offense did look effective under Brandon Silvers‘ stewardship in Week 1 and could ultimately help lead the hosts to a close win, but we’re backing the Under as our XFL pick of the week.
Battlehawks vs Sea Dragons Odds & Best Bet
- Moneyline: Sea Dragons (-155) • Battlehawks (+130)
- Spread: Sea Dragons -3 (-110) • Battlehawks +3 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 36.5 (-110) • Under 36.5 (-110)
Battlehawks +3 (-110) | Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The first short-week game in XFL 3.0 history will be an interesting study in players’ energy level and efficiency.
The visiting St. Louis Battlehawks will actually have a slight rest advantage, albeit by a few hours, over the Seattle Sea Dragons, which played Sunday night against the Defenders. The edge in overall coaching experience goes to Seattle’s Jim Haslett, especially in these types of scenarios, although he never has handled them on a regular basis as a head coach previously.
The Battlehawks defense did an outstanding job against the Brahmas overall in Week 1 and kept the team in the game long enough for A.J. McCarron and the St. Louis offense to author a miraculous comeback.
McCarron has more than enough experience at the NFL level to carry over his late-game momentum into this week, while St. Louis’ defense could give the less-tenured Ben DiNucci plenty of trouble, especially if it effectively neutralizes the ground attack.
Consequently, I like the visitors to keep this close, at minimum.
Defenders vs Vipers Odds & Best Bet
- Moneyline: Vipers (-150) • Defenders (+126)
- Spread: Vipers -3 (-110) • Defenders +3 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 36.5 (-110) • Under 36.5 (-110)
Under 36.5 Total Points (-110) | Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Gregg Williams‘ D.C. Defenders defense may prove to be the biggest rival to Phillips’ Houston Roughnecks crew in terms of aggressiveness. D.C. unsurprisingly brought the heat against the Sea Dragons in Week 1.
While that only resulted in two sacks of DiNucci, it also helped lead to two interceptions and a key last-second fumble that preserved the win.
As of this writing, the Defenders don’t yet know if they’ll face Perez or Brett Hundley, or a mix of both, at quarterback. However, either player, while solid, won’t be impervious to the pressure Williams is sure to send their way.
Vegas does have plenty of talented names on the offensive side of the ball, but a disruptive defense can make any offense perform under optimal levels.
The Vipers don’t appear to be any slouches on that side of the ball, either, considering they have the likes of Vic Beasley and La’Ron Stokes getting after the quarterback and were able to record three sacks and a pick on Arlington’s Drew Plitt. As such, a wager on the Under is a prudent way to go.
Brahmas vs Guardians Odds & Best Bet
- Moneyline: Brahmas (-160) • Guardians (+135)
- Spread: Brahmas -3 (-110) • Guardians +3 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 38.5 (-110) • Under 38.5 (-110)
Brahmas -3 (-110) | Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The San Antonio Brahmas could well unleash a heap of frustration on the Guardians after suffering a nearly inexplicable loss in Week 1. Oddsmakers seem to agree by making San Antonio a fairly solid favorite.
The Brahmas didn’t turn solid overall offensive play into points often enough versus the Battlehawks — they lost 18-15 — but quarterback Jack Coan, running back Kalen Ballage and receivers Landen Akers, Fred Brown and Jalen Tolliver all flashed plenty of upside.
San Antonio’s defense was also highly effective for the majority of the game until falling apart in the final minute-plus of regulation, getting five sacks on McCarron overall. With the Orlando Guardians potentially rolling out up to three quarterbacks Sunday, it could be quite the uphill battle for the Guardians offense to establish enough cohesiveness to keep up.
Given how the matchup shapes up, I’m in the camp of a Brahmas cover.
