The XFL is back for its third attempt as a professional football league. Only a week after Super Bowl 57, the XFL will open their season with two games on February 18th and February 19th.
Not only are there odds for each game of the opening weekend, but the best XFL betting sites also have a futures bet up for the 2023 XFL Championship odds.
The first two attempts to run the XFL met different fates. The inaugural season was in the early 2000s and it went up in flames after just one year. It was a failed attempt to bring pro wrestling to the football field.
The second run showed more promise, but was derailed by the pandemic in 2020. The XFL was forced to file for bankruptcy due to economic hardships1. It was a bittersweet ending to the league after a second season that saw a better on-field product and decent TV ratings2.
Fortunately for XFL fans, Dany Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and RedBird Capital Partners purchased the league for $15 million a few months after McMahon filed for bankruptcy3. Since then, the hype has been slowly gaining momentum as The Rock has done his part in promoting the retooled league.
The third edition of the XFL will feature eight teams with a few new squads like The Vegas Vipers and San Antonio Brahmas. However, there will be a nice blend of notable football personalities coaching and former NFL players on each roster.
Let’s huddle up to examine these XFL Championship odds, courtesy of Bovada, and lay the smackdown on these predictions.
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2023 XFL Championship Odds
XFL Championship Betting Odds Courtesy of Bovada:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| St. Louis BattleHawks | +350 |
| Seattle Sea Dragons | +400 |
| Arlington Renegades | +400 |
| Vegas Vipers | +450 |
| Orlando Guardians | +500 |
| San Antonio Brahmas | +550 |
| Houston Roughnecks | +600 |
| DC Defenders | +650 |
What do the 2023 XFL Championship betting odds tell us at first glance?
Our initial impression is that there should be plenty of parity this season. At least according to the XFL Championship odds at Bovada.
There is not much separating the skill level of these teams. No matter which squad you bet on to win the XFL Championship, there is going to be a nice payout at no worse than +350. That is to be expected in the first season of a league.
After we get through a few weeks of the schedule, expect to see movement with these football odds. Eventually, there will be a clearer picture of who the favorite is this season. As it stands going into Week 1, the St. Louis BattleHawks are slightly favored to win the XFL Championship.
The Battlehawks are led by former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, A.J. McCarron. McCarron bounced around in the NFL and was never able to establish himself as more than a journeyman. He is expected to be one of the best quarterbacks in the XFL this year.
The Seattle Sea Dragons and Arlington Renegades are the next likeliest teams to win the XFL Championship, according to Bovada. Seattle and Arlington are not far behind the BattleHawks at +400 to win the XFL Championship in 2023.
Led by former Ole Miss Rebel, Jordan Ta’amu, the DC Defenders have the longest odds to win at +650. That said, there are only +300 odds between the BattleHawks and Defenders.
XFL Championship Predictions
The following is a list of teams that we think can compete for the 2023 XFL Championship:
OUR FAVORITE THURSDAY YET. pic.twitter.com/f4daUdVwNG
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) February 16, 2023
St. Louis BattleHawks (+350)
The BattleHawks are small favorites to win the XFL Championship in 2023. Could it be because they have a quarterback with NFL experience at the helm? That is part of it, but this team also has a well-balanced defense.
A.J. McCarron is in the XFL following a six-year career in the NFL from 2015 to 2020. After showing some promise as a rookie in Cincinnati, McCarron didn’t see the field much thereafter.
He passed for 854 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions on 66.4% completions as a rookie in 20154. That was the last time we would see McCarron throw a touchdown pass. In the XFL, McCarron should be one of the better quarterbacks.
Look for McCarron to develop a rapport with wide receivers Marcell Ateman and Darrius Shepherd. Ateman is best known for his time with the Raiders in 2018 and 2019. He recorded 270 yards and a touchdown in 18 games5.
Shepherd has experience with an NFL team, too. He collected 6 receptions and 47 yards with the Packers in 2019 and 20206. The passing game should be in good hands with these three working together.
On defense, St. Louis should have one of the better pass rushes in the league. Look for former Cornhuskers, Freedom Akinmoladun and Damion Daniels, to get pressure on quarterbacks up the middle. The defense will be anchored by linebacker Mike Rose.
