With two weeks remaining in the 2023 XFL season, only two franchises have been eliminated from contention for the playoffs – the Orlando Guardians and the Vegas Vipers.
One more loss by the San Antonio Brahmas will expel them from the 2023 playoffs. Two XFL Playoff spots have been secured by the DC Defenders and the Houston Roughnecks, but neither team has clinched the division title.
The image included with this story is what the XFL Playoffs would look like if the season ended today. The Arlington Renegades would make the playoffs as the number 2 seed in the South, but the Seattle Sea Dragons have a better record by one game.
To make matters worse, the Seattle Sea Dragons beat the Arlington Renegades by a final score of 24-15 in Week 7.
Another unfair aspect of the current playoff rules is that DC would have to face either the Battlehawks or the Sea Dragons, while the Roughnecks get to face the Renegades.
Should The XFL Change Their Playoff Format?
Currently, the second-ranked team in each division qualifies as the 2-seed and travels to face the respective division champions during the XFL Playoffs.
One option that the XFL should consider is replacing the second overall finisher with a best-of-the-rest format. Under those rules, the number one team in the league would host the lowest playoff qualifier. The lower division winner would play the best team available in the semifinals, regardless of division affiliation.
If the above rules were employed, the DC Defenders would host the Sea Dragons, and the Battlehawks would have to travel to play the Roughnecks if the season ended today.
Who Will Win The XFl Championship In 2023?
Current XFL futures suggest the DC Defenders will hoist the championship trophy on May 13th. The odds for betting on the Defenders are set at +160, which places them 115 points ahead of the nearest competitor, the XFL South Division-leading Roughnecks.
2023 XFL Championship Odds
- DC Defenders +160
- Houston Roughnecks +275
- St Louis Battlehawks +400
- Seattle Sea Dragons +550
- Arlington Renegades +900
- San Antonio Brahmas +5000
Readers may have also noticed that Arlington is listed below Seattle, even though the Renegades have a much better chance of qualifying for the postseason.
Underdogs are always attractive to gamblers because they can often deliver hefty payouts on relatively small wagers. If this sounds like you, consider betting on the Renegades and their +900 moneyline because it’ll payout at 9-to-1 if wagers are placed today.
That’s pretty stout winning potential for a team that’s one win away from securing a semifinal position. However, those odds will shift after Week 9’s games conclude, so don’t delay.
ESPN, XFL’s Official Website, Bovada.LV (check out our Bovada review for more information)