If we learned anything in the opening week of the XFL, it’s that we didn’t really learn anything. From a betting perspective, that is. 

There were four games in the inaugural weekend of the 2023 XFL season. The favorites on betting apps covered in two of them, the underdogs the other two. Home and away favorites/underdogs all finished at .500 against the spread. The over hit in three of the four, with all four games kicking off with sub-40 totals. 

Three of the four games were decided by four points or less, which made for some late-game excitement, especially for those with a ticket in their hand. 

Three of the four teams that earned victories in Week 1 were trailing by 10 points or more in the second half. It all means we should expect more of the unexpected in Week 2. 

Bookies.com NFL handicapper Adam Thompson breaks down the XFL Week 2 schedule and offers his XFL best bets. 

XFL Week 2 Picks & Best Bets

All odds accurate as of publication. Hit 'Bet Now' below to get a $1,000 first bet offer from BetMGM Sportsbook to use on the XFL in Week 2. If your first bet loses, you'll get it back (up to a maximum of $1,000) in bet credits.

Thursday, Feb. 23

St. Louis BattleHawks at Seattle Sea Dragons (-3, 36.5)

Sometimes it takes a week to know what you have, especially in a brand-new environment. Seattle coach June Jones, the originator of the Run-n-Shoot offense, went for the three-point conversion after every touchdown in Week 1. 

They didn’t get any of them and lost 22-18. The BattleHawks rallied from a 15-3 deficit in the final two minutes to win 18-15. 

Both teams should have a better idea of what they can do, and when they should do it – especially on offense. 

XFL Best Bet: Over 36.5 Points at best online sportsbooks

Saturday, Feb. 25

DC Defenders at Vegas Vipers (-3, 36.5)

Vipers QB Luis Perez tossed two Pick-6 INTs in a 22-20 loss to the Renegades. With Brett Hundley on the roster, most pundits agree we’ll see a new QB for Vegas here. 

DC benefited from their own Pick-6 in a comeback win, but their offense was equally unimpressive. Jordan Ta’amu was just 8-of-19 passing. 

In other words, neither offense showed much of a capacity to move the ball. 

XFL Best Bet: Under 36.5 Points

Sunday, Feb. 26

San Antonio Brahmas at Orlando Guardians (+3, 38.5)

Orlando was the only team that was uncompetitive in Week 1, thumped 33-12 by the Roughnecks. The Guardians did run the ball well, but a big deficit quashed that plan. The Brahmas should have won their opener, but relinquished a 12-point lead in the final 1:30. 

The Guardians do get a home game here, but the Brahmas scored more on both sides of the ball. They just need to close it out. 

XFL Best Bet: Brahmas -3

Arlington Renegades at Houston Roughnecks (-4.5, 40)

The Renegades scored two defensive TDs in a Week 1 win over the Vipers, but it masked big offensive issues. The run game couldn’t muster three yards per carry and the pass attack didn’t fare much better. Houston, on the other hand, was considered by many to be the top squad in the XFL ahead of the season, and its opener didn’t change many minds. 

With the power and unpredictability of the extra point (worth 1-3 points), laying points on a favorite at betting sites brings increased risk. But in Week 1 the Renegades looked like a team that was ready for the regular season. At the moment, Arlington has more questions than answers. 

XFL Best Bet: Roughnecks -4.5