Both these teams are among the most talented in the XFL. Who will come out victorious in the battle for Texas?
Game: Houston Roughnecks at Dallas Renegades
Date and Time: Sunday March 1st, 2020, 4:00 PM
Location: The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, MI
Spread: Defenders -2.5, TOTAL 50.5
TV Channel: FS1
Houston Roughnecks at Dallas Renegades Preview
This is going to be a show. Arguably the two best teams in the entire XFL face off, and to make matters even bigger, it’s the first Texas Showdown, as the Dallas Renegades are looking to protect their home field, and in the process, show that they’re the best team in Texas. Giddy up for this one.
The Houston Roughnecks have been the story of the early XFL season. They have an MVP candidate at quarterback in PJ Walker, and are leading the league, scoring 33 points per game. They are an unstoppable force, and a joy for us to watch.
Walker has been magnificant, making play after play and showing the NFL that they let him go too early. Fun fact, Andrew Luck, who was the Colts quarterback when Walker was on the practice squad, is a huge fan of Walker and vouched for the XFL to pick him up. We now see why. The guy is a stud, and he can lead the Roughnecks to the promised land this season.
Walker has sparkled, completing 64% of his passes to the tune of 748 yards, 10 TDs, and only 1 interceptions. He’s the main reason the Roughnecks have yet to win a game, but he’s not alone. The Roughnecks defense has been adept at taking the ball away, as they have intercepted opposing passes 5 times, and average 3.3 sacks per game. This team has all the ingredients, the question is, can they do it against the Renegades, who enter on a two game winning streak.
The Dallas Renegades lost their season opener, to the shock of many, but have responded with two straight victories. Their wins correlate with the return of quarterback Landry Jones, and the former Pittsburgh Steeler is making his presence known throughout the XFL.
Jones is completing 72% of his passes, for 579 yards and 4 TDs. The only blemish on his resume is 4 interceptions, and he will have to be better than that against a ball-hawking Roughneck secondary. Behind Jones is another former NFL product, Cameron Artis-Paine. Paine paces the Renegades backfield, and does it with much success. He is up to 185 yards on the season, with 2 scores.
This is the game that most people are excited for this weekend. It involved two of the best quarterbacks in the game, and it has to potential to be a budding rivalry. Get your popcorn ready.
Houston Roughnecks at Dallas Renegades Stats
- The Roughnecks average 33 points per game
- The Roughnecks are 6-13 on extra points
- The Renegades only allow 15 points per game
Houston Roughnecks at Dallas Renegades Betting Lines
- The O/U for the game is 50.5
- The Roughnecks are 2 point road favorites
- The Roughnecks are -129 on the ML, Renegades +106
Houston Roughnecks at Dallas Renegades Prediction
In the game of the week, we’re expecting a good one. The Roughnecks have the most prolific offense in the league, but are faced with a stingy Renegades defense which is allowing only 15 points against. It’s a battle of contrasting styles.
The Roughnecks are 2 point favorites on the road, and that says a lot about their success to this point because the Renegades are no push over. In the end, I expect there to be a ton of points, big plays, and overall fireworks. It’s a hard game to pick, but I’m taking the Roughnecks to win a close one to improve to 4-0, making a statement to the rest of the league, and a jolt to Walker’s already impressive MVP resume.
