The DC Defenders have been the best team in the XFL all season. Will their successful season culminate in a win in tonight’s 2023 XFL Championship Game showdown with the upset-minded Arlington Renegades (8:00 pm ET, ABC)?
In the regular season, the Defenders finished with a 9-1 record, the best record in the eight-team league. They backed up that lofty record with a 37-21 win over the Seattle Sea Dragons in the North Division Final two on April 30.
But instead of a championship clash with the Houston Roughnecks, who won the South Division, the Defenders will face off with the Renegades, who were 4-6 in the regular season but didn’t play like it in a 26-11 win over the Roughnecks in the South Division final on April 29.
Will Arlington pull another stunner to take the title tonight at the Alamodome in San Antonio? Read on for our Renegades vs Defenders prediction and picks.
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Arlington Renegades vs DC Defenders Odds
Odds are via BetOnline as of Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 1:00 pm ET.
Spread
- Arlington Renegades +7 (-110)
- DC Defenders -7 (-110)
Over/Under
- Over 49 (-115)
- Under 49 (-105)
Moneyline
- Arlington Renegades +240
- DC Defenders -290
Will Arlington’s Defense Be Able to Deny the Defenders a Title?
After losing twice to the Roughnecks in the regular season, including a 25-9 loss in the final week of the regular season, the Roughnecks produced one of their best performances of the season to stun Houston 26-11 at TDECU Stadium two weeks ago.
Arlington was a 7.5-point underdog entering the South Division final, but they took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter and blew the game open with a 17-point second quarter, and limited Houston to just three points in the second half to get the big win.
The difference in the game was the aerial attack on both sides. While Houston’s duo of Cole McDonald and Brandon Shivers combined to go just 12 of 31 for 104 yards and an interception, Renegades QB Luis Perez was outstanding, going 19 of 27 for 289 yards and three touchdowns, with JaVonta Payton catching five passes for 121 yards and two scores.
The title tilt brings a whole different challenge, however. Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year, while RB Abram Smith averaged five yards per carry and 78.8 rushing yards per game in the regular season.
Neither Ta’amu, who threw two interceptions after throwing only three in the regular season, nor Smith, who was held to only 48 yards on 23 carries, had their best game against in the North Division final.
Yet the Defenders still scored 37 points, 28 of them coming in the second half after the game went into the half tied at 9. In that stellar second half, DC found the end zone on four of five possessions, with the lone punt coming only after three unanswered touchdowns had all but put the game away for the Defenders.
Arlington Renegades vs DC Defenders Prediction and Picks
Prediction for Renegades vs Defenders: Defenders to win
Picks for Renegades vs Defenders: Defenders to cover (Best Value: BetMGM) & Renegades/Defenders over (Best Value: over 48 @ Bovada Sportsbook & BetMGM)
Since the first two games of the Defenders’ season finished with 40 and 24 total points scored, their last nine games have finished with at least 48 total points scored, with 54 or more being scored in each of the last six.
They did need overtime to see off the Renegades in a 28-26 win in Week 9 of the regular season, but I don’t think this game will be as close. Arlington did a great job to reach the championship game after a so-so regular season, but the Defenders have been the XFL’s best team all season and will not be denied tonight in San Antonio.
Where to Bet on Renegades vs Defenders
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