If you’re looking for Week 4 XFL DC Defenders vs. Vegas Vipers odds, picks, and predictions, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve analyzed each team’s highest-probability game scripts to assess the most likely outcomes, including which players are in line to thrive more than anticipated or fall short of expectations.
Defenders vs. Vipers Week 4 Odds and Betting Lines
The following odds and betting lines for the Defenders vs. Vipers are as of Thursday, March 9, and come from DraftKings Sportsbook. Clearly, they’re subject to change. That said, barring an unforeseen injury to a significant starter, we should assume that these lines will remain largely intact.
- Point Spread: Defenders (-6)
- Moneyline: Defenders (-240), Vipers (+200)
- Over/Under: 41 (-110)
Defenders vs. Vipers Picks and Predictions
My Week 3 XFL point spread and moneyline picks went a combined 6-2, continuing a pretty good run as we try to make sense of this re-engineered league. But my over/unders mostly tanked. So while I feel pretty bullish about the following point spread and moneyline predictions, I’d caution you to “wait and see” on the over/under.
To casual observers, this Sunday’s nightcap between the 3-0 Defenders and 0-3 Vipers looks … well, to put it kindly, “uncompetitive.” DC’s offense is rounding into form, and its defense has already secured nine sacks and eight forced turnovers. They scored a fairly easy 18-6 victory over Vegas in Week 2 and are coming off a statement win over the championship-contender Battlehawks.
MORE: 2023 XFL Standings | XFL TV Schedule
And yet, one could argue the Vipers are a different team with Brett Hundley at the helm. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d write that sentence back in Week 1, when Luis Perez threw three TD passes vs. the respectable Renegades. In that contest, the Vipers mustered only 25 rushing yards on 15 carries. Perez and his receiving corps had to win it on their own, and they came one two-point conversation away from having a good shot.
Then, in a rare move, Vegas pulled Perez in Week 2, despite leading 6-0. The beleaguered QB couldn’t get much going against DC’s stout defense, completing only one of five passes for one yard. After alternating between Perez and Hundley in the first two frames, Head coach Rod Woodson had seen enough, installing Hundley as the No. 1.
As some of you might remember, Hundley excelled in the running game at UCLA, averaging a 12-54 rushing line and 21 rushing scores in his final two seasons. But that didn’t translate at the NFL level — or at least, he wasn’t freed up to operate as a true dual-threat QB. In nine career NFL starts, he averaged 30 rushing yards on just under four carries. The efficiency was there, but not the volume. He could do so much more.
In the XFL, the 29-year-old now has his shot. Signed barely six weeks ago, and after nearly knocking off the Sea Dragons, Hundley enters Week 4 as the Vipers’ X factor — one of the league’s top rushers, and with a receiving corps capable of chunk plays, led by de facto No. 1 Jeff Badet, who’s No. 5 in the league in receiving yards.
Yes, we could talk about Martavis Bryant and Geronimo Allison. But as always, I’m not buying into them, despite their NFL pedigrees. With Hundley at the helm and Rod Smith still chugging along, we should see a far more balanced offensive attack from Vegas than we saw when these teams last met in Week 2.
As for the Defenders, yeah, I think they’ll win. But the point spread assumes Hundley and Co. will regress. Instead, this should be a tight battle between two run-minded squads. DC has the advantage on defense. That should be enough to carry them.
But let’s not overly hype them, at least not yet. Their passing game remains a work in progress, with Jordan Ta’amu completing less than half of his throws. Yet, he’s also No. 7 in the league with 99 rushing yards. His backfield duo of Abram Smith and Ryquell Armstead are No. 2 and No. 5, respectively.
Only one of their receivers, Lucky Jackson, is among the top 25 in receiving yards.
The Vipers have been obliterated on the ground, and I expect DC to continue doing what it does best: run the ball. Ta’amu, Smith, and Armstead could combine for 40 carries and 180+ rushing yards easily.
The question is whether DC can stop Vegas, especially after seeing what Hundley did last weekend, as well as how vulnerable DC looked vs. St. Louis. I’m not saying Vegas is close to St. Louis in terms of offensive prowess. But the thing about Hundley is that we don’t yet know how good the Vipers can be with him under center.
- Recommended Point-Spread Bet: Vipers (+6)
- Recommended Moneyline Bet: Defenders (-240)
- Over/Under: Under 41 (-110)