Los Angeles Wildcats vs New York Guardians
Saturday, February 29th – 2:00pm ET – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Betting Line: Los Angeles -7, Total 40
The Wildcats and Guardians may have the same record, but boy are they different teams.
LA is coming off their first win of the season. They put a 39-9 beating on DC last week. Josh Johnson completed 72% of his passes against DC. He passed for 278 yards and three touchdowns while compiling a 148 passer rating.
The Wildcats have scored 10 touchdowns this season. They’ve allowed nine.
New York has lost two straight. They’re coming off a 29-9 beating at the hands of the Battlehawks and a 27-0 shut-out against DC the week before.The Guardians have scored just four touchdowns on the season. They’ve allowed six.
These teams appear to be going in opposite directions. I’m feeding the hot hand and taking LA to win in Week 4.
Seattle Dragons vs St. Louis Battlehawks
Saturday, February 29th – 5:00pm ET – The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, MO
Betting Line: St. Louis -12, Total 39
The Battlehawks sit in first place in the East. They’re tied 2-1 with the DC Defenders. St. Louis’ +4 touchdown differential currently has them ahead of DC’s -1 touchdown differential.
St. Louis put a hurting on New York in Week 3. Matt Jones led the offense to 95 rushing yards and a touchdown. Collectively, the Battlehawks rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
Seattle lost 24-12 to Dallas last week. They sit in last place in the West.
Brandon Silvers is having trouble finding success at QB like he did in the short-lived AAF. He doesn’t have a true #1 receiver. Austin Proehl ranks fifth in receiving yards, but he’s tallied just 168 yards over three games.
Seattle isn’t particularly good on either side of the ball. It’s hard to see how they’d come out on top in this one. The Dragons may be in for a long night.
Houston Roughnecks vs Dallas Renegades
Sunday, March 1st – 4:00pm ET – Globe Life Park, Arlington, TX
Betting Line: Houston -1, Total 50.5
The Houston Roughnecks are the only remaining undefeated team in the league. Their offense has been unrelenting. They lead the league with 13 touchdowns scored, however their nine touchdowns allowed ties them with DC, Tampa Bay, and LA for the most in the XFL.
Cam Phillips is quickly becoming a star in this league. The Roughnecks wideout leads the league in every receiving category. He’s caught 20 passes for 324 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s really connecting with former Temple quarterback Phillip Walker who’s passed for 748 yards and 10 touchdowns to just one interception.
Dallas is on a two-game winning streak. They’re the best defending team in the West as they’ve allowed just six touchdowns on the season. Unfortunately, Dallas hasn’t been particularly productive on offense. Their six touchdowns scored is the fewest in the West.
The Renegades may be good (for XFL standards), but they can’t hang with Cam and the boys from Houston. Dallas is 0-2 at home and they’ll be heading there this week.
DC Defenders vs Tampa Bay Vipers
Sunday, March 1st – 7:00pm ET – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL
Betting Line: Tampa Bay -1.5, Total 44
It’s great to see Cardale Jones on the field again. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been very good. He ranks third in the XFL with 602 passing yards, but he’s thrown four touchdowns to five interceptions in the process.
Jones and the Defenders should be happy to be traveling to Tampa Bay. The Vipers are the only winless team in the XFL. They were last seen on the losing side of a 34-27 game against Houston.
Taylor Cornelius is expected to start at QB in Week 4. He had an abysmal showing so far with 347 passing yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Until Tampa Bay gets its quarterback situation under control, there’s not backing them. DC will leave the Tampa Bay area with a dub on the books.
