XFL Week 1: Seattle vs D.C Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Feb 19)
- The Sea Dragons head to DC to begin the XFL season.
- Seattle is one of the favorites to win the XFL this year.
- Gregg Williams is the DC for the DC Defenders.
The DC Defenders are one of the more unknown teams in the XFL and have the second-lowest odds to win the league. However, Jordan Ta’amu is the quarterback and spent time in the XFL and then last year in the USFL. D’Eriq King, the former Miami QB, is the backup.
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The Seattle Sea Dragons have some fun former NFL players on the roster, including Joh Gordon and Ben DiNucci. The Sea Dragons coaching staff brings a ton of experience with Jim Haslett as HC, June Jones running the offensive, and Ron Zook as DC.
How to Watch
- Where: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
- When: Sunday, February 19, 2023, 8:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+
Odds
| Team | Spread Odds |
|---|---|
| Seattle Sea Dragons | +1.5 (-110) |
| DC Defenders | -1.5 (-110) |
Game Preview
The Sea Dragons have some fun players. Quarterback Ben DiNucci is a name everybody knows from his time with the Dallas Cowboys, and former Cowboy RB Brendan Knox is right behind him in the backfield.
Josh Gordon is one of the more interesting players in the XFL. We all know how good Gordon can be, but he is 10 years removed from leading the NFL in receiving yards and dealt with suspensions and off-the-field issues that led him to be removed from the NFL altogether.
DE Austin Faoiliu is another former Cowboy and Tre Walker is another guy that had a cup of coffee with the NFL. Nonetheless, the Sea Dragons’ power is on offense, and DiNucci is trying to recreate that magic from his Sunday Night Football emergence.
READ MORE: XFL Week 1: Orlando vs Houston Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Feb 18)
Yes, the Defenders have that Gregg Williams running the defense, so that’s a good sign for them. Jordan Ta’amu did well in the USFL a season ago, and he has Jequez Ezzard at wide receiver. Ezzard led Sam Houston State to an FCS title, and he has breakaway speed that should be exciting to watch in the XFL.
Running back Abram Smith made headlines at Baylor as he set a record, and he was the first pick in the XFL Draft for a reason. Tyquell Armstead is the backup, and he bounced around the NFL for some time.
On defense, the Defenders have Caraun Reid, Michael Joseph, and Davin Bellamy, so that’s a decent trio of players with NFL experience that Gregg Williams should be able to utilize well.
Prediction
The Defenders have the benefit of playing this game at home, and Gregg Williams brings a ton of experience as well as DC head coach Reggie Barlow.
The Sea Dragons’ roster is full of playmakers, but the question is whether or not they will perform. All of DiNucci, Gordon, and Smith are question marks, but if they click, the Sea Dragons could make a run for the XFL title. DiNucci lights it up in Week 1, and the Sea Dragons get the road win.
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