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#Xtrafootballszn continues to heat up! Not only does the playoff chase in the XFL continue in Week 9, but the USFL makes a triumphant return today for Season 2! Let's break down everything you need to know about both leagues as some summer football gets off to an early start!
XFL Week 9
Saturday at 12:30 PM-Vegas Vipers at Houston Roughnecks
Preview by Jordan Laube
The Roughnecks ended their 3 game skid last week, but are still playing considerably worse than they did in the first half of the season. However, while the Roughnecks have already clinched a playoff spot, Vegas can still play spoiler and give the Renegades a chance to take over the division lead.
Best Players from Week 8-Vegas
Dohnovan West (Guard)- West was the most consistent blocker up front for Vegas in their OT loss to St. Louis. He allowed zero pressures, and the Vegas rushing attack averaged 5.6 yards/carry when running behind him.
Maurice Smith (Safety)-Smith has struggled this season, but he had his best game in Week 8. He was targeted twice, picking off one of the passes and blanketing the other. Smith also caused two stops on his only two stops of the game while turning his lone pressure into a sack.
Vegas' Key Factor
Vegas has nothing to lose; play hard, and keep this run game churning to wear down this battered Roughneck defense.
Best Player from Week 8-Houston
Sage Doxtater (OT)- The only player on Houston that did anything worth mentioning last week was their LT. Against 20 pass rushes, Doxtater allowed zero pressures and picked up key stunts in crucial situations.
Houston's Key Factor
Feed. Max. Borghi. This offense has neglected him since the midway point of the season, and this offense looks lost without him involved. It's time to put up or shut up and give your best player a chance to work.
Betting Lines
ML: LV (+240)|HOU (-290)
Spread: HOU -6.5
Total: 43.5
I think the Roughnecks end up winning in the end, but it'll be a boxing match like their last game. This one will come down to the wire, so I like the Vipers covering the spread while the Roughnecks money line hits. In terms of total, I like the under this week. Neither offense has been lethal as of late, and it'll take a lot for either team to muster something up.
In a game that doesn't matter for clinching implications, the Roughnecks need to win to help secure a division title. I think they'll come out of the gate slow, but end up taking the cake in this one, 20-19.
Saturday at 7 PM-Orlando Guardians at San Antonio Brahmas
Preview by Will Tondo
This is a bottom of the barrel game. You hate to see it, but you have to appreciate it. The Guardians are out of the playoff race, but can cover against San Antonio. Despite the worst record in the league, Orlando is 3-1 ATS in their last four games. My poor Brahmas are 4 games under .500, but are still mathematically alive for the playoffs. Similarly, San Antonio is 2-1 ATS in their past 3 games. It's a must win for the Brahmas, and they've done it before against Orlando. The last time these two met, Jack Coan threw for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns with an interception in a 30-12 win.
The total has gone under for the Brahmas in 6 consecutive outings, and 7 of 8 games overall, so that's my pick here. For the winner and spread? You know I'm riding with the Brahmas. Win, and keep the playoff hopes alive!
Betting Lines
ML: ORL (+105)|SA (-125)
Spread: Brahmas -2
Total: 39.5
Sunday at Noon-Arlington Renegades at DC Defenders
Preview by James Mas
The Defenders won a nail biter in Week 8, narrowly escaping the Sea Dragons by a score of 34-33. Jordan Ta’amu had a stellar game through the air, going 17/26 with 4 TDs thrown, a season high. Abram Smith was also solid on the ground, running the ball 17 times for 66 yards and a score. Chris Blair also had a career receiving game, catching 5 balls for 148 yards and a TD. It was Ta’amu’s pass to Blair with 2 minutes left that would secure the victory for the Defenders.
The Renegades are also coming off a very close game, barely holding off the Guardians by a score of 18-16. Arlington was less than stellar on offense the entire game, only going for a total of 190 through the air with no touchdowns, and 91 on the ground with one score. The Renegades also fumbled the ball 4 times, losing possession 3 of those times. If it wasn’t for 3 lost fumbles and 2 interceptions from Guardians QB Quinten Dormady, the end result could have been very different.
This week, I’ll be keeping an eye on Ta’amu and how he takes last week’s momentum into this matchup against Arlington. I’ve been incredibly critical of Ta’amu this season, and rightfully so. He’s had plenty of underwhelming weeks, and I even called for him to get benched. Last week, however, he shut me up. This is the Ta’amu I’ve been waiting to see.
I’ve been incredibly high on the Defenders all season, and I don’t plan on changing that now. I see DC taking this game, but Arlington holds it to a one score difference, 24-18.
