Tag: St. Louis Battlehawks

Seattle Dragons at St. Louis Battlehawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Seattle Dragons at St. Louis Battlehawks sports betting odds and lines, with XFL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The St. Louis Battlehawks (2-1) host the Seattle Dragons (1-2) Saturday of Week 4 in the XFL. Kickoff at The Dome at America’s Center is set for 5 p.m. ET (on FOX). Below, we break down the Dragons-Battlehawks Week 4 matchup, with XFL betting picks and tips.

Dragons at Battlehawks: XFL Week 4 preview, betting trends and notes

  • The Battlehawks play a second straight home game after throttling the New York Guardians 29-9 in Week 3. They started the season 1-1 on the road and will visit the DC Defenders next week.
  • The Dragons suffered a 24-12 home loss last week at the hands of the Dallas Renegades. They took a 31-19 road loss against the Defenders in Week 1 before topping the Tampa Bay Vipers 17-9 at home in Week 2.
  • The Battlehawks have the third-best odds to win the XFL Championship April 26 at +500. The Dragons have the second-highest odds at +2000.
  • St. Louis’ plus-4 touchdown differential is tied with the Houston Roughnecks as the best mark in the XFL. Seattle is minus-1 in touchdown differential.
  • Battlehawks QB Jordan Ta’amu ranks second in the league with 612 passing yards. Dragons QB Brandon Silvers is fifth with 512 yards.
  • Battlehawks RB Matt Jones leads the league with 224 rushing yards. Dragons WR Austin Proehl ranks fifth with 168 receiving yards.

Get some action on this XFL matchup or other games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets; visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Dragons at Battlehawks: Key injuries

Dragons

  • G William Campbell (knee) questionable
  • DE Durrant Miles (knee) questionable
  • DT Anthony Moten (ankle) questionable
  • WR Kasen Williams (quad) questionable
  • OT Isaiah Battle (ankle) probable
  • OT Michael Dunn (calf) probable

Battlehawks

  • RB Matt Jones (knee) questionable
  • WR Carlton Agudosi (shoulder) probable
  • OT Matt McCants (knee) probable

Dragons at Battlehawks: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Battlehawks 25, Dragons 15

Moneyline (?)

The Battlehawks (-500) are the heaviest favorites of the Week 4 slate, playing at home against the Dragons (+375). St. Louis is coming off a 20-point home win, while Seattle’s two losses this season were both by 12 points.

There’s no reason to go chasing the upset Saturday, so we’ll PASS on the Battlehawks’ chalky moneyline and look to the spread.

Against the Spread (?)

Following suit of the moneyline, the 12-point spread is the biggest of the week, and the only one greater than a single score. We’ll back the DRAGONS (+12, -110), as their first two losses of the season would have resulted in a push against this line.

The Battlehawks lead the East Division, but they haven’t looked nearly as impressive as the West Division-leading Roughnecks through three weeks.

Over/Under (?)

The bookmakers are starting to get a sense of the total lines after the Under was the league-wide trend in the first couple weeks of the season. Lines were finally dropped last week and the four-game slate went 2-2 vs. the O/U.

Back the OVER 38.5 (-110), the lowest projection of Week 4. The Dragons have scored at least 12 points all three weeks and the Battlehawks have put up a total of 53 points in their last two games.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Titans’ Rodger Saffold returns to St. Louis for XFL BattleHawks game

Offensive guard Rodger Saffold may take the field for the Tennessee Titans now, but Nashville isn’t the city where he got his NFL start.

Offensive guard Rodger Saffold may take the field for the Tennessee Titans now, but Nashville isn’t the city where he got his NFL start.

The Titans face a long offseason after falling just one game short of Super Bowl LIV, and players like Saffold are taking advantage of the period of downtime.

Saffold returned to St. Louis on Sunday — the city where he played with the Rams for six seasons. He suited up for the team for three years after it moved to Los Angeles, then signed with the Titans in 2019.

The St. Louis BattleHawks are the new team taking up residence in The Dome at America’s Center since the Rams left, and were well-received by the town as they recorded a 29-9 victory in their home opener.

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“Man the dome still brings back memories,” Saffold wrote. “I got chills walking on the field with the smell of football in the air! Long story short I appreciate the city that gave me my first start!”

