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The San Antonio Brahmas (7-3) return to the most hostile stadium in the league to face the St. Louis Battlehawks (7-3) Sunday in the XFL Conference Championship at the Dome at America’s Center at 7 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Brahmas vs. Battlehawks odds and make our expert UFL football picks and predictions.
These teams battle for the 2nd week in a row for the right to play the 2-time defending champion Birmingham Stallions in the UFL Championship Game in St. Louis June 16. Birmingham advanced with an 31-18 victory over the Michigan Panthers Saturday in the USFL Conference Championship.
The Brahmas lost a wild one 13-12 last week after the Battlehawks used their super challenge to bring back what was believed to be the go-ahead 2-point conversion. It was overturned due to an illegal man downfield. They had another shot to win it and missed a field goal. Even more devastating was that QB Chase Garbers (wrist) reinjured his left wrist late in the 1st half and didn’t return. QB Quinten Dormady led the team back from 10-0 to put them in position to win it. He was electric with 188 yards on 15-for-27 passing and a touchdown. Garbers is listed as questionable, but after Dormady performed so well, you would think it’s his game.
QB AJ McCarron returned from a high-ankle sprain last week and was definitely rusty and not 100 percent. He went 10-for-24 for 115 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, and his mobility in the pocket was limited. He was sacked 3 times. The team called 3 straight running plays on their first drive, which went nowhere and told you everything you needed to know about McCarron’s outlook. He was slinging it later in the game and even took off running a few times, taking a hit on the injured ankle out of bounds but got back up. RB Jacob Saylors rushed 12 times for 50 yards, and RB Wayne Gallman ran 6 times for 41 yards. The Battlehawks have not been beaten at home.
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Brahmas at Battlehawks odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Brahmas +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Battlehawks -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Brahmas +3 (-105) | Battlehawks -3 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Brahmas at Battlehawks key injuries
Brahmas
- QB Chase Garbers (wrist) questionable
- DB A.J. Hendy (hamstring) out
- CB BoPete Keyes (illness) out
- RB John Lovett (chest) probable
- RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (shoulder) questionable
- DT Jaylen Twyman (ankle) questionable
Battlehawks
- FS Qwynnterrio Cole (ankle) questionable
- WR Chris Garrett (concussion) out
- WR Jerome Kapp (hamstring) out
Brahmas at Battlehawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Battlehawks 21, Brahmas 17
Moneyline
After closing at -160 last week, the Battlehawks are even heavier favorites in this XFL Conference Championship game. St. Louis ran a really passive offensive game plan last week, and that could have been partly because of McCarron’s limitations and by design.
I look for Battlehawks coach Anthony Becht and offensive coordinator Bruce Gradkowski to pull out all of their tricks. The Battlehawks have the best stable of receivers in the league. At -165, though, I’d rather go to the spread.
PASS.
Against the spread
St. Louis is 1-1 ATS against the Brahmas this season. The Battlehawks prevailed as 1-point favorites 31-24 in Week 3 but were unable to cover as 2.5-point faves last week. Dormady was impressive last week, but he has been pretty meh overall. With a full week to gameplan for him, I’ll take the BATTLEHAWKS -3 (-115).
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Over/Under
The Under cashed and then some with the lowly 13-12 output last week. I expect bigger things this week, but the total has risen to 44. While that is certainly plausible, it’s too high of a number for me.
Take the UNDER 44 (-110).
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