Trent Reinsmith
The second week of the 2023 XFL season is upon us with one game on Thursday, one contest on Saturday and two matchups on Sunday. The St. Louis Battlehawks and the DC Defenders opened their seasons at 1-0 in the XFL North, while the Arlington Renegades and Houston Roughnecks are the 1-0 teams in the XFL South.
Before we look at the Week 2 matchups for the 2023 XFL season, check out our picks to win the 2023 XFL Championship as well as our guide to betting on Super Bowl 58.
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Seattle Sea Dragons picks
| Teams |  |  |  |
| St. Louis Battlehawks | +140 | +135 | +137 |
| Seattle Sea Dragons | -165 | -155 | -166 |
The Seattle Sea Dragons host the St. Louis Battlehawks during Week 2 of the 2023 XFL season. The game takes place at Lumen Field in Seattle and FX will broadcast the Thursday night event.
The Battlehawks were down by 12 points in the fourth quarter of their Week 1 matchup against the San Antonio Brahmas, but managed to come back and win that game 18-15. That fourth quarter offense from St. Louis was noteworthy, but the team’s first three quarters left something to be desired.
As for the Seattle Sea Dragons, they played a tightly contested game against the DC Defenders in Week 1, but fell short, losing 22-18. Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci had 282 yards on the game, but he was also responsible for three turnovers in the loss.
Best bet for St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Seattle Sea Dragons: Sea Dragons to beat the Battlehawks
DC Defenders vs. Vegas Vipers picks
| Teams | | | |
| DC Defenders | +145 | +150 | +142 |
| Vegas Vipers | -170 | -170 | -172 |
Saturday’s Week 2 XFL game features the DC Defenders vs. the Vegas Vipers. The game airs on FX at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Defenders played a defense-first game against the Sea Dragons in Week 1 and it paid off, but the win was not without some nail-biting for the DC club as Seattle was close to scoring before a fumble put the game away for the winning club. Defenders QB, Jordan Ta’amu went eight for 19 for 86 yards in Week 1. Because of that performance, head coach Reggie Barlow might opt for more playing time for D’Eriq King in Week 2.
The Vipers fell to the Arlington Renegades in Week 1 XFL action, losing by a score of 22-20 after failing to score on a two-point conversion as the game came to a close. Vipers QB, Luis Perez started the first game for Vegas and he put up 249 passing yards and three touchdowns. However, Perez threw two pick-sixes, which helped the Renegades get the win. Perez could get the start over Brett Hundley in Week 2 following his performance in the team’s losing effort against Arlington.
The Vipers have some good receivers in Jeff Badet, Geronimo Allison and Martavis Bryant and the team’s more effective offense should lead them to a win in Week 2.
Best bet for DC Defenders vs. Vegas Vipers: Vipers to beat the Defenders.
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Orlando Guardians picks
| Teams | | | |
| San Antonio Brahmas | -160 | -160 | -166 |
| Orlando Guardians | +135 | +140 | +137 |
The first of two Sunday games on the Week 2 XFL schedule features the San Antonio Brahmas vs. the Orlando Guardians. The 4 p.m. ET game goes down on ESPN.
San Antonio lost to the Battlehawks in Week 1 by a score of 18-15. The team gave up 15 points in the final minute of the game in that loss. San Antonio coach Hines Ward will obviously hope to avoid an outcome like that in Week 2. Brahmas quarterback Jack Coan went 25 for 36 for 207 yards and one touchdown in the loss. Meanwhile, running back Kalen Ballage put up 84 yards.
Orlando enters this game on the heels of a 33-12 loss to the Roughnecks in Week 1. No other team lost by more points in Week 1. Orlando head coach Terrell Buckley gave starting quarterback Paxton Lynch the hook after three quarters and replaced him with Quenten Dormady. It’s unclear who will be under center in Week 2 as neither QB looked great in the Week 1 defeat. In fact, third quarterback Deondre Francois might be in the mix for the Guardians.
The Guardians’ offense is lacking. Expect San Antonio to exploit that weakness.
Best bet for San Antonio Brahmas vs. Orlando Guardians: Brahmas to beat Guardians.
Arlington Renegades vs. Houston Roughnecks picks
| Teams | | | |
| Arlington Renegades | +160 | +165 | +168 |
| Houston Roughnecks | -185 | -190 | -205 |
The late game on Sunday features the Arlington Renegades vs. the Houston Roughnecks. The matchup, which ESPN carries, begins at 7 p.m. ET. Arlington’s starting QB, Drew Plitt, went 19 for 25 in the team’s 22-20 win over the Vipers, but his yardage total of 192 yards and his three sacks left something to be desired. I expect a better performance from Plitt and tight end Sal Cannella in Week 2.
Houston’s club lived up to its Roughnecks monicker in Week 1, dominating the Guardians with their defense. While the D put a hurting on their opponent, Houston’s offense also looked good. Quarterback Brandon Silvers threw for 272 yards and the team totaled 337 yards on offense for the game, which they won 33-12.
Houston might be the most complete team in the XFL right now and they will beat Arlington in Week 2.
Best bet for Arlington Renegades vs. Houston Roughnecks: Houston to beat Arlington.
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