Each successive stretch-run slate naturally carries more importance, and Week 8 sees seven of the eight teams in the league still alive for a postseason spot. With the stakes rising, it should be another interesting week of XFL betting.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our Week 8 XFL predictions and best bets.
Note: XFL lines are current as of Thursday, April 6, at 9 a.m. ET and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
XFL Week 8 Best Bet
Read more about this top XFL betting pick below.
Houston Roughnecks vs San Antonio Brahmas Odds & Best Bet
- Moneyline: Roughnecks (-205) • Brahmas (+175)
- Spread: Roughnecks -5 (-110) • Brahmas +5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 40.5 (-110) • Under 40.5 (-110)
Under 40.5 Total Points (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Roughnecks have dropped three straight games after winning the first nine in franchise history dating back to the start of the 2020 season. Houston has shown more vulnerability on defense as the caliber of offenses it’s faced has gotten tougher.
The Roughnecks’ trio of stumbles has come against the Sea Dragons, Defenders, and Battlehawks, which are now a combined 15-5. They won’t have any such challenge Sunday against a Brahmas team that just lost another quarterback in Kurt Benkert (IR-ribs).
Houston still leads the XFL with 23 sacks and nine interceptions and certainly has a chance to disrupt whoever is under center for San Antonio among Jawon Pass, Jack Coan, or even the just-acquired Paxton Lynch.
While the Roughnecks have plenty of upside on offense, Brandon Silvers (undisclosed), who’s likely to be listed as questionable, or Cole McDonald will face a stiff challenge from a Brahmas defense surrendering just 280.7 total yards per game.
Consequently, this is a game with a good chance of potentially being on the lower-scoring side, making the Under our XFL pick of the week.
Vegas Vipers vs St. Louis Battlehawks Odds & Best Bet
- Moneyline: Battlehawks (-305) • Vipers (+255)
- Spread: Battlehawks -7 (-110) • Vipers +7 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 46 (-110) • Under 46 (-110)
Over 46 Total Points (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Battlehawks are thriving on both sides of the ball. They’ve been especially impressive on offense, where a bevy of ex-NFL talents are leading the way.
Between A.J. McCarron, Brian Hill, Darrius Shepherd, and Hakeem Butler, the Battlehawks have had the luxury of running one of the league’s more balanced attacks. In a game against this same Vipers squad just two weeks ago at Cashman Field, St. Louis racked up 29 points on the strength of 328 total yards and six yards per play.
The ‘Hawks now average 23.3 points per game and are allowing a relatively modest 18.1 per contest.
However, the Vegas offense they’ll face off with in Week 8 could be markedly more effective. Jalan McClendon was stellar in his first start in Week 7, leading the Vipers to an impressive 26-point output against what had been a tough Brahmas defense.
The running threat McClendon poses could also be a bad matchup for a Battlehawks defense that has proven vulnerable against the run at times. That is due both to the yardage he can compile and because the threat he poses can certainly help clear running lanes for Rod Smith and John Lovett.
Given the factors cited, I’m in the camp of the Over.
Arlington Renegades vs Orlando Guardians Odds & Best Bet
- Moneyline: Guardians (-115) • Renegades (-105)
- Spread: Guardians -1.5 (-110) • Renegades +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 42.5 (-110) • Under 42.5 (-110)
Guardians Moneyline (-115) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Guardians are the talk of the league after a Week 7 upset of the previously undefeated Defenders. However, Orlando had arguably been building up to that noteworthy win with much better play in the previous two games as well.
With Quinten Dormady having a hand in six total touchdowns against D.C. and displaying excellent rapport with what’s developed into an impressive group of pass catchers, the Guardians come into this game brimming with confidence on offense.
Then, while Orlando did show some vulnerability to the XFL’s best back in Abram Smith in Week 7, the Guardians still have one of the league’s best run defenses. They now face a Renegades squad that has been better in its run blocking recently but struggled more often than not in that regard.
The likely debut of Luis Perez under center for Arlington could lead to a notable improvement for the Renegades’ air attack, but for this week, I see Orlando carrying over its recent momentum.
D.C. Defenders vs Seattle Sea Dragons Odds & Best Bet
- Moneyline: Sea Dragons (-130) • Defenders (+110)
- Spread: Sea Dragons -1.5 (-110) • Defenders +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 46.5 (-110) • Under 46.5 (-110)
Sea Dragons -1.5 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Sea Dragons are on a five-game roll, arguably making them the league’s hottest team at the moment. Seattle is getting it done on both sides of the ball and could present a particularly challenging matchup for the Defenders’ vulnerable secondary.
Seattle has what profiles as the deepest receiving corps in the league, which has helped the Dragons average a league-high 248.9 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Defenders are allowing an almost identical 248.3 passing yards per contest.
The Sea Dragons came close to upending D.C. at Audi Field back in Week 1, falling just short by a 22-18 score. This is now a much more cohesive team on both sides of the ball, and quarterback Ben DiNucci is playing with the level of confidence that comes with being the current XFL leader in passing yards (1,771).
The Defenders are still sitting atop the XFL Champion Odds, but their veil of invincibility has been pierced thanks to their loss to the Guardians in Week 7, a game in which they gave up 37 points.
With Seattle now also set to roll out one-time Pro Bowler Phillip Lindsay in what is already an impressive offense, I like the Sea Dragons to notch at least a narrow victory.
