SATURDAY
Los Angeles Wildcats at NY Guardians
PICK: Los Angeles -7
Another week, another step backwards for the Guardians, who are without starting QB Matt McGloin, the former Raiders QB. Los Angeles stunned the DC Defenders last week, 39-9 in a game in which the then-unbeaten Defenders were heavy favorites. LA continues to roll here against a MetLife Stadium occupant that may be even worse than the Jets and Giants, losing by 20 last week and 27 the week before that.
Seattle Dragons at St. Louis Battlehawks
PICK: St. Louis -12
This is a big number and it’s tempting to go the other way, but St. Louis is gathering steam, playing at home, and facing a low-scoring Dragons team that should struggle to keep this one close. If 12 is too rich for you, Seattle could do just enough to nudge this one north of the 38.5 number.
SUNDAY
Houston Roughnecks at Dallas Renegades
PICK: Houston -1
The Texas Bowl is the game of the year so far for the XFL, featuring the lone unbeaten team in Houston and its likely MVP QB PJ Walker, against a Dallas team showing signs of living up to the bookmakers’ pre-season faith in them to win the whole thing. Could easily go either way, but it says here that P.J. Walker is 2 points better than his Dallas QB counterpart Landry Jones. Leery of the close spread? An over 50 play definitely looks possible.
DC Defenders at Tampa Bay Vipers
PICK: DC -2.5
This line is probably an overreaction both to DC’s shocking loss last week where they just didn’t show up, and Tampa’s unexpectedly strong showing against Houston. Cardale Jones rebounds from his first loss with a win in sunny Florida.