New York Guardians vs. DC Defenders XFL Odds, Pick & Prediction: Should You Trust the Favored Defenders?

New York Guardians at DC Defenders Odds

• Spread: Defenders -7 [Bet now at FanDuel. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]
• Total: 46.5
• Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET on Saturday
• TV: ABC

Odds as of Friday and via FanDuel, where Action Network users get a risk-free bet up to $500.

The Guardians and Defenders are both coming off Week 1 wins, yet some sportsbooks have DC as high as a 7-point favorite.

Our staff previews Saturday's game, complete with their projected spread and a pick.

Guardians vs. Defenders Injury Report

The Guardians' main injury concerns this week revolve around the offensive line, as both starting center Ian Silberman (thigh) and right guard Garrett Brumfield (head) are out.

The Defenders have had a lot of players on the injury report this week, but everyone except for defensive tackle Kalani Vakameilalo (ankle) was able to get in at least a limited session in practice. The Defenders should have no major injury concerns this week.— Ben Rolfe

Depth Chart Analysis

New York Guardians

Although Tim Cook was listed as the starting running back last week, he and Darius Victor split snaps (27-26) while No. 3 back Justin Stockton saw just one snap (per Pro Football Focus). Out of Cook and Victor, the latter was more effective with his touches.

Colby Pearson (49), Mekale McKay (48) and Joe Horn Jr. (40) saw the vast majority of the snaps at wide receiver. McKay — one of the top receivers in the Alliance of American Football last year — finished with four targets to Horn’s eight, but he missed most of the preseason with an ankle injury and should emerge as quarterback Matt McGloin’s top target.

Tight end Jake Powell ran a route on 25 of McGloin’s 33 drop backs and could be a low-owned daily fantasy play this week. — Tony Marquis

DC Defenders

At running back, Jhurrell Pressley (36 snaps, 15 opportunities) played as the lead back in a committee with Donnel Pumphrey (26 snaps, seven opportunities). Expect a similar split in Week 2.

Malachi Dupre led all wide receivers with 47 snaps, and he was listed ahead of former Pittsburgh Steeler Eli Rogers and AAF leader Rashad Ross on the Week 1 depth chart, but Rogers led the team with six targets, Ross scored one of the team’s two receiving touchdowns and all three ran 22-27 routes.

DeAndre Thompkins practiced fully on Wednesday after missing Week 1, and he’s technically still listed as a starting wide receiver over Rogers and Ross, so his role should be monitored this week. — Marquis

Key Matchup

Defenders Pass Offense vs. Guardians Pass Defense 

In this matchup, we see two units that performed well in Week 1. The Defenders have arguably the league's most talented passing offense with Jones at quarterback and Ross and Rogers at wide receiver. All three are capable of making big plays. While Jones isn't always efficient, in Week 1 he led all quarterbacks with 9.0 yards per attempt.

The Guardians defense was strong in Week 1, forcing three fumbles and logging two interceptions thanks in large part to the secondary, but the Tampa Bay Vipers still had 268 passing yards against the Guardians, even though starting quarterback Aaron Murray (foot) was dealing with an injury. This week, they have a much sterner test against the Defenders. Whoever wins this matchup will likely win the game. — Rolfe

Our Projected Guardians-Defenders Odds

You'll find our experts' consensus spread as well as Sean Koerner's total below. Find their projections for every Week 2 game here.

• Our Experts' Consensus Spread: Defenders -3.2
• Koerner's Projected Total: 47.5

Pick

Rolfe: Defenders -7

Our projected spread for this game is -3.2, but I see value in the Defenders past that line.

The Guardians allowed 5.5 yards per play to the Vipers last week, including 5.0 yards per carry, and on offense they were a woeful 1-for-10 on third down.

The Defenders, meanwhile, were strong on both sides of he ball, holding the Seattle Dragons to just 4.8 yards per play while averaging 5.3 themselves.

I wouldn't bet the Defenders past -7, but I still like them at that line.

[Bet now at FanDuel. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]