Not everyone was particularly enthusiastic about the return of the XFL, and perhaps for good reason. But it does seem to have legitimised itself into a viable alternative to the NFL – bridging a gap between the NFL season, overlapping the Draft, free agency and landing you smack bang in the summer where pre-season is only around the corner.
The XFL is the hero none of us knew we needed, and since Vince McMahon has peeled back on the gimmicks, its credibility has gone through the roof.
This is healthy, and not only is it good for us, but it’s somewhere for not-quites at NFL level to go to get work in the field they’ve been preparing for all their lives.
But with great power comes great responsibility – and with a decent level of competitive sports comes a decent level of money to be made from it. After all three of my Week 2 spread picks came in, I’m feeling in a positive mood.
Let’s go six-for-six to start the season, shall we?
Houston Roughnecks @ Tampa Bay Vipers (+6.5): -122
22nd February – 2PM
I was pretty confident in this line even before we gained an extra half-point.
While DC can rightly be called the best team in the XFL thus far, most would hand the second podium to Houston. Not for me, personally – and the reason for that is due to a very friendly schedule thus far.
A week one mauling of the abysmal Los Angeles Wildcats is massaging every statistic you could want – and a road trip to an improving Tampa Bay defensive unit could see them come up short.
Houston to Tampa Bay is no joke and home comforts will be firmly in the rear-view mirror. Brandon Silvers has looked the part thus far, but this Vipers unit held him below the 100-yard mark through the air last week.
While I anticipate Houston could sneak this, it’s likely to turn into a game of field goals, and we’re getting two in our back pocket on this spread.
Ride with the Vipers on CanPlay.
Dallas Renegades @ Seattle Dragons (+5): -132
22nd February – 5PM
The Renegades’ struggles haven’t been talked about enough and that’s because they’re not 0-2. Realistically, what they’ve managed thus far is a single-score victory over the worst team in the XFL by some distance – the Wildcats – and put up just nine points against the BattleHawks at home in their opener.
Seattle may have struggled that combat Tampa Bay last week, but that was a schematic nightmare for them style-wise. This week isn’t quite as difficult to counter and I expect that offence to capitalise on some soft coverage.
It’s worth remember that Seattle travelled the entire length of the country and put up 19 points against the Champions-in-waiting, the DC Defenders.
They should have no problem covering here. Bet on the Dragons (+5) at -132 with CanPlay.
DC Defenders (+8) @ Los Angeles Wildcats: -137
23rd February – 6PM
I personally couldn’t sleep at night if I backed three dogs to cover, so let’s all be grateful for Cardale Jones’ romp to the league MVP award.
Wait, has Vince forked out for a trophy?
This is the best team in the XFL going up against the worst team in the XFL. Not only that, but their lack of speed at linebacker is a serious concern when facing a mobile quarterback – home advantage or not.
That’s of course not really a thing in LA, as both the Chargers and Rams have found out.
I’d have taken this spread all the way upto 9.5, so I can gladly suggest taking DC to cover. Back them with CanPlay.