The BattleHawks (2-1) are set to face the Seattle Dragons in their second-straight home contest at 4 p.m. CST on Saturday.

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Former Titans DE Gimel President brings ‘energy’ to XFL’s BattleHawks

They now call him “Mr. President” in St. Louis.

They now call him “Mr. President” in St. Louis.

But before defensive end Gimel President took the field for the XFL, he played snaps in the NFL.

The two teams President was on the rosters for were the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans.

He joined the latter in on May 1, 2018, when the Titans claimed him off waivers.

President was released on August 18, 2018, then signed to the practice squad on December 18, 2018, signed to a reserve/future contract with the Titans on December 31, 2018, and then was finally waived back in August.

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After a second stint with the Texans, President’s career found new life in the resurgence of the XFL with the St. Louis BattleHawks.

“I feel really settled in right now,” President told me. “I feel like we’re executing more, I’m learning more. I can do my reads a lot more, because I’m comfortable now.”

The XFL was a lot more exotic in its original debut season than it is now, though there are still some unique rules that set it apart from other football leagues.

“I don’t feel like there’s a major difference,” he said. “I feel like football is just football. Something that’s definitely different is the special teams. But, other than that, like I said, football is football.”

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President hasn’t forgotten about the Titans, though, and was following along every step of the way on their AFC Championship run last season.

“I was watching every game,” he said. “I was excited for my brothers to make it that far, and for Houston as well. It was exciting to see.”

He said he still keeps in touch with a couple of former teammates, and feels he gained a lot from being in Nashville.

“I learned from the best, certain things to do, how to do them and mastering and critiquing my craft as a football player,” he said.

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Outside of his raw ability as a defensive end, President also brings some intangibles to the BattleHawks.

“I’d definitely say I bring energy,” he said. “In the XFL, I’m looking to learn how to be a better football player and also to contribute on special teams.”

Three games into the season, President has recorded six tackles, one quarterback hit and one pass defensed, along with a single special teams tackle.

He and the BattleHawks will aim to improve to 3-1 as they take on the Seattle Dragons in the The Dome at America’s Center at 4 p.m. CST next Saturday.

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What we learned from Week 3 of the XFL season

What did we learn from Week 3 of an XFL season that saw the LA Wildcats erupt.

There is one undefeated team left in the XFL. There is one winless team after three weeks. What happened in Week 3? What is there to look forward to as the season continues?

Mr. Excitement is LA’s newest rock star

 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

Martex Carter brought the excitement that was missing to the LA Wildcats. The running back from Grambling State put on a football show and did some gymnastics, too, as LA got its first victory of the season. He scored three TDs, two with spectacular finishes, as the Wildcats were pristine.

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WATCH! St. Louis Battlehawks’ lineman trades XFL ball for box of Girl Scout cookies

A clever sign led to an in-game transaction between a St. Louis Battlehawks lineman and a young fan.

The best sign of the week — maybe the whole XFL season — goes to the young lady who brought this to the Battlehawks’ home opener against the New York Guardians’ Sunday.

She wanted to trade a box of Girl Scouts Thin Mints for a Battlehawks football. The sign read: I will trade a BOX of GIRL SCOUT Thin Mints for a BATTLEHAWKS FOOTBALL.

It took three-plus quarters in the game that St. Louis was controlling before 6-foot-3, 289-pound Casey Sayles deciding it was okay to make the trade. Sayles, who is a defensive tackle, went over and made the swap. He also tasted the cookies and seemed to enjoy his part of the deal.

WATCH: Battlehawks score first XFL kickoff return TD on a reverse, no less

The St. Louis Battlehawks’ trickeration resulted in the first kickoff return TD in the new XFL.

The new XFL rule for kickoffs felt like they would be a perfect setup for returners to break through the special teams wall and score a touchdown. It finally happened Sunday as the St. Louis Battlehawks took one 90 yards to the house with some trickeration.

Keith Mumphery, who played college ball at Michigan State, grabbed the kickoff.  He lateraled the ball to Joe Powell and the safety ran all the way to the end zone off the reverse. The play went for 90 yards.

Powell played college football at Globe Institute of Technology in New York City. Powell is a perfect example of an XFL player in it For the Love of Football.

