Spring football is back with the return of the XFL. The league owned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia is football with pizzazz. The XFL has deep ties with the WWE, as Vince McMahon began the league and now Johnson is a part-owner. The league made its debut in 2001 and had its second season in 2020, which was canceled midseason due to COVID-19.
The 2023 season offers some new twists, including rule changes. For example, coaches will be able to challenge anything throughout the game, including penalties. The XFL could be an interesting bet. Perhaps the most promising is who will win the XFL title. Let’s look at the expected contenders, and which teams have the tools to win it all.
Let’s check the latest XFL news, stats, injury reports, and XFL lines. We’ve got plenty of XFL picks for you to consider.
What to Rely on
The XFL includes eight teams: Arlington Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, D.C. Defenders, Orlando Guardians, San Antonio Brahmas, Seattle Sea Dragons, St. Louis Battlehawks, and Vegas Vipers. Following 40 regular-season games, the postseason will occur in May with only three games. Four teams will make the playoffs. After two semifinal games, the championship game will cap off the season.
Predicting who wins the 2023 XFL title could prove to be a difficult wager. Many of these players have not played in the NFL and have made their rounds in alternate football leagues, like the USFL. However, there are several notable coaches in the league, including Bob Stoops leading the Renegades.
Coaching matters at every level of football. This could be the best bet.
Staffs with Sustained Success
The Renegades, Roughnecks, and Sea Dragons feature the most notable coaches. Stoops leads the Arlington squad. He coached at Oklahoma for 19 years and won a national championship in 2000.
Wade Phillips, who was a longtime defensive coordinator in the NFL, is the headman of Houston. Phillips’ most recent position was defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams from 2017-19. He also led the Denver Broncos’ dominant defense in Super Bowl 50. Phillips was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 2007-10. The Roughnecks could have the XFL’s best defense.
Lastly, the Sea Dragons are led by Jim Haslett. He has been a defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for various NFL teams. Haslett was the Tennessee Titans’ inside linebackers coach from 2020-21. Also, he was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 2000-05. This is another team that could have a formidable defense.
The Renegades, Roughnecks and Sea Dragons are solid options to win the 2023 XFL title thanks to impressive coaching staff. Of course, the roster still matters. Coaches can only do so much. Which team has the best chance to win the XFL?
Beware the Sea Dragons
Among the three teams, Seattle and Arlington stand out as potential contenders. The Renegades have several players with experience in alternate leagues. Tight end Sal Cannella posted 154 receiving yards in a USFL playoff game in 2022. Arlington also has an intriguing secondary led by safety Rahim Moore and safety Will Hill. Moore played in the NFL from 2011-15, and Hill played four seasons in the NFL and spent some time in the CFL. Perhaps the roster’s most notable player is punter Marquette King, who was with the then-Oakland Raiders from 2013-17.
Wide receiver Josh Gordon is the most prominent player in the entire XFL. He could be a dominant force for Seattle. Ben DiNucci is the starting quarterback. He was a backup QB for the Cowboys in 2020 and started in one game. Wide receiver Kevin Shaa was the Sea Dragons’ top pick. He’s a speedy receiver from Liberty University. Shaa averaged 18 yards per catch in his last two collegiate seasons. Cornerback Chris Jones could be the best defensive player. He played for several NFL teams from 2018-21.
GO GET IT @Kevybo_ 😤
Kevin Shaa with the snag for 54 yards! #RiseWithUs #TougherTogether pic.twitter.com/vmfJ6KemaB
— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) November 14, 2020
Football has become an offensive game that leans on exceptional passing attacks. Arlington seems to lack offensive firepower while Seattle has it in bulk. Plus, the Sea Dragons have a notable defensive coach with a promising secondary. Seattle is a promising bet to win the 2023 XFL title.
The Sea Dragons battle the Defenders on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET. XFL odds list Seattle as a one-point favorite.
