If you’re looking for Week 2 XFL Orlando Guardians vs. San Antonio Brahmas odds, picks, and predictions, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve analyzed each team’s highest-probability game scripts to assess the most likely outcomes, including which players are in line to thrive more than anticipated or fall short of expectations.
Guardians vs. Brahmas Week 2 Odds and Betting Lines
The following odds and betting lines for the Guardians vs. Brahmas are from DraftKings Sportsbook, as of Friday, Feb. 24. Clearly, they’re subject to change. That said, barring an unforeseen injury to a significant starter, we should assume that these lines will remain largely intact.
- Point Spread: Brahmas (-3)
- Moneyline: Brahmas (-170), Guardians (+145)
- Over/Under: 38.5 (-110)
Guardians vs. Brahmas Picks and Predictions
We’ll begin with the elephant in the room. The most lopsided Week 1 XFL game was Orlando’s 33-12 loss to the Houston Roughnecks. In fairness, Houston’s franchise has never lost — an undefeated stretch that is merely six contests dating back to 2020.
We still don’t know how good the current Roughnecks are. Their preseason +750 odds of winning the championship put them in the bottom half of the league. Now they’re co-favorites at +400. Is it because they’re a true title contender? Or is it because they dominated in Week 1? Maybe a little of both?
This question is critically important as we assess the Guardians’ chances in Week 2. Orlando entered the season as one of the biggest championship longshots. Now they’re a distant last at +1500. If they are indeed this “bad,” then how can they possibly right the ship this weekend?
Well, if we measure the Guardians solely by their opening drive of the season, they’re vastly underrated. Paxton Lynch looked in sync with former fellow Bronco Cody Latimer, while Jah-Maine Martin looked like bell-cow material.
Then, it all fell apart. Houston’s pass rush pressured Lynch and backup QB Quinten Dormady into three combined interceptions and seven sacks. Orlando’s defense also had few answers against a surprisingly potent Roughneck passing attack, as well as all-purpose playmaker Max Borghi — who I pushed strongly as a breakout candidate before Week 1.
MORE: XFL Start ‘em Sit ‘em Week 2
For Orlando to compete this weekend, they might need to lean more heavily on their running game. Lynch was a sack machine during his brief NFL stint, averaging one every 12.3 pass attempts. For context, Fran Tarkenton — who holds the all-time record with 572 sacks taken — averaged one every 8.1 pass attempts.
Lynch might round into form. But among three clear-cut scenarios, that one seems to be the biggest longshot. Instead, I expect continued pummeling and/or a benching. Dormady didn’t do any better in relief, which is good news for Lynch but bad news for the Guardians. Yet, if Orlando falls behind early, they simply might not have the personnel to keep pace.
That’s because the Brahmas should rebound after their Week 1 loss. San Antonio held the Battlehawks — one of my two preseason picks to win the title — to only three points through the first 57 minutes, before A.J. McCarron and his impressive receiving corps took over.
By the end of this season, I believe San Antonio’s first 57 minutes will stand out as a remarkable defensive feat. No team should be able to lock down St. Louis.
To be clear, I’m not sold on Brahmas QB Jack Coan. Their WR corps appears to be a subpar work in progress. And respectfully, they probably cannot afford to give Kalen Ballage another 27 touches. Perhaps Ballage will prove me wrong, or more likely, Jacques Patrick will get more run as this team sees what they have in the slower, yet reportedly stronger “backup” running back.
Turnovers and special-teams play can transform low-scoring games into high-scoring affairs. But if this contest becomes a battle of field position, it could be the lowest-scoring Week 2 matchup. The advantage goes to San Antonio, whose defense should outplay Orlando’s offense. In the end, I believe that will be enough.
- Recommended Point-Spread Bet: Brahmas (-3)
- Recommended Moneyline Bet: Brahmas (-170)
- Over/Under: Under 38.5 (-110)