Rose played in the Senior Bowl in 2022 following a productive collegiate career at Iowa State. The defense should be stout for the BattleHawks, but they’ll have to get pressure to help an average cornerback core.
Seattle Sea Dragons (+400)
The Sea Dragons have to be the most intriguing team in the XFL this season. If everything comes together for them, they can easily be the most talented team. The big question mark is how well Josh Gordon can play in his return to football.
In the prime of his career with the Cleveland Browns, Gordon was regarded as one of the most talented receivers in the league. However, a lot has changed since he had 1,646 yards and 9 touchdowns in 20137.
Former #NFL star WR Josh Gordon is now with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the #XFL
pic.twitter.com/aIwSuN27Hw— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 10, 2023
Gordon seemed to turn his career around in 2018 with the Patriots. Despite having a good relationship with the organization, Gordon could not stay out of trouble. He was unable to find success with the Seahawks, Chiefs, and Titans after leaving New England.
Ben DiNucci might be the biggest reason to like the Sea Dragons in 2023. The former Dallas Cowboy is looking to get his football career back on track in the XFL. DiNucci was never a standout in the NFL, but he always played hard.
He played in three games with the Cowboys in 2020. The 26-year-old passed for 219 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. DiNucci is not a running quarterback, though he does have some mobility to get out of trouble.
Your 2023 Captains @JordanEvans_50 & @B_DiNucci6 #XFL2023 | #BreatheFire pic.twitter.com/8PYu2uAufz
— Seattle Sea Dragons (@XFLSeaDragons) February 16, 2023
The defense should be fine for the Sea Dragons, but do not expect this to be the best unit in the XFL. That said, there is former NFL talent to carry the load in Seattle. Depth is going to be a problem, though.
Linebacker Jordan Evans was in the NFL for five years with the Bengals. In the best season of his career, Evans recorded 61 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 20188. Following a promising sophomore campaign, he was pretty much non-existent the next three years.
Starting safety Antoine Brooks should help give the Sea Dragons a lift. He earned a Super Bowl ring on the Rams last season. Brooks appeared in eight games with the Rams in 2021.
Arlington Renegades (+400)
Formerly known as the Dallas Renegades, the Arlington Renegades should be a leading contender in 2023. Bob Stoops is back on the sidelines for another stint in the XFL with the Renegades.
The former head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners is turning to Kyle Sloter at quarterback. Sloter was quietly one of the best quarterbacks in the USFL a season ago. He was an All-Star following a successful season with the New Orleans Breakers9.
Sloter passed for 1,799 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on 57.7% completions10. He will have to clean up the turnovers to avoid ending up in Stoops’ doghouse.
The @XFLRenegades knew what they were doing by reuniting Kyle Sloter and Sal Cannella in the #XFL.
This duo TORCHED the #USFL in 2022. Including the playoffs, they combined for over 500 yards of offense for the New Orleans Breakers…just ridiculous.pic.twitter.com/Z7qZxCCyEz
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) January 16, 2023
Before going to the USFL, Sloter jumped between seven different teams in the NFL. Despite finding it tough to get playing time, he served well as a member of practice squads for the majority of his career.
Sloter’s favorite target last year, tight end Sal Cannella, joins him in Arlington. Cannella finished with 34 receptions, 368 yards, and 2 touchdowns11.
That does not look like much, but keep in mind it was a short season. He was leading the league in receiving at one point in 202212.
Ball State’s Drew Plitt is also a compelling option for the Renegades at quarterback. Don’t be surprised if he sees the field early this season. Plitt passed for 2,541 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in his final season at Ball State in 202113
The defense is where the Renegades should excel this season. Doug Costin and Bruce Hector should plug the middle of the field for this unit. Both have recent NFL experience going into the XFL.
Here’s a look at the interception by Da’Vante Bausby on the first play of the game! #SAvsSD
— PFF_XFL (@PFFXFL) February 25, 2019
There aren’t too many concerns for the Renegades in the secondary, either. Da’Vante Bausby should be an active playmaker. He had success in the USFL last year and was able to get a look from the Washington Commanders in August14.
If Sloter gets comfortable in the Renegades’ offense this season, this is going to be one of the toughest teams to beat in the XFL.
Vegas Vipers (+450)
The Raiders are no longer the only football team in Las Vegas. While Las Vegas was part of the original XFL in 2001, they did not return for the second attempt by Vince McMahon.
