Heading into Week 7 of the XFL season, the league’s lone winless crew is in jeopardy of being eradicated from playoff competition, and maintaining its hopes alive will not be simple.
The Orlando Guardians head into Saturday’s matchup in opposition to the final remaining undefeated crew within the D.C. Defenders. With a loss, together with a win by the Arlington Renegades, the Guardians can be mathematically eradicated from reaching the postseason.
They will know beforehand in the event that they want a win to remain alive, because the Renegades open up this week’s slate in opposition to the Seattle Sea Dragons on Friday.
On Tuesday, the Renegades traded for Vegas Vipers quarterback Luis Perez in alternate for linebacker Ryan Mueller, a transfer they’re hoping will jump-start their offense in opposition to the Sea Dragons and hold them in line for a postseason berth. The weekend will wrap Sunday afternoon with arguably Week 7’s finest matchup, that includes the Houston Roughnecks and the St. Louis Battlehawks. Each are 4-2 and have explosive go offenses.
Here is what to anticipate in Week 7, together with picks from ESPN sports activities betting insider Doug Kezirian. Betting traces are offered by Caesars Sportsbook.
Friday, 7 p.m. ET | FX, ESPN+Unfold: SEA -4.0 (37.5)
With a four-game profitable streak, the Sea Dragons are rolling. Quarterback Ben DiNucci at the moment leads the XFL in passing yards (1,505) however is having points defending the soccer. Over the previous two video games, he has thrown 4 interceptions, the league’s most in that span. The Renegades hope Perez will spark their struggling passing sport. By six weeks, Arlington quarterbacks have totaled the second-fewest passing yards (854), the fewest landing passes (4) and the second-most interceptions (seven). Perez ought to be an improve, he has extra passing yards (906) and landing passes (eight) this complete season than the Renegades have as a crew.
Gamers to look at: As DiNucci’s turnover whole has risen, his completion proportion has dropped. He accomplished 68% of his passes by means of the primary 4 weeks and solely 51% the previous two weeks. Sea Dragons receiver Jahcour Pearson, who leads the league in receiving yards (448), will look to bounce again after a season-low 18 yards in opposition to the Guardians. Perez’s new essential goal will possible be tight finish Sal Cannella, who has 28 receptions (sixth most).
Kezirian’s choose: Seattle -5. The Seattle Sea Dragons is perhaps the XFL’s second-best crew, though June Jones inexplicably insists on trying 3-point conversions and DiNucci has racked up means too many turnovers. Arlington’s offense is anemic, and it’s the lowest-scoring crew for a purpose.
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN+Unfold: VGS -2.5 (38.5)
The Brahmas want to earn consecutive wins for the primary time this season after beating the Renegades in Week 6 to maintain their playoff hopes alive. A win this week is essential for San Antonio, which is at the moment third within the South division. Its offense has been struggling, averaging 14.8 factors per sport, the second-fewest within the XFL. However this may not be a problem in opposition to the Vipers’ protection, which permits 27 factors per sport, the second most. The Vipers have the league’s second-worst file and can look to bounce again from a 29-6 loss to the Battlehawks. Nonetheless, this is perhaps tough in opposition to the Brahmas’ protection, which permits an XFL-low 14.6 factors per sport
Gamers to look at: Contemplating the entire Vipers’ defensive woes, their offense has scored greater than 25 factors twice this season. The chief of their offense is former NFL receiver Jeff Badet, who leads the league in landing receptions (5) and is fourth in receiving yards (375). Quarterback Brett Hundley can be again for the Vipers after lacking Week 5 due to harm. One of many vivid spots on the Brahmas offense is working again Jacques Patrick, who’s fifth within the XFL in dashing yards (206)
Kezirian’s choose: Vipers/Brahmas underneath 39.5. Vegas has been concerned in some very high-scoring video games, however the Brahmas are the second-lowest-scoring crew. I feel each groups will strategy this sport envisioning a win and thus play conservatively. Plus, Vegas has been dominated in practically each second half, so I doubt they’ll rating a lot after halftime.
#1: Get the W
#2: Paint 🎨 the Metropolis Yellow#OnToVegas#HornsForward | #XFL2023 pic.twitter.com/kkjbtDJayn
— San Antonio Brahmas (@XFLBrahmas) March 28, 2023
Saturday, 6 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN+Unfold: DC -9.5 (45)
On paper, this is without doubt one of the greatest mismatches this season, because the undefeated Defenders are a 9.5-point favourite over the winless Guardians, the most important level unfold within the XFL this season. The Defenders have the highest-scoring offense (28.5 factors per sport), whereas the Guardians permit probably the most factors per sport (29.6). Though the Guardians’ previous three losses have been inside one rating, they’ve been outscored 178-100 this season.
Gamers to look at: The Defenders’ offense has a league-high 986 dashing yards and is led by working again Abram Smith, who leads in dashing yards (527) and is tied for the lead in dashing touchdowns (5). One other key cog of their offense is dual-threat quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, who’s fifth in passing yards (903) and sixth in dashing (203). Although the Guardians are winless, quarterback Quinten Dormady turned the starter in Week 5 and has thrown 499 yards and two landing passes with zero interceptions since. Dormady’s No. 1 goal is tight finish Cody Latimer, who’s second in receiving yards (395) and tied for third in landing receptions (three).
Kezirian’s choose: Defenders/Guardians over 45.5. I actually like Orlando’s choice to make a change at quarterback and begin Dormady. They now have a reliable offense and D.C. can definitely gentle up any protection, along with producing factors with its personal protection. I feel we see a high-scoring affair.
Sunday, 2 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN+Unfold: HOU -3.0 (44)
Battlehawks quarterback AJ McCarron is second in passing yards (1,322) and first in landing passes (14). On the opposite aspect, Roughnecks quarterback Brandon Silvers is third in passing yards (1,300) and is tied for second in landing passes (11). Nonetheless, the Roughnecks protection has struggled the previous two weeks, permitting 58 factors after giving up a league-low 55 within the first 4 weeks. If the Roughnecks cannot repair their latest points, the Battlehawks may gentle up the scoreboard, as they’re second in whole touchdowns (17).
Gamers to look at: Outdoors of their top-tier quarterbacks, each groups can depend on their working sport as Battlehawks working again Brian Hill is second in dashing (317) and Roughnecks working again Max Borghi is tied for first in general touchdowns (5). The Roughnecks might want to depend on defensive again Ajene Harris, who leads in interceptions (5), to assist sluggish McCarron’s aerial assault.
Kezirian’s choose: Battlehawks +3. I’m satisfied Houston is overrated, though Wade Phillips is an skilled and elite coach. I nonetheless like what Anthony Becht is doing and St. Louis improves practically each week. I will seize the factors.
It is about to be a GOOOOOD day 😏 pic.twitter.com/avg30Sy6mo
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) March 30, 2023
