Week 1 has arrived and so have our best bets! A couple of notes before we dive into the game. We read about how the new rules will affect betting in this 2023 season, but who would have expected the oddsmakers to overcorrect as much as they have. In week 1 of 2020, the average total sat at 51.5 whereas here, in 2023, the average for week 1 total sits at a measly 36 points. That is a major correction.
There also has already been some major movement. None of the games started with lines over 3 points, and now just one game remains within a 3 point spread. With that said, 25% of games throughout the 2020 season finished within 3 points.
Let’s get into our bets.
Vegas Vipers o36.5 @ Arlington Renegades -3.5
This is a banger of a game right out of the
gate. These teams are XFL Bet’s top two teams and we are going to quickly see what these teams are made of. I’m really interested to see how both teams operate, and feel that this will be a back and forth game until the end.
Surprisingly, Drew Plitt will be getting the nod over Kyle Sloter as the starter for the Renegades. Nonetheless, I think the Renegades have enough talent and a home-field advantage to warrant a 3.5 point spread.
The Vipers easily could win this game. We are going to stay away from this game and hope to get a better understanding of these team’s talents for week 2 and beyond.
Best Bet: No best bet. Lean o36.5
Orlando Guardians o35.5 @ Houston Roughnecks -3.5
The Guardians begin the season as our last ranked team while we project the Roughnecks to have some struggles this season as well.
The difference between these teams comes down to the defense. XFL Bets is high on their defense and we will find out if these claims are true right away as they take on this Guardian’s offense that is ran by Paxton Lynch.
The Guardians are going to need their defense to step up as well as they take on Brandon Silver’s and this Roughnecks offense. While not a top projected offense, they still are going to have their hands full defending Jontre Kirklin and Deontay Burnett on the outside.
We don’t have a great read on this game as well. Let’s revisit this game later.
Best Bet: No best bet. Lean u35.5
St. Louis BattleHawks -3 @ San Antonio Brahmas o36.5
The BattleHawks won’t have their home field advantage but, on paper, they are clearly the better team. I’d take AJ McCarron over Jack Coan any day of the week. Their skill players are more talented too while their defenses are about equal.
Coaching will be a big part of this game, but I like Anthony Becht to pull a win out in his first game. However, if Hines Ward has his team ready to go, this could be a different story.
In the end, talent takes over. The line should be closer to 6 points, and we are going to take advantage of that here in week 1.
Best Bet: St. Louis BattleHawks -3
Seattle Sea Dragons -1.5 @ DC Defenders o35.5
This will be another great game in week 1 of the 2023 XFL season, and the point spread confirms the oddsmakers think the same thing. At basically a pick ‘em, both these teams have a real shot at starting the year off with a win.
Nonetheless, I like points in this game. The Sea Dragons have a top duo with Ben Dinucci and Josh Gordon on offense while the Defenders have one of the best QBs in the league on the same field.
While both offenses show signs of being very productive, both defenses have question marks next to them currently.
Look for Jim Haslett and June Jones to have the Sea Dragons ready while
Reggie Barlow will have the Defenders in a similar position. Give me the points.
Best Bet: o35.5