The XFL rolls into Week 7 as we inch ever closer to the playoffs.
Betting analyst John LanFranca is eyeing two games that will be played on Saturday: Brahmas vs. Vipers and Defenders vs. Guardians. He’s got a pick on the spread and a play on the total.
Check out game previews and picks for XFL Week 7 below.
D.C. Defenders vs. Orlando Guardians
Kickoff: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2, ESPN+
| Defenders Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9 -110 | 46.5 -110o / -110u | -450 |
| Guardians Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9 -110 | 46.5 -110o / -110u | +360 |
John LanFranca: This total opened at 43.5 and quickly moved up to 45.5 for good reason. The Guardians played slightly better defense a week ago in their loss to the Sea Dragons, giving up only 26 points after grabbing a red-zone interception to save a touchdown in the second quarter. That was their second-best performance of the season, yet the game still went over the total midway through the fourth.
Now this defense will face off with the league's best offense. The Defenders will score at least 30 points, and will likely approach 40. The Guardians' defensive personnel will be completely outmatched here.
The important part of this handicap is the Guardians offense, which has shown signs of life. Scoring 19-plus in two straight games may not seem like much, but it coincides with the benching of Paxton Lynch.
If Orlando can reach 14-17 points, this game will soar over the total. A 38-17 outcome is more likely than a 28-13 type game.
Pick: Over 45.5 (play to 46) |
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Vegas Vipers
Kickoff: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2, ESPN+
| Brahmas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 39.5 -110o / -110u | +130 |
| Vipers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 39.5 -110o / -110u | -155 |
John LanFranca: This will be the third consecutive week I am backing the Brahmas. Despite the turmoil at QB, I see reason for optimism in this game.
San Antonio's defense will be the best unit on the field on Saturday. The Renegades and Sea Dragons combined to score only 34 points in three games against them. Vegas' offense does not pose a threat here, with Brett Hundley fully entrenched as the starting quarterback to go along with a rushing attack that is last in explosive runs and second to last in total rushing yards.
But the Vipers defense is the real reason I am fading Vegas. They have given up 29 or more points in four consecutive games and probably shouldn't be favored over any team in the XFL outside of the Guardians. Vegas has yet to claim victory against a team not named the Guardians this season; I will gladly grab three points with a team I feel has the better chance to turn their season around.
Pick: Brahmas +3 (play to +2) |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
