What many thought was the biggest mismatch of the XFL season instead turned out to be the biggest upset. And as a result there is no team with a zero in the standings. Going off as a 10-point dog the winless Orlando Guardians shocked the undefeated DC Defenders, 37-36, behind a scintillating performance from Quinten Dormady. In what was the best outing by a quarterback this season, Dormady threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns with an additional three scores on the ground accounting for all six of his team’s TDs. They still have the worst record in the league at 1-6, but the narrative has changed. The Guardians are favored for the first time laying a point to Arlington in their Week 8 tussle.
Cruising along with a six-game SU and ATS winning streak to start the season, there are now plenty of questions surrounding the Defenders’ defenders. DC allowed 400 yards to Orlando while conceding at least 20 points in a third straight game. The unit will be tested against the red-hot Seattle Sea Dragons in what’s now a showdown for the North Division lead. Winners of five straight, the Sea Dragons average the second-most yards behind passing leader Ben DiNucci. Seattle is a 1.5-point favorite in the final game of the betting week. Despite losing three consecutive games the Houston Roughnecks continue to lead the South Division thanks to a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS record against division foes. They beat San Antonio 22-13 in Week 3 and are a 5-point favorite to sweep the season series.
XFL Week 8 Schedule
Saturday, April 8
Vegas Vipers (2-5) at St. Louis Battlehawks (5-2), 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Opening Line: St. Louis -7.5, O/U 46
There have been plenty of streaks in the league with Houston, DC and Seattle going at least four games without a setback. Through it all, though, St. Louis has been consistently good led by veteran signal caller A.J. McCarron. And the Battlehawks can make a big move in the North with their final three games played at home where they’ve drawn 30k fans. Tied with Seattle at a game behind DC, St. Louis is the biggest favorite on the board laying 7.5 points for their matchup with Vegas. McCarron leads the XFL with 17 TD passes and faces a generous Vegas defense that allows a league-high 338 yards per game and 25.0 points. Vegas’ inconsistent offense will keep the score below the total, but St. Louis has the firepower to cover the spread.
Prediction: St. Louis -7.5 / UNDER 46
Arlington Renegades (3-4) at Orlando Guardians (1-6), 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Opening Line: Orlando -1, O/U 41.5
Orlando played several close games before edging DC signifying they weren’t far off. I didn’t expect the result we got last week, though. For a team that struggled as mightily as the Guardians did for the first six games, they absolutely exploded with the help of Dormady. Suspended for a few games earlier in the season, Dormady wasn’t a huge part of the offense. However, over the last three games he’s thrown for 827 yards and five TDs while also being a threat on the ground. Over that span the Guardians averaged nearly 30 points while going 3-0 ATS. They’ve also cashed the OVER in four straight games and six of seven overall. Arlington doesn’t score much but they boast the No. 1 scoring defense and third-best in points allowed
Prediction: Arlington +1 / UNDER 41.5
Sunday, April 9
Houston Roughnecks (4-3) at San Antonio Brahmas (2-5) at 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Opening Line: Houston -5, O/U 40
Houston showed it could dominate weaker competition posting all four wins against teams currently below .500. And those teams also reside in the same division, which is why the Roughnecks are clinging to the lead. They were exposed on defense during their current losing streak, but this is the same group that smothered San Antonio in a 22-13 Week 3 victory. The offensive woes continued for the Brahmas last week in a 26-12 loss to Vegas with Kurt Benkert and Jawon Pass failing to ignite the offense. The Brahmas totaled only 206 yards and average around that many for the season. That’s just not enough against a team looking to get back in the win column.
Prediction: Houston -5 / UNDER 40
DC Defenders (6-1) at Seattle Sea Dragons (5-2) at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Opening Line: Seattle -1.5, O/U 47
After getting humbled by Orlando, the Defenders no longer look invincible. It didn’t take a lucky break or numerous turnovers, either. DC was gouged for 400 yards with Dormady doing all sorts of damage. Winning is a great deodorant with the XFL’s top offense covering up DC’s problems on defense. And that’s an area DiNucci can exploit. Seattle averages the second-most yards and nearly 23 points during their five-game winning streak. DC did more than enough offensively last week amassing 488 yards with Jordan Ta’amu throwing for 285 and three TDs and rushing leader Abram Smith going for 127 yards and a TD. The total of 47 is the highest in any game so far this season and I can see the clubs hitting the OVER.
Prediction: Seattle -1.5 / OVER 47
