XFL Week 10 Betting Preview: Final Two Playoff Spots Remain Up for Grabs
D.C., Houston Locked Up Top Seeds Heading into Final Week
With multiple teams still in contention for the final two playoff spots, Week 10 in the XFL is packed with drama. D.C. and Houston have already locked up the top seeds in the North and South Divisions, respectively, while St. Louis, Seattle, Arlington and San Antonio all remain in the hunt.
To break it all down, let’s dive in to our XFL Week 10 betting preview.
Orlando Guardians at St. Louis Battlehawks
Date & Time:
Location: The Dome at America’s Center; St. Louis, Mo.
Streaming: ESPN
Orlando (1-8) has been much more competitive after a dismal start, though it has little to show for its effort. After handing D.C. its only loss in Week 7, the Guardians have lost the last two games by a combined four points. Now, with its fate already sealed, Orlando will look to play spoiler against St. Louis in the regular season’s final week.
St. Louis (6-3) could’ve clinched the North Division’s second playoff spot with a win last week but squandered that opportunity in a 30-12 loss to Seattle. Former Alabama star A.J. McCarron threw for 186 yards and two interceptions. If the Battlehawks — an 8.5-point favorite — defeat the Guardians and Seattle falls to Las Vegas, St. Louis will advance to the playoffs. However, should St. Louis lose, it would need the Vipers to pull off the upset.
The over/under is set at 48 points, the highest total this week. Keep in mind, Orlando has allowed the second-most passing yards on average (223.6) of any 2023 XFL team.
D.C. Defenders at San Antonio Brahmas
Date & Time:
Location: Alamodome; San Antonio, Texas
Streaming: ABC
The owners of the XFL’s best record, D.C. (8-1) has locked up a playoff spot and may look to rest starters the final week of the regular season. Regardless of who plays quarterback (Jordan Ta’amu or D’Eriq King), the Defenders will have an obvious talent advantage on San Antonio (3-6).
The Brahmas are averaging only 15.7 points per game, though they put forth a much better showing in a 25-23 win over Orlando in Week 9. Jack Coan threw for 302 yards and one touchdown on 25-of-31 passing.
Despite its 3-6 record, San Antonio still has an outside shot at the South Division’s second playoff spot. But it will have to beat D.C. as a 3-point underdog and hope for a little bit of luck elsewhere. Can it happen? Sure. Will it? Ehh.
The over/under is 42, matching Houston/Arlington for the lowest projected point total in our XFL Week 10 betting preview.
Houston Roughnecks at Arlington Renegades
Date & Time:
Location: Choctaw Stadium; Arlington, Texas
Streaming: ESPN
At 6-3, Houston has already locked up the best record in the South Division. Like D.C., head coach Wade Phillips could simply choose to rest his starters and get healthy for the playoffs. Of course, that doesn’t mean he will.
The Roughnecks have been streaky this season. They started 4-0, then lost three straight games to fall back to the pack. However, Houston responded with wins over San Antonio and Vegas the last two weeks. Max Borghi and Brycen Alleyne stepped up in the 28-21 victory against the Vipers, rushing for a combined 112 yards and one touchdown.
Arlington (4-5) will lock up a playoff spot if it can take care of business as a 1-point favorite. The Renegades are coming off a 28-26 overtime loss to D.C., in which De’Veon Smith ran for two scores.
Vegas Vipers at Seattle Sea Dragons
Date & Time:
Location: Lumen Field; Seattle, Wash.
Streaming: ESPN2
Seattle’s playoff fate is dare we say, complicated. If the Sea Dragons — an 8.5-point favorite — win and St. Louis loses, Seattle will grab the No. 2 spot in the North Division. However, if the Sea Dragons (6-3) and Battlehawks both win, St. Louis will need to score 19 more points than Seattle this week and finish first in total points.
Thus, it’ll behoove head coach Jim Haslett’s team to run it up offensively. The over/under, by the way, is set at 47 in our XFL Week 10 betting preview. The Sea Dragons are currently tied for third in the XFL in total touchdowns with 25, two more than St. Louis. Quarterback Ben DiNucci leads the league with 2,332 passing yards.
At 2-7, Vegas is simply playing out the string.
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