If you’re already missing football, then you’re in luck because a new league starts this weekend. The XFL is back and there’s a lot to get excited about this spring. Rod Woodson and Hines Ward are new head coaches, there are some new rule changes to watch out for and the squads also feature some names that all football fans will recognize.
Former All-Pro 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 most famous NFL players of the past decade is returning to the field as Marquette King boots the ball for the Arlington Renegades.
One of the funniest aspects of this league is that we don’t know what to expect. So of course we’re going to play it blindly. Each week I will be posting my ATS picks for the XFL on CBSSports.com. Let’s go ahead and jump into week 1. To view our XFL Week 1 Power Rankings, click here.
All odds are via Caesars Sportsbook
Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (-2.5)
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
This is Bob Stoops vs. Rod Woodson. The Stoops’ Renegades could be preseason’s No. 1 team as they have an impressive coaching staff, a quarterback in Kyle Sloter and a star tight end in Sal Canella – who played with Sloter in the USFL. I have to say Sloter didn’t play as well as I thought he would for the New Orleans Breakers – despite being named All-USFL. Sloter threw the second most interceptions with 12 compared to just nine touchdowns. Despite that, I still think he has potential and could be one of the better signal callers.
Vipers quarterback Luis Perez is a Spring League veteran and has some notable goals in the likes of Geronimo Allison, Jeff Badet and Martavis Bryant. But I’m curious how good this defense is. This unit has former NFL sack leader Vic Beasley coming off the edge. Most likely, the Renegades will win this game, but I’ll get on my feet and take on the underdog Vipers. Coach Woodson starts the season with a surprise win.
The selection: Vipers +2.5
Estimated score: Vipers 24-21
Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (-2)
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
If you look around at various XFL performance rankings, the majority of sportswriters expect the Guardians to be the worst team in the league. While that means absolutely nothing, I see where they get that from. The Quarterback Room consists of Deondre Francois, Quinten Dormady and Paxton Lynch. However, Orlando has some playmakers at wide receiver. Cody Latimer and Eli Rogers may be players you know, and then JaVonta Payton led the SEC in 2021 in Tennessee with 22.9 yards per catch (at least one reception per game).
Also, I’m not sure the Roughnecks have elite quarterback space, but Wade Phillips is a good coach. If you’re a Maryland Terrapins fan, the Roughnecks are the team for you (behind the DC Defenders, of course). They have four former terps in secondary school with Sean Davis, AJ Hendy, William Likely and Jordan Mosley. The Roughnecks were the XFL’s best team of 2020, scoring a perfect 5-0 before the league was shut down due to COVID-19. I will put the points with the favorites.
The selection: Brawlers -2
Estimated score: Brawlers 16-7
St Louis Battlehawks (-2) at San Antonio Brahmas
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
AJ McCarron will likely lead the Battlehawks into battle and I think he could impress some people in this league. He has a big target in Iowa State’s Hakeem Butler, who was selected in the fourth round in 2019 but failed to advance to the next level. With the Brahmas, you’ll recognize running back Kalen Ballage and, of course, head coach Hines Ward. Some think San Antonio could be an underrated team. Maybe it is, but I’ll lean on McCarron in week 1.
The selection: Battlehawks-2
Estimated score: Battlehawks 23-20
Seattle Sea Dragons at DC Defenders (PICK)
Sunday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The defenders are the #1 team on Bryan DeArdo’s power rankings, so I have to roll with them. I haven’t seen much of quarterback Eric Dungey so this will be an interesting story to follow. I’m curious if he’s also the best quarterback on the roster with Jordan Ta’amu and D’Eriq King, but I’m picking DC for his defense. Gregg Williams is a well-known NFL assistant/villain, and linebacker Reggie Northrup is a veteran linebacker and MMA fighter who takes to the practice field with a cigarette in his mouth.
I think Seattle is an interesting team – especially with Josh Gordon on receiver. Ben DiNucci could also be a solid quarterback. Jim Haslett is an experienced defender, but I will ride with the defenders.
The selection: VOTE DC Defenders
Estimated score: Defenders 14-13