(Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Saturday Afternoon Game
(0-0) Vegas Vipers at (0-0) Arlington Renegades
(Renegades by 3.5 – 36 O/U) Both squads didn’t fair well in their respective draft and added free agents. Vegas has a few skilled players that can possibly keep this game interesting, but they went with age over younger skilled talents on both sides of the ball. Arlington has an equally impressive middle third, but their offense has Drew Plitt and he’ll be a game changer on any given drive this season, and the Vipers defense will struggle to slow him down if he finds a rhythm in the opening week… Renegades by 5/Under.
(0-0) Orlando Guardians at (0-0) Houston Roughnecks
(Roughnecks by 3.5 – 35 O/U) Orlando has made some upgrades by adding Lynch to help their impressive receiving core stretch the field, which will be critical this week since they don’t posses a solid rushing attack. Their defensive line may be the best in the league, but the same can’t be said about the remainder of their defense. Houston drafted a beast led by Borghi and an impressive receiving care and offensive line. They have a fortified front seven, which should see plenty of blitz packages so Lynch will be in for a real test in this game. If Houston can expose Orlando’s defensive line on rushing downs this game could for Orlando… Roughnecks by 10/Under.
Sunday Afternoon’s Game
(0-0) St. Louis BattleHawks at (0-0) San Antonio Brahmas
(BattleHawks by 2.5 – 36.5 O/U) The schedule makers did no justice for the BattleHawks by having them open the first three weeks on the road in a talent deep XFL North, so they enter this game with an added pressure the Brahmas will use to their advantage. Both team looks tough heading into the season as both should compete for a playoff spot in their respective divisions. San Antonio has a solid team led by a very underrated, but extremally talented Jack Coan, who may be the best passer in the league throughout this season. St. Louis has plenty of talent and depth on defense to possibly contain the Brahmas well stocked offensive unit, but while their ground game can be very effective, their passing game has plenty of question marks to resolve as the season moves forward. Good matchup to open the season… Upset Special… Brahmas by 4/Under.
Sunday Night’s Game
(0-0) Seattle Sea Dragons at (0-0) DC Defenders
(Sea Dragons by 1.5 – 36 O/U) Game of the Week. This contest features arguably the top two teams in the North Division. Both squads are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, so this will either be a low scoring defensive display, or a close and high scoring shoot out if both offensive unit can find their groove. Denucci vs. Ta’amu, Smith vs. Knox, two nearly equal defenses against two nearly equally high powered offenses. Great game to close out week one of the XFL’s relaunch season… Upset Special II… Defenders by 3/Over.
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