It’s the penultimate week of the XFL regular season. Two playoff spots are sewn up, and two are still up for grabs. One game is well-represented, with North Division rivals battling for the second playoff spot in the division. Arlington is also well-represented while they fight for a playoff spot. Vegas is eliminated, but they have a few intriguing options. The following suggestions are narrowed down more than any previous week.
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Quarterbacks
The Battlehawks took the long-term view last week when they rested A.J. McCarron. He's back this week for a crucial matchup against the Sea Dragons. When these teams met in Week 2, neither offense was at its sharpest on a short week, playing on a Thursday night. They had a whole week to prepare for the rematch, and the offenses should benefit from the standard prep time.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), McCarron is the XFL's highest-graded passer. He's also third in big-time throws (10), second in passing yards (1,552) and first in touchdown passes (17). Seattle is tied for the fewest touchdown passes allowed (eight) but has allowed the fourth-most passing yards (1,625). So, the matchup isn't a cupcake. Regardless, McCarron's arguably the best quarterback in the XFL and has a bevy of weapons to pass to.
Luis Perez is PFF's second-highest graded passer. The Vipers traded him to the Renegades a few weeks ago, and the spring-football veteran made his first start for his new employer last week. The pocket-passing Perez had a mediocre showing, passing for 189 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions on 25 attempts.
He has a mouthwatering matchup this week, though. The Defenders have allowed the second-most passing touchdowns (14) and the most passing yards (2,156). No other team has allowed even 1,900 passing yards, making the 2,156 allowed by the Defenders a jaw-dropping figure. As a result, Perez is a sweet pick with a value salary to boot.
Running Backs
Jacques Patrick has taken the bull by the horns for the Brahmas in three games without Kalen Balage. Since Week 6, he's second in the XFL in rush attempts (44) and second in rushing yards (200). Patrick hasn't been a one-dimensional option, either. Instead, he's had 15 targets, 11 receptions and 101 receiving yards in the previous three weeks. So, Patrick is a true bell-cow.
Patrick's matchup is great as well. The Guardians have allowed the second-most rushing yards (633), the third-most yards per carry (3.91) and the most rushing touchdowns (eight) to non-quarterbacks this year. As a result, Patrick's a steal at under $8,000 and the co-best running back on the slate.
Patrick shares the co-best honor with Phillip Lindsay. The Sea Dragons have attempted the most passes (304) and the fewest rushes (161) in the XFL. However, they've been efficient on the ground, averaging the second-most yards per carry (4.4). Lindsay was signed last week and instantly claimed the backfield lead for the Sea Dragons. According to PFF, he played 19 snaps in the backfield, besting Darius Bradwell's 11 and T.J. Hammonds's five. Still, Lindsay could siphon more work from his peers with another week of acclimation fo the Sea Dragons' offense.
Lindsay should also be licking his chops in anticipation of a matchup against the Battlehawks. Non-quarterbacks have steamrolled the Battlehawks for the most rushing yards (823), the most yards per carry (4.87) and five rushing touchdowns. Usually, I prefer using only one running back on XFL DFS rosters. Yet, pairing Patrick and Lindsay is rock-solid this week.
Rod Smith is the most intriguing value running back. He leads a backfield committee for the Vipers. In the previous three games, he's rushed 25 times for 105 yards. However, Smith has also hauled in all seven of his targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. All of his marks led Vegas's backfield.
The matchup is good, too. Houston's allowed the third-most rushing yards (606) and the second-most yards per carry (4.01) to non-quarterbacks this season. Smith can be busy if Vegas keeps it close, and the Roughnecks haven't crushed opponents since early in the campaign.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Hakeem Butler, Darrius Shepherd and Marcell Ateman are superb stacking options with McCarron. Butler is tied for the XFL lead in touchdown receptions (six), third in targets (56), third in receptions (42) and fifth in receiving yards (441). Shepherd has occasionally outproduced Butler this year while securing 36 receptions for 360 yards and four touchdowns on 50 targets. Meanwhile, Ateman was out from Week 4 through Week 6. In two games since returning from his injury, he's had 11 targets, six receptions and 85 receiving yards on 49 routes. Ateman is a massive target as a 6-foot-4 wideout. He had a season-high 67 receiving yards last week and could build on his success with McCarron back from a one-game absence.
Tyler Vaughns and Lujuan Winningham are the stacking options with Perez. However, they're also exciting value picks as one-off choices. Winningham and Vaughns were first and second on the Renegades in receiving yards in Perez's first start for the club last week, posting 62 receiving yards and 52, respectively. They were also both used vertically. Winningham had an 18.0-yard average depth of target (aDOT), and Vaughns had an 11.0-yard aDOT. Both have big-play potential against DC's leaky secondary.
Seattle's easiest path to success is on the ground. Still, again, they're the XFL's most pass-happy offense. Meanwhile, Juwan Green has exploded lately. Since Week 6, he ran the third-most routes (94) for Seattle and had the most targets (21), receptions (15), receiving yards (223) and touchdown receptions (three). Green torched the Defenders for seven receptions, 142 receiving yards and two touchdowns last week. Even with the explosion, his salary is still a bargain.
Houston's passing attack hasn't been crisp in recent weeks. Regardless, they've attempted the third-most passes (283) this year. Michael Bandy signed before Week 7 and could be an ascending talent as the Roughnecks attempt to fix their broken passing game. Bandy was tied for the club's fourth-most routes (25) last week, running only four fewer than Travell Harris's 29 routes. Bandy, Harris and Cedric Byrd are playing in the slot, and Bandy could move to the top of the trio. His seven targets, four receptions and 29 receiving yards bested or matched Harris's and Byrd's combined seven targets, four receptions and 28 receiving yards in Week 8. Thus, Bandy is an attractive sub-$4,000 punt.
Defense and Special Teams
The Roughnecks have stumbled on offense after their 4-0 start. Fortunately, their defense has wreaked havoc. They lead the league in sacks (29.) and have forced 18 turnovers, making them a DFS-friendly DST.
San Antonio's offensive ineptitude shouldn't overshadow their defense. The Brahmas have allowed the league's fewest points (132), tied for the third-most sacks (20.0) and forced eight turnovers. They can shine this week against the one-win Guardians. They're catching Orlando at the right time as well. The Guardians had five turnovers and allowed four sacks last week.
The Vipers are catching Houston's offense at the ideal time. They've scored fewer than 20 points in three of their previous four games. Since Week 5, Houston's also yielded nine sacks and had seven turnovers. Conversely, the Vipers have 20 sacks and have forced 13 turnovers this season. So, Vegas is a steal at their salary.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.