XFL Week 3 Lines, Betting Picks & Predictions
Online sports betting sites released their Week 3 XFL lines. Here’s a look at all four matchups along with our favorite XFL Week 3 betting picks and predictions.
XFL Week 2 Betting Recap
We followed Week 1 with another solid weekend. XFL Week 2 betting picks went 6-1 through Saturday and Sunday, and XFL bettors fading the Overs profited handsomely, once again.
Six of the first eight XFL games have gone under their respective totals at US sportsbooks. The two Overs have both been thanks to the Houston Roughnecks. June Jones’ run-and-shoot offensive scheme is giving defensive coordinators fits. The Roughnecks scored 37 points in Week 1 and 28 and in Week 2.
XFL 2020 Betting Picks Record: 8-1
Updated 2020 XFL Championship Betting Odds
All odds are courtesty of FanDuel Sportsbook and accurate as of February 21, 2020.
- DC Defenders +200 (Previously +350)
- Houston Roughnecks +250 (Previously +430)
- Dallas Renegades +600 (Previously +600)
- Tampa Bay Vipers +800 (Previously +600)
- New York Guardians +1000 (Previously + 430)
- St. Louis BattleHawks +1000 (Previously +700)
- Los Angeles Wildcats +1400 (Previously +1000)
- Seattle Dragons +1400 (Previously +1600)
Not a lot has changed atop 2020 XFL Championship betting odds since Week 2. The Defenders and Roughnecks are still the favorites, separating themselves from the rest of the field more and more every week. The Guardians, though, have seen their stock plummet following an embarrassing 27-0 loss in the nation’s capital.
For now, I have a difficult time betting against the Defenders and the Roughnecks. There might be some upside in both Dallas and St. Louis. Landry Jones only has one start under his belt for the Renegades, and he did become the first quarterback to throw 300 passing yards in a game this season. Aside from Cardale Jones and PJ Walker, the BattleHawks’ Jordan Ta’amu has been the most impressive quarterback in the league, throwing efficiently and proving to be a dual-threat with his legs. Now let’s get to our Week 3 XFL betting picks and predictions.
XFL Week 3 Betting Picks for Saturday
Houston Roughnecks at Tampa Bay Vipers +6.5, O/U 45.5
2 p.m. ET on ABC
The Tampa Bay Vipers are third in total offense (341.5 yards per game) but are last in points, scoring only 19 through two games. In fact, with their lone touchdown coming from a defensive interception, the Vipers offense has yet to find the end zone.
Part of the problem is that the Vipers have been victims of bad quarterback play, which explains why they’re relying on the run to produce 145.5 yards per game. Aaron Murray only completed 16-of-34 passes in Week 1. Things didn’t get much better with Murray on the bench in Week 2.
Former Oklahoma State quarterback Taylor Cornelius got the start this time. And as expected, Cornelius was a mess, throwing two interceptions for a 44.4 passer rating. Dual-threat QB Quentin Flowers was given chances to test his arm as well, but Flowers only managed three completions in seven attempts against Seattle.
In total, the Vipers are a dismal 0-for-7 in the red zone, but that’s not even the worst of it. Four times the Vipers have been inside the 10-yard line and came out scoreless.
On one hand, maybe the Vipers are due for positive regression in the red zone. Will yards finally begin to translate into points against the Roughnecks?. On the other hand, their quarterbacks are still Taylor Cornelius, Quentin Flowers and Aaron Murray (when he returns from a foot injury).
The Roughnecks’ defense is ranked second, according to PFF. Their rush defense specifically grades out well.
Let’s not overthink this when it comes to the spread. The Roughnecks make it 3-0 with ease. I also like the Under even though the Over is 2-0 when Houston is playing.
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XFL Betting Picks: Houston Roughnecks -6.5, Under 45.5
Dallas Renegades at Seattle Dragons +4, O/U 43
5 p.m. ET on FOX
As mentioned previously, Landry Jones threw the first 300-yard game of the 2020 XFL season against the Los Angeles Wildcats. Despite the big numbers, Jones didn’t look great. He threw two early interceptions as the Renegades moved into their opponent’s territory. The Renegades looked much better on the ground with Cameron Artis-Payne and Lance Dunbar each averaging 7 yards per carry. The two running backs combined for 141 yards on the ground, 99 of which came from Artis-Payne.
On the West Coast, Seattleites showed up in force to help their XFL team post a W in the win column. XFL attendance saw nearly a 10 percent increase in Week 2, in large thanks to the 29,000-plus fans that filed into CenturyLink Field. The Dragons needed all the help they could get as quarterback Brandon Silvers had the worst passing grade, per PFF, for the second week in a row.
The Dragons stay in Seattle for their matchup against the Renegades, in what looks to be one of the bigger home-field advantages in the XFL. However, I’m not sure it will matter.
I expect a sharper performance from Jones in his second start, which spells trouble for Silver and the Dragons. A four-point spread is not enough.
XFL Betting Picks: Dallas Renegades -4
XFL Week 3 Betting Picks for Sunday
New York Guardians at St. Louis BattleHawks -10, O/U 40
3 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Guardians had plenty of drama while being shut out against the Defenders. Quarterback Matt McGloin struggled in the first half, throwing two interceptions and routinely missing open receivers for large gains. At halftime, McGloin seemed to take a shot at the Guardians’ coaching staff, telling a reporter that they needed to change the entire gameplan.
Maybe the gameplan was a problem, but from what I saw, the biggest obstacle for the offense was McGloin himself.
McGloin was rightfully benched, but Marquise Williams was no solution, which is why McGloin is expected to get the start against the BattleHawks despite the differences between him and his head coach.
While the Guardians are on a downward spiral, the St. Louis BattleHawks are just beginning to soar. Led by quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, the BattleHawks are one of the bigger early-season surprises. Ta’amu has been impressive for the most part. However, throwing two interceptions in their Week 2 loss against Houston, Ta’amu showed signs of the same poor decision-making that plagued him in college. He was still able to give his team a chance on the road against arguably the best team in the XFL.
Sure, the BattleHawks and Ta’amu have been impressive, but 10 points is too much if your name isn’t the Defenders or the Roughnecks.
XFL Betting Picks: New York Guardians +10
DC Defenders at Los Angeles Wildcats +8.5, O/U 44
6 p.m. ET on FS1
The Defenders look like the most complete team in the XFL, impressing on both sides of the ball. They have a tougher test this week, at least defensively, against the L.A Wildcats and quarterback Josh Johnson. Johnson, who has NFL experience, is making only his second start of the year after an injury made him inactive for the Wildcats’ Week 1 debut.
In Week 2, Johnson earned the second-best passing grade from PFF, behind only this week’s opponent, Cardale Jones.
The Wildcats need Johnson to play that good, if not better if they are to keep up with Jones and the Defenders. L.A. probably has the worst defense in the league. One of their games came against the Roughnecks, but they’ve allowed 21 more points than any other team so far. The Wildcats defense has also given up the league’s only 300-yard passing game.
I’m expecting solid quarterback play from both offenses, which is why I’ll be placing my first Over bet of the XFL season. Additionally, I think the Wildcats can score enough to stay within the spread.
XFL Betting Picks: Wildcats +8.5, Over 44
For more general XFL betting tips, check out our XFL Football Betting Guide.
Image Credit: USA Today Sports Images