If you’re looking for Week 2 XFL Vegas Vipers vs. D.C. Defenders 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.
The following odds, picks, and predictions are based on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Vipers vs. Defenders Week 2 Odds and Betting Lines
The following odds and betting lines for the Vipers vs. Defenders are as of Friday, Feb. 24. 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: Vipers (-3)
- Moneyline: Vipers (-170), Defenders (+145)
- Over/Under: 36.5 (-110)
Vipers vs. Defenders Picks and Predictions
As discussed previously, there are many X-factors in the newly recreated XFL. And as witnessed in an exciting opening weekend, many of these teams appear evenly matched — at least for now.
It’s notable that Vegas is a three-point favorite despite losing in Week 1 and D.C. winning. How does this happen? Is home-field advantage that important in the XFL?
Are sportsbooks and the market thinking back to three years ago, when these teams last met? Because in that contest, the Vipers prevailed 25-0 while outgaining the Defenders 477 yards to 107. A Rottweiler and a Shih Tzu would have been more evenly matched.
But of course, these are two almost entirely different squads. The Vipers have since moved nearly 2,500 miles from Tampa Bay to their new Nevada residence. D.C. is coming off an impressive comeback victory over the stout Seattle Sea Dragons. The Defenders threw for only 93 yards. But who cares? That’s not their bag.
D.C. appears to have a strong defense and grind-it-out offense featuring a relatively capable and experienced backfield (led by Abram Smith and Ryquell Armstead). It won’t often look pretty, but if we believe (as I do) that the Sea Dragons are a playoff-caliber team, then the Defenders probably just hit rock bottom offensively — and won.
The Vipers’ pass rush (three sacks versus Arlington last weekend) might be neutralized in a D.C. game plan that might see two carries for every pass. Smith and/or Armstead should get going eventually, and while Vegas successfully locked down the Renegades’ backfield in Week 1, the Defenders’ backfield arguably brings more punch.
Meanwhile, Vegas is still trying to identify its go-to RB or RBs. Five Vipers combined for only 25 rushing yards on 15 attempts last weekend. And respectfully, their WR corps isn’t as impressive as what D.C. just faced with Seattle.
That’s no casual knock on Martavis Bryant, Geronimo Allison, Jeff Badet, and the rest of the Vipers’ receiving corps. But D.C. just stared down perhaps the XFL’s premier receiving corps, led by Josh Gordon, Jahcour Pearson, and Blake Jackson.
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I was not sold on the post-prime Bryant or Allison during the preseason, and while Badet might be his team’s No. 1 WR going forward, I don’t envision QB Luis Perez coming close to matching Ben DiNucci’s 54 Week 1 throws. In other words, D.C. likely won’t be under constant fire through the air like they were last week.
This should play to the Defenders’ strength as they work the clock, stymie Vegas’ running game, and force Perez to play too aggressively in catch-up mode.
Two more things to consider in this matchup, both on D.C.’s side of the ball. First, will QB Jordan Ta’amu play the whole game? 25-year-old backup D’Eriq King rushed for over 2,000 yards in college. In a run-heavy scheme, he might be the better option going forward. That might be bad news for D.C.’s receivers. But again, that shouldn’t matter if this team can win the old-fashioned way: strong running and stronger defense.
Second, D.C. looked lost in the opening quarter against Seattle. They gained only 31 scoreless yards while ceding 123 and a touchdown. Then, three third-down conversions later, the Defenders reached paydirt, and they gradually started getting their footing. In Seattle’s final four possessions that began late in the third quarter, the Sea Dragons gained only 87 offensive yards.
The Defenders should come out in Week 2 more polished than they did in Week 1. In other words, we haven’t seen them close to their best. And I believe their best is better than the Vipers’ best.
- Recommended Point Spread Bet: Defenders (+3)
- Recommended Moneyline Bet: Defenders (+145)
- Over/Under: Under 36.5 (-110)