Week 7 was a reminder that fans and pundits might not know as much as they think. Specifically, the undefeated DC Defenders lost to the previously winless Orlando Guardians in a shootout. Can they rebound against the hottest team in the XFL in Week 8? They’ll close the week in what could be the game of the week. Meanwhile, the Houston Roughnecks looked like the top team in the league through the first four weeks but have lost three in a row. Will they turn it around this week?
XFL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Week 8 (2023)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Houston Roughnecks
The Roughnecks are in a tailspin, having lost three consecutive games. Still, those losses were to the 5-2 Seattle Sea Dragons, the 6-1 DC Defenders, and the 5-2 St. Louis Battlehawks. The North Division looks leaps and bounds better than the South Division, but Houston is still the class of the South Division.
They’re the only team in their division with a winning record (4-3). More importantly, they’re the only club in the South Division with a positive point differential. They haven’t had any problem feasting on cupcakes. The 2-5 San Antonio Brahmas are a cupcake, scoring the second-fewest points (101) in the XFL and allowing 114 points.
The Roughnecks beat the Brahmas 22-13 in Week 3. It’s unclear if quarterback Brandon Silvers will return from the injury that sidelined him in Week 7. Regardless, Cole McDonald, despite his struggles last week, is a better option than the Brahmas will use as their signal caller.
San Antonio’s quarterback situation is dire. Kurt Benkert is out for the remainder of the season because of a rib injury and the Brahmas claimed Paxton Lynch off of waivers. The team could use previously ineffective Jack Coan and Jawon Pass in tandem but they could also rush Lynch into action. San Antonio’s quarterback will find the sledding tough against Houston’s talented defense, whatever path they choose. The Roughnecks’ defense can carry them to victory, even if the offense cannot recapture their early-season mojo.
Pick: Houston Roughnecks -5.0 Points (-110)
Seattle Sea Dragons vs. DC Defenders
The Sea Dragons have won five consecutive games after two heartbreaking losses to open the 2023 season. The first loss came from a lost fumble on the goal line against the Defenders in Week 1, resulting in a 22-18 Seattle defeat to their division rival. However, the Sea Dragons had 331 total yards versus 177 for the Defenders, 20 first downs compared to 12, and turned the ball over three times compared to only one.
The Sea Dragons killed themselves and moved the ball more effectively than the Defenders. Now, the Defenders enter the rematch after making the previously winless Guardians look like an offensive juggernaut. Moreover, the Sea Dragons have the home-field advantage this time. It would be unwise to throw the baby out with the bathwater and overreact to one loss by the Defenders. Still, the Sea Dragons are white-hot, and the addition of Phillip Lindsay can add a new wrinkle to Seattle’s offense.
Pick: Seattle Sea Dragons -1.5 points (-110)
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.