In case you are already lacking soccer, you then’re in luck, as a result of a brand new league kicks off this weekend. The XFL is back, and there is lots to be intrigued by this spring. Rod Woodson and Hines Ward are new head coaches, there are some new rule adjustments to keep watch over after which the rosters embrace some names all soccer followers will know.
Former All-Professional wideout Josh Gordon is a member of the Seattle Sea Dragons, former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Martavis Bryant is with the Vegas Vipers and even one of the vital well-known NFL punters from the previous decade returns to the sphere, as Marquette King is booting the ball for the Arlington Renegades.
Probably the most enjoyable elements about this league is that we do not know what to anticipate. So naturally, we’re going to blindly gamble on it. Each week, I will be posting my ATS picks for the XFL on CBSSports.com. Let’s go forward and soar into Week 1. To view our XFL Week 1 Energy Rankings, click on here.
All odds are by way of Caesars Sportsbook
Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (-2.5)
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
That is Bob Stoops vs. Rod Woodson. Stoops’ Renegades may very well be the preseason No. 1 staff, as they’ve a formidable teaching employees, a quarterback in Kyle Sloter and a star tight finish in Sal Canella — who performed with Sloter within the USFL. I’ll say, Sloter did not play in addition to I assumed he would for the New Orleans Breakers — despite the fact that he was named All-USFL. Sloter threw the second-most interceptions with 12, in comparison with simply 9 touchdowns. That mentioned, I nonetheless consider he has potential, and may very well be one of many higher signal-callers.
Vipers quarterback Luis Perez is a spring league veteran, and he has just a few notable targets like Geronimo Allison, Jeff Badet and Martavis Bryant. However I am to see how good this protection is. That unit has former NFL sack chief Vic Beasley coming off the sting. Most will seemingly have the Renegades successful this recreation, however I’ll exit on a limb and take the underdog Vipers. Coach Woodson begins the season off with an upset victory.
The decide: Vipers +2.5
Projected rating: Vipers 24-21
Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (-2)
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
For those who go searching at totally different XFL energy rankings, nearly all of sportswriters predict the Guardians to be the worst staff within the league. Whereas which means completely nothing, I see the place they’re getting that from. The quarterback room consists of Deondre Francois, Quinten Dormady and Paxton Lynch. Orlando does have some playmakers at large receiver, nevertheless. Cody Latimer and Eli Rogers could also be gamers you acknowledge, after which JaVonta Payton led the SEC with 22.9 yards per catch in 2021 at Tennessee (min. one reception per recreation).
I am unsure the Roughnecks have an elite quarterback room both, however Wade Phillips is an efficient coach. For those who’re a Maryland Terrapins fan, the Roughnecks are the staff for you (behind the D.C. Defenders, after all). They’ve 4 former Terps within the secondary with Sean Davis, A.J. Hendy, William Possible and Jordan Mosley. The Roughnecks had been the XFL’s finest staff in 2020, going an ideal 5-0 earlier than the league shut down attributable to COVID-19. I am going to lay the factors with the favorites.
The decide: Roughnecks -2
Projected rating: Roughnecks 16-7
St. Louis Battlehawks (-2) at San Antonio Brahmas
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
A.J. McCarron is probably going going to be main the Battlehawks into … battle, and I believe he might impress some individuals on this league. He has a giant goal in Hakeem Butler out of Iowa State, who was a fourth-round decide again in 2019, however did not catch on on the subsequent stage. As for the Brahmas, you will acknowledge working again Kalen Ballage and naturally head coach Hines Ward. Some suppose San Antonio may very well be an underrated staff. Perhaps it’s, however I’ll lean to McCarron in Week 1.
The decide: Battlehawks -2
Projected rating: Battlehawks 23-20
Seattle Sea Dragons at DC Defenders (PICK)
Sunday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The Defenders are the No. 1 staff in Bryan DeArdo’s power rankings, so I’ll need to roll with them. I have not watched a lot of quarterback Eric Dungey, in order that’s going to be an attention-grabbing storyline to observe. I am curious to see if he is the very best quarterback on roster with Jordan Ta’amu and D’Eriq King there as nicely, however I am selecting D.C. due to its protection. Gregg Williams is a really well-known NFL assistant/villain, after which linebacker Reggie Northrup is a veteran linebacker and MMA fighter that takes the follow discipline with a cigarette in his mouth.
I believe Seattle is an attention-grabbing staff — particularly with Josh Gordon at receiver. Ben DiNucci may very well be a strong quarterback as nicely. Jim Haslett is an skilled defensive thoughts, however I’ll journey with the Defenders.
The decide: DC Defenders PICK
Projected rating: Defenders 14-13