Check out this resume:

  • Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (2015)
  • Cleveland Gladiators (2016)
  • New York Giants (2016)*
  • Buffalo Bills (2016–2017)*
  • Atlanta Havoc (2018)
  • Baltimore Brigade (2018)
  • Birmingham Iron (2019)
  • Baltimore Brigade (2019)
  • St. Louis BattleHawks (2020–present)

New York Guardians at St. Louis Battlehawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s New York Guardians at St. Louis Battlehawks sports betting odds and lines, with XFL Week 3 betting picks, tips and bets.

The New York Guardians (1-1) visit the St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1) Sunday of Week 3 in the XFL. Kickoff at The Dome at America’s Center is set for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we break down the Guardians-Battlehawks Week 3 matchup, with XFL betting picks and tips.

Guardians at Battlehawks: XFL Week 3 preview, betting trends and notes

  • Both East Division opponents enter Week 3 with +1000 odds to win the XFL Championship April 26. They’re tied for the fifth-best odds to win the eight-team league’s inaugural championship game.
  • The Battlehawks have scored six touchdowns with four allowed through two games. The Guardians had both scored and allowed three touchdowns.
  • Battlehawks QB Jordan Ta’amu ranks second among all passers with 493 passing yards through two games. RB Matt Jones leads his team and the league with 129 rushing yards. Ta’amu has added another 109 rushing yards.
  • Guardians QB Matt McGloin completed just eight of 19 pass attempts for 44 yards and two interceptions last week. He was replaced by backup Marquise Williams, who completed four of eight attempts for 50 yards.
  • Both teams took their first losses of the season last week after opening the 2020 XFL season with Week 1 victories. The Guardians were shut out, 27-0, on the road against the DC Defenders. The Battlehawks took a narrow 28-24 road loss against the Houston Roughnecks.

Get some action on this XFL matchup or other games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets; visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Guardians at Battlehawks: Key injuries

Guardians

  • OL Garrett Brumfield (hand) out
  • DB Garrett Dooley (ankle) questionable
  • WR Joe Horn (shoulder) questionable
  • DE Ryan Mueller (wrist) probable
  • OL Ian Silberman (groin) probable
  • DB Andrew Soroh (thigh) probable
  • RB Darius Victor (head) probable

Battlehawks

  • WR L’Damian Washington (ankle) questionable
  • DL Will Clarke (calf) questionable
  • RB Keith Ford (knee) questionable
  • RB Matt Jones (knee) questionable
  • WR Brandon Reilly (back) questionable
  • DB David Rivers (head) questionable

Guardians at Battlehawks: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:50 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Guardians 26, Battlehawks 20

Moneyline (?)

The GUARDIANS (+300) are the biggest underdogs on the Week 3 slate with the Battlehawks (-400) the most-heavily favored team. With both teams sharing the same futures odds to win the XFL Championship, these moneyline odds should be much tighter, and it’s a good spot to chase the value early in the XFL season.

New York looked much better in a 23-3 win over the Tampa Bay Vipers in Week 1, with McGloin completing 15 of 29 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Back the visitors to bounce back.

Against the Spread (?)

The safer play is to back the GUARDIANS (+9.5, -106) to stay within nine points in a loss or win outright. The Battlehawks beat the Dallas Renegades by a 15-9 score on the road in Week 1 before last week’s 4-point loss in Houston.

Three of the four games in the XFL last week were played within a one-possession margin after three teams won by double digits in Week 1. Expect the tighter-scoring trend to continue as the season progresses.

Over/Under (?)

The projected totals across the league have been lowered significantly after the Under has been a common theme in the early-going of the season. Back the OVER 40.5 (+100) on the lowest number of the week. The projection is an over-adjustment by the books.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s XFL betting record: 1-6

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Just ‘reps’ stand between XFL QB Jordan Ta’amu rejoining the NFL

It wasn’t long ago that St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Jordan Ta’amu suited up for the division rival Houston Texans.

It wasn’t long ago that St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Jordan Ta’amu suited up for the division rival Houston Texans.

The Tennessee Titans never had to face him, though, as Ta’amu was on the team’s practice squad for just a few short weeks before he was waived back in August.

