Now that the NFL season is officially over, football fans are thrilled that the inaugural season of the XFL kicks off this Saturday, February 8. The XFL features eight teams playing 10 games each, before a four-team playoff that will conclude with a championship game on April 26. With week one of the XFL this weekend, here is an official XFL game day preview of every week one matchup.
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Seattle Dragons vs. DC Defenders – XFL Game Day Preview
When: 2:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 8, 2020
Where: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
TV: ABC
Point Spread: DC Defenders -6.5
Seattle Dragons
Season win over/under: 3.5
XFL Championship odds: +1000
Although the Seattle Dragons seem to have some of the worst betting odds right out of the gate, they have some key performers that could change that narrative. Former Houston RB Kenneth Farrow was a powerhouse in college as well as the AAF. Farrow was second in the AAF in rush attempts and rushing yards and logged 60 carries with the Chargers in 2016. Seattle also boasts two more talented running backs with Ja’Quan Gardner and Trey Williams. Together, Farrow, Gardner and Williams were each among the 14 backs in the AAF who rushed for at least 200 yards.
The biggest mystery with the Dragons is in their passing game with former Troy QB Brandon Silvers. Although their wide receiver roster is somewhat questionable, they are the most TE-heavy team in the XFL. We can most likely expect a lot of running and short passes from the Seattle Dragons.
DC Defenders
Season win over/under: 5.5
XFL Championship odds: +700
The DC Defenders will likely offer a pass-heavy offense with former offensive coordinator for Andrew Luck with the Colts and Stanford. DC also offers one of the league’s main headliners with former National Championship winning QB, Cardale Jones of Ohio State. WR Rashad Ross previously led the AAF in touchdowns and was second in receiving yards. The Defenders will also be able to open up their options a bit with RB Jhurell Pressley behind the line. Pressley led the AAF in rushing yards last year and will be a dominate weapon.
Los Angeles Wildcats vs. Houston Roughnecks – XFL Game Day Preview
When: 5:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 8, 2020
Where: TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
TV: FOX
Point Spread: Roughnecks -3.5
Los Angeles Wildcats
Season win over/under: 4
XFL Championship odds: +500
With Norm Chow as offensive coordinator and former NFL dual-threat Josh Johnson as QB, we should expect the Los Angeles Wildcats to offer an offense similar to the Titans with Vince Young. Although dual-threat quarterbacks usually mean limited receiver productivity, the Wildcats boast two former AAF wide receivers, Nelson Spruce and Adonis Jennings. Spruce earned the third-most targets in the league and finished with the fifth-most receiving yards with San Diego, while Jennings was more of a rotational player with Salt Lake City.
In terms of Fantasy points, former seventh-round WR pick of the Titans, Tre McBride, was previously a sleeper Fantasy pick for years and someone to keep an eye on for the Los Angeles Wildcats this year.
Houston Roughnecks
Season win over/under: 6
XFL Championship odds: +900
The Houston Roughnecks have the pleasure of June Jones as their head coach. Jones was the Falcons offensive coordinator and head coach in the 1990s, before a successful career as the head coach at Hawaii and SMU. The former NFL fourth-round pick from Michigan State, Connor Cook put up subpar preseason numbers with the Raiders for three year but his experience may result in big numbers under Jones’ guidance. Houston will likely look to connect with WR Sammie Coates. The former Steelers third-round pick was a 99th percentile SPARQ athlete coming out of college and could potentially be one of the league’s better bets for receiving production if Cook can find his groove.
Tampa Bay Vipers vs. New York Guardians – XFL Game Day Preview
When: 2:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 9, 2020
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
TV: FOX
Point Spread: Vipers -1.5
Tampa Bay Vipers
Season win over/under: 7.5
XFL Championship odds: +500
The Tampa Bay Vipers are stacked with pass-catchers, including several with NFL experience and others who will be recognizable to those who followed the AAF. Head coach Marc Trestman was known as somewhat of a pass-happy head coach in the NFL. Valdosta State WR Seantavius Jones played with Georgia QB Aaron Murray for Atlanta in the AAF, and led them in receiving, but struggled with drops at times. TE Nick Truesdell led the AAF in receiving yardage among tight ends, while Reece Horn was fourth among wide receivers. The Bay Vipers appear to have a crowded passing game and should be expected to be among the most Fantasy-friendly teams in the XFL.
New York Guardians
Season win over/under: 4
XFL Championship odds: +375
The New York Guardians enter the inaugural season with an experienced coach and quarterback depth. While McGloin looks like the starter, Williams and Perez both have AAF experience and could factor in if McGloin struggles. McGloin made seven starts for the Raiders but hasn’t played since 2016 while Williams is a dual threat option and Perez lacks mobility. This will give the Guardians plenty of options in terms of QB versatility.
In terms of running backs, Tim Cook and Justin Stockton were both productive backups for the Arizona Hotshots in the AAF last season. Their first game will help indicate a lot in terms of season starters but one thing is for sure, the New York Guardians have plenty of different options for someone to carry the ball.
St. Louis BattleHawks vs. Dallas Renegades – XFL Game Day Preview
When: 5:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 9, 2020
Where: Globe Life Park, Arlington, TX
TV: ESPN
Point Spread: Renegades -7.5
St. Louis BattleHawks
Season win over/under: 3.5
XFL Championship odds: +1000
If there is one XFL city that could use some quality football in their city once again, it’s St. Louis. The St. Louis BattleHawks have the pleasure of boating a coaching staff with a lot of history together. Head coach Jonathan Hayes and offensive coordinator Chuck Long played together in college as well as coached together under Bob Stoops at Oklahoma. Former Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta’amu had the pleasure of throwing to A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and Dawson Knox in college and finished senior year ranked second in SEC passing yards, behind Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, who played in three more games. Ta’amu will be looking for receivers De’Mornay Pierson-El who finished sixth in the AAF for receiving yards and former Texan Keith Mumphery.
The BattleHawks also have a pair of backs in Christine Michael and Matt Jones that have combined for over 500 NFL carries. Various betting markets agree that the BattleHawks are one of the biggest long shots in the XFL but without a single game played yet, St. Louis could turn out to be a lucrative pick early.
Dallas Renegades
Season win over/under: 6
XFL Championship odds: +300
The Dallas Renegades are led by the former Oklahoma Sooners head coach, Bob Stoops with Hal Mumme as the offensive coordinator. Mumme has been described as an air raid guru, and the combination with Stoops means Dallas will likely featuring a pass-heavy offense. Oklahoma QB Landry Jones will be reunited with former coach with ECU QB Philip Nelson as backup. The Renegades won’t be limited to their air however with former Carolina Panthers RB Cameron Artis-Payne. Although he only had 118 carries in his NFL career, he should become an important piece in the Dallas backfield.
XFL Game Day Picks
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10 PT Pick = Dallas Renegades Will WIN By OVER 7.5 PTS
9 PT Pick = Kenneth Farrow OVER 0.5 Rushing TDs
8 PT Pick = Landry Jones OVER 2.5 TD Passes
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