Betting Lines
ML: ARL (+330)|DC (-410)
Spread: Defenders -8.5
Total: 41.5
Sunday at 3 PM-Seattle Sea Dragons vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Preview by Sam Basel
After the Battlehawks walked it off in Seattle during Week 2, the stage is set for two playoff-hopeful teams to try and punctuate their division rival's respective seasons. Despite having their 5-game win streak snapped last week against DC, the Sea Dragons are still a hot commodity in this league. Everything about their offense is clicking right now, but it's going to take a lot to get past a hungry Battlehawks team in arguably the best environment in the league. Allowed less than 15 points per game over their last 3 games, St. Louis has excelled in preventing top tier teams from executing their game plans. Look for the Battlehawks to take this one in a defensive slugfest, 21-17.
Betting Lines
ML: SEA (+100)|STL (-120)
Spread: Battlehawks -1.5
Total: 46
USFL Week 1
Saturday at 4:30 PM-Philadelphia Stars vs. Memphis Showboats
Preview by Jordan Laube
The Philly Stars are the veterans of this league, going 6-4 in their inaugural season in 2022, while the Showboats are the newcomers who look to make a splash in this league.
Philly's Key to the Game
Corey Coleman (WR)- You probably best remember Corey Coleman as the guy who secured the Browns 0-16 season after dropping a wide open 4th Down comeback route. While he couldn't make it in the NFL, his speed and athleticism should be something special in the USFL.
Memphis' Key to the Game
Alex Collins (RB)- Collins actually had a pretty underrated NFL career. The 28-year-old back last played in 2021 for the Seahawks, but did his best work in 2017, where he ran for 973 yards and 6 TDs, all while racking up 187 yards on 23 catches through the air in 15 games. Memphis should run their offense through him.
Betting Lines
ML: PHI (-155)|MEM (+135)
Spread: Stars -3
Total: 39.5
Saturday at 7:30 PM-New Jersey Generals vs. Birmingham Stallions
Preview by Sam Basel
Any sports league in the United States is better when they have a New York team, and while the Generals claim New Jersey as their home, their history at Giants Stadium in the league's original incarnation is enough to make a fan out of me. Kicking off their season against the reigning champions, Generals QB De'Andre Johnson must get hot early and prove that last year's playoff run was not a fluke. Jersey must take advantage of Birmingham's gaps at receiver, and if they can punch the champs in the mouth early, I see them taking this one 28-24.
Betting Lines
ML: NJ (+175)|BIR (-205)
Spread: Stallions -5
Total: 40
Sunday at 12 PM-Michigan Panthers vs. Houston Gamblers
Preview by James Mas
As the XFL begins to wind down, the USFL looks to take center stage. After a successful inaugural season last year, the USFL looks to boost their reach even further in Season 2.
The Panthers and Gamblers are facing off in a Week 1 matchup, and both teams will be looking put last season way behind them. Both organizations were bottom feeders of the league last year, and will obviously look to improve upon their finishes.
This week, I’m very interested in the play of Panthers’ QB Josh Love. The former San Jose State Spartan has the necessary tools to be a very good quarterback, but the question is if he can put them all together.
I'll take the Gamblers in this Week 1 matchup by a score of 22-18.
Betting Lines
ML: MIP (-110)|HOU (-110)
Spread: Gamblers -1
Total: 38.5
Sunday at 6:30 PM-Pittsburgh Maulers vs. New Orleans Breakers
Preview by Will Tondo
It’s a new year for these two franchises, after a wildly disappointing 2022 campaign. The Maulers are led by former FIU QB James Morgan. The Conference USA Newcomer of the Year tossed over 2,700 yards and 26 TD’s back in 2018, and was a 4th round draft pick by the Jets in 2020. They have some talent on the defensive side, including former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, and USFL veterans Boogie Roberts (NT) and Tre Tarpley (S).
For the Breakers, they have CFL veteran, McLeod Bethel-Thompson under center. Bethel-Thompson has quarterbacked two Grey Cup-winning teams (2017, 2022), and has led the CFL in passing yards (4,731) and passing TDs (23) as the starter for the Toronto Argonauts. Not bad! The Breakers led the league in scoring defense, allowing just 14.8 points per game while recording 10 picks and forcing nine fumbles.
I love the under here. The Maulers and Breakers have two new head coaches, and both were ranked as the worst offenses last season, combining for an average of 34.3 PPG. In terms of who wins and who covers? My eyes are drawn to the pedigree of McLeod Bethel-Thompson. From Canada, to New Orleans, give me the Breakers to cover and win.
Betting Lines
ML: PIT (+165)|NO (-195)
Spread: Breakers -4.5
Total: 37.5
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