We had mixed results with last week’s XFL parlay picks in going 2-2 against the spread but did find ourselves in a position to cash all four tickets. The Vegas Vipers got out to a commanding 14-3 halftime lead, but turnovers and the offense going into the tank forced us to need a late game backdoor touchdown to secure the ticket cash. The under looked solid through three quarters in the Orlando/Houston matchup even with the Guardians controversial opening drive touchdown, but then variance and turnovers reared its ugly head to bust the position in the 4Q. The football gods giveth and taketh with Sunday’s picks on the Battlehawks and Sea Dragons. We had no business cashing in with St. Louis in that miraculous comeback win, but also had no business losing with Seattle who outgained DC by over 150 yards. With more info to dissect both from statistical and philosophical standpoints, let’s see if we can’t cash that 4-teamer in Week 2 XFL betting!
Bet XFL Week 2 Parlay Picks at BookMaker.eu
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
Date and Time: Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 9 PM EST
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
TV Coverage: FX
It’s fitting to see the Battlehawks squaring off against the Sea Dragons in Week 2 with both clubs taking us for a ride last Sunday. Coming off that miraculous comeback win in San Antonio, St. Louis must now make the trek to the Pacific Northwest where a pissed off Sea Dragons outfit will await. I still can’t believe Jim Haslett’s troops let that game in DC slip away like that. Seattle was nothing if not dominant through 2+ quarters, but allowed the game to get away from them in the third before ultimately fumbling the win away at the goal line in the closing seconds. Only three teams racked up more yardage than Seattle did last week (339 yards), and St. Louis routinely allowed the Brahmas to move the ball on them both on the ground (133) and through the air (207). Ben DiNucci will be in line for another huge showing!
On the flipside, A.J. McCarron showed just what the Battlehawks offense is capable of when firing on all cylinders late in the game. We’re on the over until linemakers start routinely lining Sea Dragons totals in the low 40s!
St. Louis/Seattle Over 37
DC Defenders vs. Vegas Vipers
Date and Time: Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 7 PM EST
Location: Cashman Field, Las Vegas, NV
TV Coverage: FX
We rode the Vipers to a ticket cash last week in Arlington as 2.5-point road dogs. However, Rod Woodson’s squad made us earn it even after taking a double-digit lead into halftime. For as great Luis Perez looked through the first 30 minutes of play, he looked just as bad over the final 30 up until leading that late-game touchdown drive to get us back within the number. If not for the pair of pick-sixes thrown in the second half, Vegas wins that one going away. You know which team also came up with some crucial turnovers last week? That’s right, the DC Defenders. One of which was taken to the house to help flip the script on the Sea Dragons. While DC’s offense left much to be desired only combining for only 177 total yards, I’m still a big fan of Jordan Ta’amu and D’Eriq King looked pretty spry in his limited reps.
The betting market likes the home team in this one but I’m not so sure. While my future ticket on the Vipers would appreciate them not starting the season 0-2, they can still win this game and not cover. DC still looks to have the moxie it exhibited back in 2020. Vegas is still searching for theirs - Gimme the points!
DC Defenders +3.5
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Orlando Guardians
Date and Time: Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 4 PM EST
Location: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV Coverage: ESPN
So we faded the Brahmas on their home turf last week and came out a victor. It however took nothing short of a miracle for St. Louis to battle back from that 12-point deficit with just over two minutes remaining to pull out the 18-15 win and cover as 2.5-point favorites. In taking that game in, I came away extremely impressed with the way San Antonio went about its business. That team brought the heat defensively in accruing five QB sacks while shutting the Battlehawks down on the ground. On top of that, it got steady production out of the backfield from both Kalen Ballage (84 yards) and Jacques Patrick. Even so, its inability to put 6s on the board instead of 3s ultimately came back to bite them. San Antonio is a team we’ll look to back when taking points moving forward.
As for Orlando, it racked up 356 yards of combined offense against the Roughnecks, but did so in garbage time with the match a blowout from the second quarter on. I think the Guardians are better than they portrayed themselves last week and will put up a stiffer fight in their home opener. This one has the look of a defensive slugfest, so I’ll press my luck and try hitting another Orlando under after failing to do so last week.
San Antonio/Orlando Under 39.5
Arlington Renegades vs. Houston Roughnecks
Date and Time: Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 7 PM EST
Location: TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
TV Coverage: ESPN2
Just know we aren’t getting the best of the number with this selection. The Houston Roughnecks hit the board as juiced 3-point favorites to remain undefeated against the XFL South rival Arlington Renegades. I don’t care! Nothing I saw from last week’s game against the Vipers leads me to believe Bob Stoops troops are prepared for what awaits them on Sunday night.
Now granted, Orlando figures to be one of the worst teams in the XFL, but Houston took no prisoners throwing the ball downfield late in the second half when they were already up three scores. Brandon Silvers looked fully capable leading the charge by completing 26 of 42 passes for 272 yards and a couple scores. He built solid rapports with both Deontay Burnett (8/90/1) and Jontre Kirklin (5/71/1), and Max Borghi looks to be the league’s version of Christian McCaffrey – yeah I said it! Arlington had all kinds of issues running the ball on the Vipers, and the O-Line allowed Drew Plitt to get thrown to the turf three times. Houston just tallied seven sacks of Orlando quarterbacks!
If the Renegades fail to get the ground game going for the second straight week, Houston’s D will tee off and the rout will be on once again!
Houston Roughnecks -5
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
Check out the latest odds at BookMaker
