On the XFL’s Sunday late slate, the San Antonio Brahmas will take on the Houston Roughnecks. Both teams have scored dominant wins over the Orlando Guardians but played much closer games against their other opponents. The St. Louis BattleHawks snuck by the Brahmas in Week 1, and the Arlington Renegades gave the Roughnecks a fight in Week 2. Bettors looking for a San Antonio Brahmas-Houston Roughnecks prediction should hit this XFL bet for Week 3 at FanDuel — the book has left some value on the spread.
Best San Antonio Brahmas-Houston Roughnecks XFL Bet & Predictions | Week 3
San Antonio Brahmas (+4.5) vs. Houston Roughnecks | Mar. 5, 8 p.m. ET
Although the Brahmas only own a 1-1 record at the moment, they are one of the XFL’s best teams. They only lost in Week 1 because A.J. McCarron lifted the BattleHawks to an improbable fourth-quarter comeback. The Brahmas held the lead for most of the day and played well on both sides of the ball. Although they haven’t looked quite as dominant as the Houston Roughnecks, they should have an edge at quarterback, and I suspect that will help them cover a bloated spread.
San Antonio’s quarterback, Jack Coan, leads the XFL in a few key passing stats. He leads in adjusted net yards per attempt, or ANY/A (5.78) and in passing efficiency (139.1). Houston’s Brandon Silvers ranks third among starters in both metrics. Both have lined up against the Orlando Guardians. Coan completed 66.7% of his passes for 5.53 net yards per attempt (NY/A), three scores and no interceptions in a road game. Silvers completed only 61.9% of his passes for 5.68 NY/A, two scores and two interceptions at home.
Houston’s defense has rightfully earned praise as one of the XFL’s best, but San Antonio’s isn’t far behind. The Roughnecks have allowed the fewest yards per play (3.7), only marginally ahead of the third-ranked Brahmas (4). The Brahmas even lead the XFL in yards allowed per pass attempt (3.7), slightly ahead of the second-ranked Roughnecks (3.8). The Roughnecks lead the XFL in sacks (12) and tackles for loss (17) but are trailed closely by the Brahmas in both metrics — San Antonio has seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Houston definitely has an edge defensively and should make Coan’s life difficult. However, the Roughnecks haven’t shown enough to warrant the 4.5-point spread available at some domestic books. Pinnacle, a sharp sportsbook, still has the line at 4. The Brahmas have an advantage under center that should make up for their slightly worse defense enough to keep this one close. I’m not taking San Antonio outright, but I’m willing to throw a half-unit on them to cover at FanDuel Sportsbook. Readers who are yet to register there can score a no-sweat first bet worth up to $1,000!
Best XFL Bet Brahmas-Roughnecks: Brahmas +4.5 (-110 for 0.5 Unit) at FanDuel
