The St. Louis Battlehawks (4-2) visit the Houston Roughnecks (4-2) Sunday in Week 7 XFL action at TDECU Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Battlehawks vs. Roughnecks odds, and make our expert XFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Battlehawks posted a 29-6 win at Vegas last week as a 3-point favorite, bouncing back from a loss at home to the undefeated DC Defenders in Week 5. St. Louis has alternated losses and wins against the spread (ATS) in each of the first 6 weeks.
QB A.J. McCarron has completed an XFL-best 67.5% of his pass attempts while posting 1,322 yards with a league-best 14 TD and 4 INT through 6 games. It isn’t all great for McCarron, though, as he has been sacked an XFL-most 20 times.
While the offense gets a lot of the headlines, the defense has allowed just 12.5 points per game (PPG) in its 4 games against all teams other than DC.
The Roughnecks started out 4-0 SU and ATS, but it has dropped the last 2 games at Seattle and DC, going 0-2 ATS while allowing 29.0 PPG. Houston made headlines signing former Los Angeles Chargers WR Michael Bandy this week, looking to boost the offense.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Battlehawks at Roughnecks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Battlehawks +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Roughnecks -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Battlehawks +3 (-110) | Roughnecks -3 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+
Battlehawks at Roughnecks key injuries
Battlehawks
- None
Roughnecks
- S AJ Hendy (groin) questionable
- CB Raleigh Texada (back) questionable
- EDGE Tim Ward (shoulder) quetionable
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Battlehawks at Roughnecks picks and predictions
Prediction
Battlehawks 25, Roughnecks 22
Moneyline
The BATTLEHAWKS (+130) are a solid play on the road, as this offense is really humming. McCarron is solid, especially on the off chance he actually gets protection, and the defense is on a roll, too.
There have been some rumblings that the Roughnecks (-155) could potentially change up the QB position, even though Brandon Silvers has completed 61.8% of his passes for 1,300 yards, 11 TD and 5 INT. That’s because of the 2-game losing streak, and the fact QB Cole McDonald provided a spark last week in DC. Stay tuned.
Against the spread
The BATTLEHAWKS +3 (-110) are worth playing if you don’t trust them straight up. It will be especially solid if you can catch St. Louis with 3 and the hook at some point before kickoff.
The Roughnecks -3 (-110) opened 4-0 ATS, but they have failed to cover the last 2 games, yielding 29.0 PPG in the process. Facing the pass-happy Battlehawks will be bad news for the Houston defense.
Over/Under
The OVER 44.5 (-110) is quite a high number. In fact, it’s the 2nd-highest total this season in the XFL. Both of these teams are 3-3 on totals, so there isn’t much to glean there. But McCarron has had a great season, helping the team roll up 20 or more points in 5 straight games, and Houston has allowed 29.0 PPG in the last 2 outings.
We might not get into the 50’s in this Week 7 clash, but high 40’s is a very good possibility as the XFL wraps up the week with a good game on Sunday.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
Looking for more sports betting picks and tips? Check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Access NFL coverage:
SportsbookWire | BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=56139]