Defenders vs. Vipers XFL Prediction
After suffering their first loss of the season, the D.C. Defenders will look to rebound when they visit the Tampa Bay Vipers at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. Will the Defenders not only rebound but also cover as a 3-point road favorite?
Game Snapshot
431 D.C. Defenders (-3) at 432 Tampa Bay Vipers (+3); o/u 44
Sunday, March 1, 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
D.C. Defenders Latest
After posting victories in each of their first two games, the Defenders were routed 39-9 by the Wildcats last week in L.A. Cardale Jones stunk, tossing four interceptions on just 13-of-26 passing for 103 yards. He also took three sacks and was eventually replaced by Tyree Jackson. D.C. could do nothing offensively, as the Defenders were held to 1.9 yards per play and 3.8 yards per pass attempt, all while going 2-of-13 on third down.
Tampa Bay Vipers Latest
The Vipers turned in a respectable effort last week against the undefeated Houston Roughnecks, but eventually succumbed and lost, 34-27. The news this week in Tampa centered on quarterback Quinton Flowers, who left the team after only playing two snaps in last week’s loss. Flowers left the University of South Florida as the AAC’s all-time total offense leader, but NFL teams only saw him as a running back and he was drafted by the Vipers as a running back.
Game Prediction
I like D.C. to bounce back. The Vipers put up a good effort in the first half against the Roughnecks, as the two teams were tied at 18 heading into halftime and Tampa even took a brief one-point lead early in the fourth quarter. But when they needed to move the ball after Houston reclaimed the lead 34-27, the Vipers couldn’t muster up much offense. Before they were routed last week by the Wildcats, the Defenders were arguably the second-best team in the league behind the Roughnecks. While that title now belongs to the St. Louis Battlehawks, I nevertheless see D.C. rebounding and covering the short number.
Week 4 XFL Betting Prediction: D.C. Defenders -3
