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XFL Odds & Best Bets Today: Schedule, Picks for Week 1

Rodrigo Villagomez

Last Updated: February 17, 2023 3:56 PM EST • 3 min 27 sec read.

Goal post seen before an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images via AFP.
Goal post seen before an XFL game at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images via AFP.

Football is not over and this weekend provides more action from the gridiron. Enjoy opening weekend with our XFL best bets for Week 1 based on the best XFL odds.

Football fans do not have to be disappointed now that the NFL season has ended, as the XFL returns for what everyone hopes will be a full 2023 season. Eight teams will compete for the opportunity to be the second champion in league history. 

There are several new faces and teams in new places this year. Even still, we should be in for 12 more weeks of action-packed and exciting football. With The Rock and his long time business partner Dany Garcia at the helm, this version of the XFL looks to have staying power. Plus, it’s the perfect chance to keep betting on the game. 

Here are our best XFL bets for Week 1 (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Check out our XFL Championship odds

XFL Week 1 schedule and odds

(odds via DraftKings)

  • Vegas Vipers vs. Arlington Renegades (-3)
  • Orlando Guardians vs. Houston Roughnecks (-3)
  • St. Louis Battlehawks (-2.5) vs. San Antonio Brahmas
  • Seattle Sea Dragons vs. D.C. Defenders (-1)   

Week 1 XFL best bets

  • Spread: Renegades -3 (-110 via DraftKings) vs. Vipers ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Spread: Roughnecks -2.5 (-110 via BetMGM) vs. Guardians  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Spread: Battlehawks -2 (-110 via Caesars) vs. Brahmas ⭐⭐⭐
  • Moneyline: Sea Dragons (+100 via DraftKings) vs. Defenders ⭐⭐⭐

XFL top picks for Week 1

Spread: Renegades -3 vs. Vipers (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Arlington holds an early advantage in this matchup thanks in large part to their head coach. Former Oklahoma Sooners football coach Bob Stoops will roam the sidelines again for the Renegades after doing so in 2020. He will have one of the league’s most talented running backs in De’Veon Smith at his disposal as well, which should help his offense control the ball in this game. This is important given the short preseason.

Las Vegas will welcome their second XFL team since the 2001 season. This time, Rod Woodson will serve as the Vipers head coach. His tenure has already endured a quarterback controversy during the preseason. Las Vegas had selected former USFL quarterback Bryan Scott as their signal caller, only to turn around and sign NFL veteran Brett Hundley a few weeks later. He’ll lead a young squad that will need time to gel.  

Spread: Roughnecks -2.5 vs. Guardians (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Houston was the only team without a loss when the XFL was forced to shut down their 2020 season after five games. They were led by quarterback P.J. Walker and his favorite wide receiver Cam Phillips. This year, spring football veteran Brandon Silvers will start under center for the Roughnecks. He’ll have Wade Phillips as his head coach who brings with him decades of professional football coaching experience to the sidelines.

Orlando has its fair share of recognizable names. Former Denver Broncos first-round pick Paxton Lynch is under center. Also, one-time Denver receiver Cody Latimer will line up alongside his former quarterback. However, they will have to attempt to pick up the slack for a largely inexperienced defense. This puts them at a disadvantage early in the season and even more so in Week 1.

Spread: Battlehawks -2 vs. Brahmas (-110 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐

St. Louis is excited to bring back their beloved Battlehawks for a second run at an XFL title. They will be led by former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, who is anxious to get back to the field after several starts and stops as a player. He will provide some much-needed veteran leadership to a relatively young roster and a first-time head coach in Anthony Becht.

San Antonio comes into the season as the only brand new team in the XFL taking the place of the L.A. Wildcats from the 2020 season. Their roster is not the most electric and head coach Hines Ward will have an uphill battle to get into the win column early in the year. They will hand the ball to former Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan to start the season.

Moneyline: Sea Dragons vs. Defenders (+100 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

Seattle will make its second appearance in the XFL this season, adding an aquatic flair to their former logo. The Sea Dragons have named former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci as their starter for Week 1. He will work with former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon to get an early offensive edge in this game. 

Books have the Defenders as the favorite in this game largely due to having Jordan Ta’amu at quarterback. The one-time St. Louis Battlehawks signal caller threw for over 1,000 yards in his five XFL games. Last season, he led the USFL in passing yards (2,014) and passing touchdowns (14). However, he is surrounded by inexperienced players on both sides of the ball, which will make it hard to win this game.

XFL best bets made 2/16/2023 at Noon ET.

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Written By:
Rodrigo Villagomez
Rod Villagomez has been a sports writer, broadcaster, and podcaster for over 15 years. He has a passion for football whether it’s the NFL, CFL, USFL, XFL, IFL, X League, or Fan Controlled. He’s also been a fan of NASCAR for almost 20 years and enjoyed watching his favorite driver, Jimmie Johnson win seven Cup Series Championships. As a betting analyst for Sportsbook Review, Rod brings his passion for the sports betting community to any assignment be it football, stock car racing, horse racing, or even, the Oscars. If you can bet on it, he is ready to break down the odds for you.