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DJ Bien-Aime ESPN
We’re midway with the routine period of the XFL, and also the D.C. Protectors stay the only undefeated team heading right into the only Monday evening competition this period.
The Protectors, that will certainly handle the Houston Roughnecks in conclusion Week 6’s slate of video games, enhanced to 5-0 on Saturday after cornerback Michael Joseph obstructed St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback A.J McCarron with much less than a min continuing to be.
The Roughnecks will certainly aim to recover after their very first loss last Thursday, dropping 21-14 to the Seattle Sea Dragons. Their high-powered infraction was suppressed, as quarterback Brandon Silvers was sacked 3 times and also obstructed when.
Week 6 will certainly start Saturday with the single winless group, the Orlando Guardians, wanting to leave the snide versus the Sea Dragons.
Right here’s what to expect in Week 6, together with choices from ESPN sporting activities wagering expert Doug Kezirian. Betting lines are given by Caesars Sportsbook.
Saturday 1 p.m., ET|ABC
Spread: SEA -8.5 (42 )
The Sea Dragons safeguarded their greatest win of the period recently over the formerly unbeaten Roughnecks in spite of quarterback Ben DiNucci tossing 3 interceptions by holding the Roughnecks to a season-low 14 factors. DiNucci leads the XFL in passing lawns (1,328), yet has actually additionally tossed one of the most interceptions (7). He’ll try to recover versus the Guardians, that’s protection has actually battled, permitting league-highs in passing goals (12) and also factors per video game (30 ), and also whose infraction has actually been outscored by 71 factors.
Gamers to view: The Sea Dragons’ receiver tandem of Jahcour Pearson (430 obtaining lawns) and also Josh Gordon (297) remain to flourish, as both ranking in the leading 5 in obtaining. Past the airborne assault, the Sea Dragons additionally have running back Morgan Ellison, that is 3rd in hurrying (254 lawns). Despite the fact that the Guardians’ infraction standards 16 factors per video game, 3rd most affordable in the organization, quarterback Quinten Dormady tossed for 256 lawns and also 2 goal passes while finishing 88% of his come on a 35-32 loss to the Las vega Vipers this previous Saturday.
Kezirian’s choice: The marketplace is not appreciating Orlando’s assumed quarterback adjustment and also I think that’s a blunder. Dormandy makes the winless Guardians far more qualified offensively and also I think they can install some factors and also maintain this affordable. Guardians +9.5 and also over 42.5
We may not be residence this weekend break, yet that W is still coming residence to the Dragons Burrow
Tune-In at 10am PST on ABC to see us handle the @XFLGuardians! pic.twitter.com/3xlvZYUeMC
— Seattle Sea Dragons (@XFLSeaDragons) March 21, 2023
Saturday, 7 p.m., ET|FX, ESPN+
Spread: STL -3.0 (44 )
Regardless of the 28-20 loss to the Protectors, the Battlehawks’ infraction remains to roll – balancing 22 factors per video game, the third-most in the organization. It’s all led by McCarron, that’s initially in goal passes (11) and also 3rd in passing lawns (1,086). However today they aim to remain over.500 versus the Vipers, that gained their very first win of the period recently versus the Guardians. Quarterback Luis Perez blazed a trail by tossing 3 goal passes. This can be a high-scoring competition in between groups whose defenses permit greater than 21 factors per video game.
Gamers to view: Perez is 4th in the XFL in passing lawns (802) and also goal passes (8) and also 3rd in lawns per effort (7.9 ). The major recipient of Perez’s passing away is pass receiver Jeff Badet, that is initially in the organization in goal functions (5) and also 2nd in lawns (341 ). The Battlehawks will certainly require protective back Nate Meadors, that is linked for 3rd in interceptions (2), to tip up to have the Vipers’ passing away assault.
Kezirian’s choice: Las vega is linked for the second-most goals and also has no problems on infraction. The problem is protection and also I think McCarron and also the Battlehawks need to illuminate the Vipers. Over 44.5
Sunday, 3 p.m., ET|ABC, ESPN+
Spread: ARL -3.0 (33 )
If the Renegades win this competition it will certainly provide a three-game splitting up from the Brahmas for the 2nd playoff place in the South Department. In their previous competition simply recently, the Renegades won 12-10, a low-scoring video game that highlights both groups’ battles to generate factors. The Renegades ordinary 13.8 factors a video game, least in the organization, and also the Brahmas ordinary 14.8, the 2nd least. And also for the Renegades, they are the only group that have not racked up greater than 23 factors in a video game this period.
Gamers to view: With both groups having low-scoring offenses, anticipate to see protective gamers blaze a trail beginning with Brahmas linebacker Jordan Williams, that leads the organization in takes on (40 ). Renegades linebacker Donald Payne is 2nd in takes on (38) and also protective back Joe Powell is linked for 3rd in interceptions (2).
Kezirian’s choice: These 2 groups have actually racked up the least goals by a mile. Arlington is truly restricted offensively yet Bob Stoops takes care of to maintain the Renegades in close video games. I anticipate a rock battle. Under 33
awakened feelin’ HONORED#XFL2023|#XFLRenegades pic.twitter.com/ZUzjl1lKKi
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) March 20, 2023
Monday, 7 p.m. ET|ESPN 2
Spread: DC -3.0 (42 )
This competition includes both department leaders, as the Roughnecks lead the South and also the Protectors cover the North. Both are placed in the leading 2 in factors, factor differential, sacks and also interceptions, yet vary in their offending techniques. The Roughnecks favor racking up with the air, as Silvers is 2nd in passing lawns (1,189) and also is linked for the most passing goals (11 ). On the other hand, the Protectors rely upon their ground assault, as they have actually amounted to 870 hurrying lawns, 404 greater than the next-best group.
Gamers to view: Protectors running back Abram Smith, the very first choice in the XFL draft, has actually met that condition, leading the organization with 432 hurrying lawns. Their infraction usually resorts to quarterback D’Eriq King in goal-line scenarios, as he has 5 hurrying goals. In order to decrease the Protectors hurrying infraction, the Roughnecks are leaning on linebacker Trent Harris, that leads the organization with 6 sacks and also 8 takes on for a loss. Harris’ operating companion is protective electrician Tim Ward, that’s linked for 2nd in sacks (5). Beyond of the round for Houston, Silver’s passing assault shed among its finest gamers, as receiver Jontre Kirklin endured a season-ending injury in last Thursday’s loss. Other receivers Deontay Burnett and also Travell Harris will certainly be relied on to tip up in Kirklin’s lack.
Kezirian’s choice: DC is the single continuing to be unbeaten group and also has actually additionally covered every video game. I anticipate that to proceed versus a Houston group that has actually revealed some dripping protection recently. It’s a large video game yet I think the Protectors are the leading group. Protectors -2.5
