Seattle Dragons at DC Defenders Odds
- Spread: Defenders -7.5
- Total: 49
- Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET on Saturday
- TV: ABC
Odds as of Friday and via FanDuel, where Action Network users get a risk-free bet up to $500.
Week 1 of the XFL is here!
Find our betting preview for Saturday's Dragons-Defenders matchup, complete with matchup analysis and our experts' projected spread below.
Dragons vs. Defenders Injury Report
Perhaps the biggest concern for the Dragons is left tackle Isaiah Battle (ankle), who did not participate in practice and has been ruled out. More than most teams, the Dragons are expected to lean heavily on the run game throughout the season, so it will be especially important for them to control the line of scrimmage, and they will be challenged to do that without Battle.
Wide receiver Kasen Williams (quad) and tight end Cam Clear (undisclosed) have also been ruled out. Both were expected to play significant roles for the Dragons — Williams is listed as a starter on their depth chart — so their absence will diminish an offense that already seems to be quite limited.
The Defenders are mostly healthy, but they will be without starting wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins (foot), whose absence will allow AAF star Rashad Ross to see more playing time.
Safeties Shamarko Thomas (thigh) and Matt Elam (thigh) were limited early in the week, but both are expected to play, although Thomas is officially questionable. If Thomas were to miss the game, that would be a serious downgrade for the Defenders on the defensive side of the ball. — Ben Rolfe
Key Matchup
Dragons Run Offense vs. Defenders Run Defense
If the Dragons are to win this game, they will need to have success running the ball. Because of the running clock, the run game is less important in the XFL than it is in the NFL, but the Dragons will still need to control the ball with long, extended drives in order to keep the superior and playmaker-stacked Defenders offense on the sideline as much as possible.
Running backs Ja'Quan Gardner, Kenneth Farrow and Trey Williams are probably the best skill position players on the Dragons roster, while quarterback Brandon Silvers and the wide receivers are almost certainly below average. If the Dragons are to move the ball, they will need to rely on their backfield.
And with an effective run game, they might be able to take the pressure off of Silvers by slowing down the opposing pass rush and giving him better throwing lanes.
But if the Defenders run defense is able to shut down the Dragons' ground attack, this game could turn into a blowout rather quickly. — Rolfe
Our Projected Dragon-Defenders Odds
You'll find our experts' consensus spread as well as Sean Koerner's total below. Find their projections for every Week 1 game here.
- Our Experts' Consensus Spread: Defenders -6.8
- Koerner's Projected Total: 46.2
