XFL Odds & Best Bets Today: Schedule, Picks for Week 3
The Houston Roughnecks have tallied a dozen sacks in their first two games. Should bettors include Wade Phillips’ squad amongst their XFL Week 3 best bets as an underpriced home favorite against the San Antonio Brahmas? Read on for our XFL picks and predictions.
Week 3 of the XFL season kicks off on Saturday night with a standalone primetime game and continues on Sunday with a tripleheader slate. Needless to say, it should be yet another busy and entertaining weekend of spring football.
Based on the early returns we have seen thus far, the showdown between the St. Louis BattleHawks and the D.C. Defenders shapes up as the marquee game on the XFL Week 3 schedule. Only one team will emerge from Sunday’s clash with its perfect record intact.
The Sunday night battle between the San Antonio Brahmas and undefeated Houston Roughnecks also carries plenty of intrigue. The winner will claim an early leg-up in the South Division standings.
Here are our XFL best bets for Week 3 (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, SuperBook, and FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Week 3 XFL schedule and odds
(Odds via SuperBook)
- Sea Dragons (-3) vs. Vipers
- BattleHawks vs. Defenders (-3)
- Guardians vs. Renegades (-8.5)
- Brahmas vs. Roughnecks (-4)
Week 3 XFL best bets
- Vipers +3.5 (-110 via DraftKings) vs. Sea Dragons ⭐⭐
- BattleHawks vs. Defenders Under 37 (-110 via SuperBook) ⭐⭐⭐
- Roughnecks -3.5 (-120 via FanDuel) vs. Brahmas ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Week 3 XFL top picks
Vipers +3 (-110 via DraftKings) vs. Sea Dragons ⭐⭐
It didn’t even take two full games for Vegas to make a change at quarterback. After Luis Perez started 1-of-5 passing last week, the Vipers pulled the plug and inserted Brett Hundley into the lineup. Unfortunately, the switch came against a D.C. outfit that looks to have the strongest defense of any team in the XFL. Thus, it yielded minimal short-term success.
As for Saturday night’s showdown against Seattle, one has to believe that the Vipers will be able to get things going offensively. Hundley has plenty of solid weapons at his disposal in the passing game. Back-to-back home games and increased practice repetitions with the first-stringers should pay dividends.
Another key component for bettors to consider is the sloppy play of Sea Dragons QB Ben DiNucci. The former Dallas Cowboys backup has committed four turnovers through the first two weeks of play. Vegas’ defense has looked strong in the first half of both games thus far. Any sort of complimentary football from the offense will make all the difference.
Although Seattle has done a nice job of being competitive against both D.C. and St. Louis, it is tough to advise laying a full field goal on the road. That's why we are taking the home underdog in this matchup.
BattleHawks vs. Defenders Under 37 (-110 via SuperBook) ⭐⭐⭐
Earlier in the week, the total for Sunday’s showdown between St. Louis and D.C. sat at 35.5. With the total now up to 37, bettors have a tremendous opportunity to play back in the opposite direction on a game that will feature two of the XFL’s best defenses.
In each of the BattleHawks’ first two games, quarterback A.J. McCarron has bailed them out by leading fourth-quarter comebacks. Replicating those late-game heroics in Week 3 will be much tougher against a stout D.C. defense. The Defenders held Vegas to just 3.8 yards per play on the road last week.
On the other side of the ball, there is good reason to believe that the Defenders will find success running the football in this matchup. D.C. torched the Vipers for 228 total yards rushing last week and could find similar success against a BattleHawks defense that has allowed nearly 120 yards per game on the ground.
Despite giving up a hefty yardage total, the BattleHawks limited the damage that both San Antonio and Seattle were able to inflict on the scoreboard. A run-heavy approach will also effectively shorten the game clock, which certainly bodes well for the Under.
Roughnecks -3.5 (-120 via FanDuel) vs. Brahmas ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If anyone is still doubting the impact that quality coaching can have in a spring football league like the XFL, the Roughnecks’ defensive statistics through two games are worth taking into consideration. With Wade Phillips calling the shots, Houston has managed to compile a whopping 12 sacks in its first two games.
Now, it’s worth noting that the Roughnecks haven’t exactly gone up against XFL favorites. Both Arlington and Orlando have left plenty to be desired with their level of play in the first two weeks. That being said, Houston’s aggressive defensive front figures to have a solid advantage yet again against a mediocre Brahmas’ offensive line.
Meanwhile, the same strength of schedule adjustment must be made when considering San Antonio’s offensive production from a week ago. Quarterback Jack Coan played very well, but it came against the sieve that is the Orlando defense.
Aside from some sloppy first half turnovers, Houston thoroughly outclassed Arlington last week. With home field and a defense that projects as the best unit on either side in this matchup, the undefeated Roughnecks are worth backing as a 3.5-point favorite.
XFL best bets for Week 3 made 03/03/2023 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
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