The XFL has cancelled the remainder of the 2020 regular season, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. With the exception of first-division soccer in Russia and Turkey, and some MMA promotions that will continue the action in smaller venues with no live audiences, much of the sports betting world is on pause right now. The top two teams from the XFL East and XFL West Conferences will advance to the playoffs, once play can safely resume. This week we are reviewing the seasons of the playoff-bound XFL franchises, beginning with the Los Angeles Wildcats and its XFL Odds.
XFL: Los Angeles Wildcats 2020 Season Analysis
Los Angeles has stumbled to a 2-3 record through five games. It is only the fact that the Dallas Renegades lost quarterback Landry Jones to a knee injury that the Wildcats hold the second seed in the West. Dallas is also 2-3, but Los Angeles holds a crucial tiebreaker: a +4 touchdown differential, as opposed to -3 for Dallas. This tiebreaker is unique to the XFL and gives offenses a reason to be aggressive. Dallas actually beat the Wildcats in Week 2, but head-to-head is not the tiebreaker that the XFL uses.
The Wildcats lost their first two games, to Houston and Dallas. Then they walloped the then-undefeated D.C. Defenders, 39-9. They followed that up with a three-point loss in New York to the Guardians before winning a 41-34 barnburner at home over Tampa Bay.
Los Angeles Wildcats Offensive Analysis
The Wildcats’ offense is definitely on the rise. In their two wins, they have scored a combined 80 points, and in their win over Tampa Bay, they became the first team to break the 40-point barrier this season. Josh Johnson threw four touchdown passes in the win over Tampa Bay, and after five games, he is second in the XFL in passing yards (1,076) and touchdown passes (11). He leads the XFL in yards per passing attempt (8.0) and passer rating (106.3).
Los Angeles Wildcats Defensive Analysis
Obviously, the defense has some work to do. The team had fired its defensive coordinator, Pepper Johnson, after Week 1, when they got blown out by Houston, and one of their team captains declared himself a free agent. Holding D.C. to nine points in Week 3 was a major step, of course. However, they gave up 17 points to an offensively challenged New York team the next week, and then they gave up 34 in that win over Tampa Bay a week ago, so there is still a great deal of room for improvement.
Los Angeles Wildcats Key Players / Key Numbers
Obviously, Josh Johnson is one of the top players to watch. XFL teams with decent quarterback play are prospering; those whose signal-callers have gone down to injury or who are not performing consistently are losing. The four playoff teams all have quarterbacks who have established themselves at least to some degree.
Wide receivers Tre McBride and Nelson Spruce have combined for six touchdowns and 527 yards over five games. Safety Ahmad Dixon is second in the XFL with 44 tackles. Cornerback Mike Stevens is in a seven-way tie for second in the league with two interceptions. Bradley Sylve had the first pick-six in XFL history, but he did that in Week 1 with the D.C. Defenders, before he came west in a trade for Anthony Johnson (that disgruntled linebacker who said he was a “free agent” after the Pepper Johnson firing. LaDarius Wiley also has an interception.
Los Angeles Wildcats Odds to Win the Championship
Currently, no odds are posted for the XFL Championship, as the league has not publicized a schedule for the semifinals and finals. Stay tuned for more information about XFL betting with respect to the title game. The league has committed to returning for a 2021 regular season; however, since the XFL has also allowed players to sign with NFL teams, it remains to be seen whether a playoff will even be viable, as the NFL’s league year begins on Wednesday.
