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Image: USA Today Sports
We're back! Yesterday, Will Tondo and Jordan Laube broke down everything you need to know about Saturday's Week 10 XFL Slate/Week 2 USFL Slate, and now James Mas and I are here to run it back. Keep reading to check out the final playoff scenario for the XFL, plus New Jersey vs. Pittsburgh in the USFL!
XFL
The Arlington Renegades (Home today vs. Houston)
by James Mas
Against all statistical odds, the Renegades have made the playoffs. When I say statistical, I mean where their offense ranks statistically in the league. In terms of yards, Arlington is bottom 3 in the league in both passing and rushing. The Renegades are also tied for dead last in the league with only 12 total TDs scored this year. So how does a team like this find themselves in the playoffs? Well, the answer is simple: they won the season-long turnover battle. Ranking first in both interceptions and forced fumbles, the Renegades were disruptive on defense all season. It’s because of the defense that Arlington finds themselves in this position, and now they have to capitalize on it.
The Seattle Sea Dragons (Home today vs. Vegas)
by Sam Basel
Win or go home. In the final regular season game of 2023, the Seattle Sea Dragons are in complete control of their own destiny, making today's finale against the Vegas Vipers a playoff game in everything but name. Unless you're a St. Louis Battlehawks fan, how can you not find these stakes fantastic? Seattle has made a case for the most thrilling underdog this season, erasing an 0-2 start by winning 6 of their next 7 games behind a surging Ben DiNucci, Jahcour Pearson, and lockdown defense.
There are some tiebreaking scenarios that make this one a little bit tricky. With a win, Seattle and St. Louis will finish with the same overall record, the same record against divisional opponents, and the same combined record of opponents in wins. In tiebreaker 4, which is the "Best combined ranking among division teams in points scored and points allowed in all games," Seattle holds the slightest advantage thanks to their defense. Confused? Me too! If you're a Sea Dragons fan, or a Battlehawks hater, just know that you're rooting for the win.
USFL Week 2
1 PM-New Jersey Generals at Pittsburgh Maulers
by Sam Basel
Someone's getting their first win today, and that's pretty much all you need to know to set the tone for this one. Falling to the reigning champs last week, New Jersey struggled to get their offense going early. It's great if you can consistently get into the red zone, but if you only capitalize once on 4 tries for 10 points in a game, then you've got a problem. Add two fumbles to the mix, and you've got a SERIOUS problem. Clean up the third down scenarios, and be a bit more careful with the ball, and New Jersey definitely has a chance today.
That is, of course, unless Pittsburgh can play into their own strengths in an attempt to bounce back from last week's loss to New Orleans. They recorded 4 sacks against New Orleans, and if their linemen are savvy enough to punch out the ball while taking down NJ's passers, then they might have a chance to record a turnover or two and really control the flow of this game. Of course, they really need to pick it up on offense, as they recorded a league-low 156 total offensive yards in Week 1.
In terms of a prediction, I will take New Jersey in a close, ugly game, winning 14-10.
Betting Lines
ML: NJ (-305)|PIT (+255)
Spread: NJ -7
Total: 36.5