We're coming down the stretch of this relaunched XFL season and the games are getting more and more exciting with each passing week. And with just three weeks left before the first XFL playoffs, there’s plenty to be decided.
The game of the week sees the Defenders take on the Sea Dragons, AJ McCarron and the Battlehawks could be in a tie for first in the North Division with a win over the Vipers, and so much more.
I break down the XFL odds and bring you my free betting picks for all four Week 8 matchups.
XFL picks for Week 8
Picks made on 4/06/2023 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Week 8 XFL odds and predictions
Vegas Vipers vs St. Louis Battlehawks
Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
| Vegas Vipers | St. Louis Battlehawks | |
|---|---|---|
| +7 | Spread | -7 |
| +260 | Moneyline | -315 |
| Over 46 (-110) | Total | Under 46 (-110) |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of April 7.
The Vegas Vipers may have finally found their starting quarterback. Jalan McClendon gave a jolt to the Vipers' offense, helping the team get just its second win of the season, a 26-12 beatdown of the San Antonio Brahmas.
The former Baylor Bears quarterback ended up going 21-31 for 264 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the victory. Unfortunately, McClendon doesn’t play defense. The Vipers allow the most yards per game (337.9) in the XFL and give up the second-most points per game (25). And now they’ll have to try and slow down one of the most balanced offenses in the league.
The St. Louis Battlehawks are led by quarterback AJ McCarron, who has arguably been the best signal-caller in the XFL. He’s second in passing yards (1,544) and his 17:4 touchdown to interception ratio is by far the best in the league. Meanwhile, running back Brian Hill is the XFL’s second-leading rusher.
And the Battlehawks duo had no trouble in this matchup just back in Week 6. McCarron torched the Vipers’ secondary, going 23-29 for 236 yards with three touchdowns and no picks while Hill ran for 62 yards at nearly 5.0 yards per carry.
Vegas is improving but St. Louis is clearly the more complete team and peaking at the right time. Lay the touchdown with the Battlehawks this weekend, whose last three wins have come by at least nine points.
Pick: Battlehawks -7 (-110 at DraftKings)
Arlington Renegades vs Orlando Guardians
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
| Arlington Renegades | Orlando Guardians | |
|---|---|---|
| +1.5 | Spread | -1.5 |
| -105 | Moneyline | -115 |
| Over 42.5 | Total | Under 42.5 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of April 7.
Talk about getting a shot in the arm. Orlando Guardians quarterback Quentin Dormady is quite the story. Dormady was the quarterback cut from the Guardians after allegedly giving the team’s playbook to an opponent.
However, that turned out to be false and the Guardians re-signed him, replacing Paxton Lynch in Week 5. And the Guardians have looked like one of the best offenses in the league the last three weeks, culminating in a huge upset of previously undefeated DC Defenders last week.
Dormady has thrown for 827 yards while completing 68.9% of his passes with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two and a half games. He’s also been a dual threat, adding 65 yards and three scores on the ground.
This week, Dormady will get arguably his toughest test in the Arlington Renegades. While the Renegades’ offense has been putrid, their defense gives up the fewest yards per game (258.9) and the second-fewest passing yards per game.
But as noted, Arlington can’t move the ball. And at a league-low 13.3 points per game, the team seems allergic to scoring. Head coach Bob Stoops wouldn’t confirm if he would make a change at quarterback after the team traded for spring football king Luis Perez from the Vipers.
I think Perez is the right move, and it could pay off for the Renegades in the long run but this week, the Guardians ride their recent momentum and get their first winning streak of the season.
Pick: Guardians -1.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Houston Roughnecks vs San Antonio Brahmas
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET, ABC
| Houston Roughnecks | San Antonio Brahmas | |
|---|---|---|
| -5 | Spread | +5 |
| -205 | Moneyline | +175 |
| Over 40 (-110) | Total | Under 40 (-110) |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of April 7.
Through four weeks of the season, the Houston Roughnecks looked like the class of the XFL. They were undefeated, they had a balanced offense, and they had the type of defense you would expect from head coach Wade Phillips.
Then the Roughnecks lost in Week 5 in a good matchup against the Seattle Sea Dragons. And then quarterback Brandon Silvers got hurt in a big matchup against the DC Defenders.
Last week, backup Cole McDonald started in Silvers’ place and the dropoff was apparent in the loss to St. Louis, completing just 15 of 32 passes for 106 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
However, Silvers has returned to practice ahead of this week’s matchup with San Antonio, who are in even worse shape under center than the Roughnecks are.
Starting quarterback Jack Coan has missed the last two weeks with an injury and backup Kurt Benkert broke some ribs in last week’s game. Don’t be surprised if recently signed Paxton Lynch gets some action for a team that has had the worst offense in the league.
The Brahmas rank dead last in yards per game (205.1) and second last in scoring at 14.3 points per game. That doesn’t bode well against a Houston defense that allows the second-fewest yards per game.
No matter who is under center for the Roughnecks, it will be better than whatever the Brahmas have going on. Houston takes out some frustrations on San Antonio this week.
Pick: Roughnecks -5 (-110 at DraftKings)
D.C. Defenders vs Seattle Sea Dragons
Sunday, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
| D.C. Defenders | Seattle Sea Dragons | |
|---|---|---|
| +2 | Spread | -2 |
| +110 | Moneyline | -130 |
| Over 46.5 (-110) | Total | Under 46.5 (-110) |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of April 7.
The DC Defenders' leaky defense finally caught up to them last week. It was just a little shocking that it happened against winless Orlando.
DC surrendered 37 points and 400 yards in a stunning 1-point loss at the hands of the Guardians, and it was the Defenders' pass defense that really hurt them once again. Guardians quarterback Quinten Dormady torched the Defenders, going 27-34 for 328 yards with three touchdowns and no picks.
DC is now giving up 248.3 passing yards per game. That is the worst mark in the XFL, by far, and now, all they have to do is try and contain the league’s best passing attack in Ben DiNucci and the Sea Dragons. DiNucci, thanks in part to his stable of stud receivers, leads the XFL with 1,771 passing yards.
However, the Defenders are still rolling on offense, thanks to a dominant run game. DC rumbles for 168.7 rushing yards per game and the next closest team runs for 97. The Defenders lead the league in scoring (29.1 ppg) and yardage. QB Jordan Ta’amu has played better as the season has gone on.
These are the best two offenses in the XFL, who each have the ability to take advantage of their opponent’s weaknesses. There could be some fireworks in this one.
Pick: Over 46.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
