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The Houston Roughnecks (0-1) and D.C. Defenders (0-1) meet Saturday at Audi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Roughnecks vs. Defenders odds and make our expert football picks and predictions.
The Roughnecks suffered an 18-12 loss last Sunday against the visiting Memphis Showboats, who won as 1.5-point underdogs as the Under (39.5) connected.
Memphis dominated time of possession at 39:32, to just 20:28 for Houston, while running 62 total plays, to just 37 for the Roughnecks. Houston did manage 4.7 yards per play, to just 3.7 for Memphis. The Roughnecks did a good job in rushing defense, too, holding the Showboats to just 1.8 yards per rush. Unfortunately, Houston lost 3 fumbles, and it was a minus-1 in turnover differential.
The Defenders went on the road and suffered a 27-12 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas last Sunday. Washington was actually favored by 6, but it came nowhere near threatening to cover as the Under (43.5) connected.
Washington held its own in total yards, posting 253 yards on 62 total plays, but it struggled in red-zone offense, going without a touchdown in 3 trips inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. The Defenders allowed 75 rushing yards and a rushing score while managing just 44 rushing yards on their own.
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Roughnecks at Defenders odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Roughnecks +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Defenders -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Roughnecks +5 (-110) | Defenders -5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 40.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Roughnecks at Defenders key injuries
Roughnecks
- WR Steven Dunbar Jr. (groin) out
- QB Nolan Henderson (undisclosed) out
- WR Isiah Hennie (undisclosed) out
- TE Clint Sigg Jr. (undisclosed) out
- RB Mark Thompson (knee) out
Defenders
- QB Jalan McClendon (undisclosed) out
- RB Abram Smith (knee) out
- WR Vyncint Smith (elbow) out
- RB Pooka Williams (undisclosed) out
Roughnecks at Defenders picks and predictions
Prediction
Defenders 25, Roughnecks 19
Moneyline
The Defenders (-230) will cost you almost 2 1/2 times your potential return as D.C. looks to bounce back after a disappointing opening weekend. Still, that’s way too much risk for not enough reward after losing last time out by a sizable margin.
AVOID.
Against the spread
The DEFENDERS -5 (-110) are worth playing lightly. Neither team really did anything to instill confidence for bettors, as both sides lost outright as a favorite.
Still, D.C. did some good things last week, while the Roughnecks +5 (-110) were just too turnover prone. If the Defenders get on the ball in red-zone offense, they will be able to grab the win and cover in front of their home fans and beer snakes.
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Over/Under
OVER 40.5 (-110) is the lean, but again, go very lightly with a half-unit at most.
D.C. racked up 253 total yards of offense, and it could be even better on its home field, spurred on by its raucous crowd.
Houston did a decent job in rushing defense last week, so that is the concern with not going more aggressively on the Over.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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