Ta’amu, largely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the XFL and probably second to only the Houston Roughnecks’ P.J. Walker, is also considered one of the most likely players to make it back to the NFL.

So what stands between the former Ole Miss quarterback and playing at the next level?

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It’s nothing more than a matter of simply keeping at it, according to Battlehawks coach Jonathan Hayes.

“Probably just reps,” Hayes told me. “This is going to be his resume. And as of now, he’s showing very well.”

Ta’amu didn’t start for the Rebels until his senior year, serving as Shea Patterson’s backup until the final five games of the 2017 season after Patterson went down with an injury, entering 2018 as the starting quarterback following Patterson’s transfer.

“These reps are vital for him,” Hayes said. “Not just for the future, but for our future in St. Louis. If he continues to grow in this manner, we’re going to be very happy with the things that he does. You can see his leadership growing and how he has a quiet confidence about him, but he’s starting to become more vocal. That’s one thing that’s been great to watch as it’s nurtured and as it grows with him.”

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Ta’amu finished out the Battlehawks’ 28-24 road loss to the Roughnecks going 30-of-37 passing for a completion percentage of 81% for 284 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Hayes also spoke to “keeping defenses balanced” by staying efficient in both the passing game and the ground game — something Ta’amu has greatly contributed to this season.

The quarterback totaled eight carries for 32 yards with one touchdown. He was even more effective on the ground in Week 1, recording nine carries for 77 yards with a long of 37 yards — just nine yards short of ending the game as the team’s leading rusher.

Ta’amu has displayed an impressive work ethic through the beginning of his XFL career, and has a strong coaching staff to help him continue to develop.

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“Jordan is growing weekly, and I love that about him,” Hayes said. “He’s a sponge. Chuck (Long) has done an exceptional job with Jordan. Fortunately for us, coach Long played in the NFL. He’s been under center. He knows what it’s like. He can give Jordan those experiences.”

There’s a lot to like about Ta’amu, with the dual threat he provides, overall accuracy, strong mechanics, adequate arm strength and velocity.

That’s why Roughnecks coach June Jones tried to bring him to Canada when he was still coaching with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“He’s a good player,” he said. “I’ve liked him since a long time ago, and I was trying to get him in Hamilton on our neg list two-and-a-half years ago. And so, I know that this is a great league for him to get to play and prove that he’s a player who can take things to the next level. I kind of knew he was a quarterback, and he proved it tonight that he was. I think during the two picks, he kind of forced a couple things, but once he learns to take care of the football, he’s going to be a real quarterback.”

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Ta’amu and the Battlehawks will look to bounce back as they play their home opener against the New York Guardians at 2 p.m. CST on Sunday in The Dome at America’s Center.

Titans in the XFL: 3 standouts from Week 2

Here’s a look at just three players who made a stop in at Nashville who showed up on the stats sheet on Saturday and Sunday.

Week 2 of the XFL’s second debut is in the books.

This week’s action was highlighted with performances from former Tennessee Titans players, some of which saw more more time in the NFL than others.

Here’s a look at just three players who made a stop in at Nashville who showed up on the stats sheet on Saturday and Sunday.

1. DB LaDarius Wiley, Los Angeles Wildcats

Wiley’s presence wasn’t felt in quite the way it was back in Week 1, but he was a standout player on the defense, quietly cracking his way into the team’s leader board.

He tallied four tackles on Los Angeles’ 25-18 loss to the Dallas Renegades.

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WATCH! Jeremiah Johnson 66-yard INT return sets up Houston TD

Houston DB Jeremiah Johnson returned a pick 66 yards to set up a Roughnecks touchdown.

Jeremiah Johnson picked off Jordan Ta’amu in the fourth quarter Sunday and brought it back 66 yards to put the Houston Roughnecks in scoring position.

P.J. Walker and Cam Phillips did the rest, connecting on their third touchdown of the game as Houston grabbed a 28-18 lead.

Walker and Phillips have connected for four touchdowns in the first two weeks of the XFL season.

FOX’s Greg Olsen noticed a Roughnecks player was in the neutral zone on the pick and Houston should have been flagged. QB Jordan Ta’amu felt he had a free play and made the risky pass. However, the officials missed the call.