Opening odds for Week 3 XFL schedule

The XFL opens up Week 3 this coming weekend, and we’re starting to see separation in the point spreads. With a pair of 2-0 teams and the return of Landry Jones coupled with the Tampa Bay Vipers not being legit like some thought, oddsmakers are adjusting lines and we’re seeing more bigger lines.

DraftKings Sportsbook posted their opening lines for Week 3 of the XFL season, and we have two spreads over a touchdown, and a third getting close.

Houston Roughnecks @ Tampa Bay Vipers

Point spread: Houston -6
Money line: HOU -240, TB +190

Houston has the best offense in the XFL thus far. P.J. Walker has been the best QB, and has made regular connections with wide receivers Cam Phillips and Kahlil Lewis, while running back James Butler is the second highest scoring running back to date. Houston’s defense has been shaky at times, but they face a Tampa Bay squad that has been brutal on offense, and struggled to get much of anything going consistently on defense. It’s hard to bet against Marc Trestman given his previous success in alternate leagues, but the Vipers have shown no reason to trust them.

Dallas Renegades @ Seattle Dragons

Point spread: DAL -4.5
Money line: DAL -200, SEA, +165

Landry Jones made his debut in Week 2 after a knee injury kept him from playing in Week 1. The Air Raid offense looked better with Jones running it, which bodes well moving forward. There are some questions about that defense, but the offense should be consistently productive. Seattle is 1-1, but they beat a bad Tampa squad this past weekend after an ugly second half cost them against DC. Only two weeks in, Seattle seems like a team that is worse than some of the 0-2 squads.

New York Guardians @ St. Louis BattleHawks

Point spread: STL -9.5
Money line: NY +330, STL -435

This line is fascinating. Entering the season, the BattleHawks had the second worst title odds and one of the lowest preseason win totals. They beat Dallas in Week 1 and then lost to Houston in Week 2. Considering Dallas did not have Landry Jones playing, it’s hard to firmly judge what to make of St. Louis. On the other hand, New York quarterback Matt McGloin was a disaster in Week 2 — but he was facing a DC defense that might be the best in the league. This line seems a little too high given Dallas seems better than what we saw in Week 1.

DC Defenders @ Los Angeles Wildcats

Point spread: DC -8.5
Money line: DC -360, LA +280

The Defenders are unbeaten behind quarterback Cardale Jones and arguably the best pass rush in the league. LA got Josh Johnson back after he missed Week 1 with a thigh injury, and after a slow start against Dallas, he was solid in the fourth quarter. This could be a big test for the DC defense, and this line might be a bit high given Johnson’s upside.

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