There is a notable quarterback assuming the reins for the Vipers this season. Former Green Bay Packer, Brett Hundley, is in Las Vegas, not with the Raiders, but the Vipers this season.
Hundley passed for 1,902 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions from 2016 to 201915. His NFL experience should be an asset for head coach Rod Woodson.
Woodson has a good problem to have because Hundley isn’t the only quarterback on the roster that can start. Luis Perez played in spring football leagues in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Air it out fellas. pic.twitter.com/jcj1o4sWLS
— Vegas Vipers (@XFLVipers) February 15, 2023
He passed for 9 touchdowns and 1 interception on 71.7% completions with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL last year16. The Vipers easily have the most quality depth at quarterback in the league this season.
However, the defense does not offer much hope for the Vipers. They should struggle to get a consistent pass rush. Along with a porous defensive line, the Vipers do not have the best talent in the secondary.
The offense should be fun to watch, but they should give up plenty of big plays. If the defense is better than they look on paper, expect the Vipers to surprise in 2023.
However, what we see happening is plenty of shootouts in high-scoring games for the Vipers. Woodson is in the Hall of Fame for being one of the best defensive players in NFL history. But the head coach will struggle to get his defense to play well.
Meet your Arlington Renegades. These straight shooters only listen to their pride and desire to take the victory that is theirs.#XFL2023 pic.twitter.com/0smYfT5dde
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) October 31, 2022
2023 XFL Championship Best Pick
From what we have observed, the Arlington Renegades are going to be a fun team to watch even if they don’t have the flashiest quarterback in the league.
Bettors will be attracted to McCarron, DiNucci, and Hundley, but Sloter and Plitt should be fine. Whether Sloter or Plitt sees the field more, the Arlington offense is in good hands.
The defense has an opportunity to be the best in the XFL. Bausby and Josh Hawkins are poised to be a potent duo in the secondary and the defensive depth is going to be a strength of this squad.
For our 2023 XFL Championship pick, we are backing Stoops to add another championship to his prolific coaching resume.
Sources
1 XFL files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after suspending operations. Retrieved From https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/29030763/xfl-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy-suspending-operations
2 XFL ratings decline, but still doing well overall. Retrieved From https://ca.news.yahoo.com/xfl-viewership-down-again-for-week-3-but-ratings-still-overall-a-win-for-the-league-165801034.html
3 New Ownership Acquires XFL. Retrieved From https://www.xfl.com/new-ownership-acquires-xfl
4 AJ McCarron States | ESPN. Retrieved From https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/16810/aj-mccarron
5 Marcell Ateman Stats | ESPN. Retrieved From https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3046320/marcell-ateman
6 Darius Shepherd Career Stats | NFL.com. Retrieved From https://www.nfl.com/players/darrius-shepherd/stats/career
7 Josh Gordon Stats | ESPN. Retrieved From https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/15705/josh-gordon
8 Jordan Stats | ESPN. Retrieved From https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3052660/jordan-evans
9 USFL announce 2022 all-stars: QB Sloter among honorees who could make the leap to the NFL. Retrieved From https://www.cbssports.com/usfl/news/usfl-announces-2022-all-stars-qb-kyle-sloter-among-honorees-who-could-make-the-leap-to-nfl/
10 Kyle Sloter Stats | Arlington Renegades | The Football Database. Retrieved From https://www.footballdb.com/players/kyle-sloter-sloteky01
11 Sal Cannella Stats | Arlington Renegades | The Football Database. Retrieved From https://www.footballdb.com/players/sal-cannella-cannesa01
12 Former Auburn tight end Sal Cannella is thriving in the USFL. Retrieved From https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/former-auburn-football-tight-end-sal-cannella-is-thriving-in-the-usfl
13 Drew Plitt College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits. Retrieved From https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/drew-plitt-1.html
14 New Jersey Generals DB De’Vante Bausby Signs With Washington Commanders. Retrieved From https://usflnewsroom.com/news/new-jersey-generals-db-devante-bausby-signs-with-washington-commanders/
15 Brett Hundley Stats Summary | NFL.com. Retrieved From https://www.nfl.com/players/brett-hundley/stats/
16 Luis Perez football statistics on StatsCrew.com. Retrieved From https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-perezlui002
