Xfl Playoffs Get Underway, With Two Texas Teams in the Semifinals

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The XFL’s debut season in its new, and third, format ended last weekend. That means the playoffs are set for the weekend of April 29-30 and a champion will be crowned May 13 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Owned by former pro wrestler and Hollywood actor Dwayne “The Rock’’ Johnson, the 2023 XFL season was highlighted by interesting rule changes and some recognizable names. Now, it is time to see which team emerges as champion.

It will be an all-Texas match-up in the Southern Division where Houston, which won the regular-season division title, hosts Arlington, Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT In the Northern Division, regular-season winner D.C. will host Seattle, Sunday, 3 p.m. EDT.

Here is a look at each of the four teams, the odds for each and a prediction as to which team wins the title. View current betMGM bonus code details to boost your odds.

D.C. Defenders (+140 odds) — The Washington-based team is the favorite after rolling through the regular-season with a 9-1 record and an offense that scored a league-high 290 points. The Defenders didn’t live up to their nickname, however, allowing 240 points, the second most in the league. Still head coach Reggie Barlow’s team began the season with a six-game win streak, suffered its only loss to lowly Orlando, 37-36, and ended the season on a three-game win streak. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was very efficient completing 142 of his 227 passes for 1,878 yards with 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Running back Abram Smith led the league in rushing with 788 yards and seven touchdowns as per various New York sportsbook apps.

Houston Roughnecks (+275 odds) — Head coach Wade Phillips’ Roughnecks began the season as the hottest team in the league with a 4-0 start. They then lost three straight before winning their final three games to finish 7-3 and win the South. Houston enters the playoffs with the league’s third-best offense (247 points) and second-best defense (182 points allowed). It might be the most complete team in the league.

Seattle Sea Dragons (+500 odds) — Jim Haslett, who was a long-time defensive coordinator in the NFL as well as a former head coach of the New Orleans Saints, brought that defensive mentality to the Sea Dragons. Seattle’s 177 points allowed is the best in the league, which makes the match-up with high-scoring D.C. very interesting. The Sea Dragons also boast quarterback Ben DiNucci, who leads the XFL in yards passing (2,671), touchdowns (20) and interceptions (13).

Arlington Renegades (+1400 odds) — The odds here are high for a reason. Arlington finished the season 4-7 and only made the playoffs because the better teams were in the Northern Division. It would be a shock if they got past Houston in the first round let alone with the title.

Prediction — If defense still wins championships, then give us Seattle at generous 5-1 odds.

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