Sea Dragons vs Defenders Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for XFL Week 1 (Seattle Shocks DC at Audi Field)

Sea Dragons vs Defenders Week 1 Game Info

2023 XFL Regular Season Game
Seattle Sea Dragons (0-0, 0-0 Away) vs. DC Defenders (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Date: Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Audi Field — Washington, DC
Coverage: ESPN, ESPN+

With the NFL now in the offseason, it's time for the 2023 XFL season to begin. The action kicks off this weekend with a slate of four Week 1 games, including a showdown between the Seattle Sea Dragons and D.C. Defenders at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19. 

The Sea Dragons hope for a strong start to the campaign after only going 1-4 during the 2020 XFL season. Meanwhile, the Defenders went 3-2 in the league's inaugural campaign, leaving time to tell if they can pick up from where they left off.

Sea Dragons vs Defenders Odds & Spread

All XFL betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: SEA (-105) | DC: (-115)
Spread: SEA: +1.5 (-110) | DC: -1.5 (-110)
Total: 36.5 —Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Defenders enter this contest as slight home favorites on the moneyline and spread on FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 8 p.m. ET matchup also features an over/under of 36.5 with -110 odds on each side. 

Sea Dragons vs Defenders Prediction & Pick

After a disappointing 2020 campaign, the Sea Dragons look like a much better team. Their offense is led by former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci, as well as wide receiver Josh Gordon, who has racked up 4,284 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in 77 career NFL games. On top of that, Seattle has former 2000 NFL Coach of the Year Jim Haslett behind the bench.

While the Defenders have solid players as well, head coach Reggie Barlow lacks professional experience, most recently coaching Division II college football at Virginia State. It's going to take some time to see what he can do against a non-college team for the first time in his career.

On top of that, even oddsmakers see the Sea Dragons as the better team, proven by their +470 odds (No. 2) to win the XFL Championship on FanDuel Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the Defenders sit sixth at +650.

It'll be a close battle, but the Sea Dragons have the tools to win.

Final Score Prediction: Sea Dragons: 23 | Defenders: 20

Sea Dragons vs Defenders Betting Trends

- The Sea Dragons went 1-4 during the 2020 XFL season.
- The Defenders went 3-2 during the 2020 XFL season. 
- The Defenders defeated the Sea Dragons 31-19 in their only previous meeting on Feb. 8, 2020. 

Sea Dragons vs Defenders Best Bet

The fact that the Sea Dragons have names like Gordon, DiNucci, and Haslett involved gives them an undeniable advantage over the Defenders. Throw in the fact that Seattle will be motivated to beat D.C. after their last meeting and it's even easier to get behind a Sea Dragons upset.

With the spread being as close as it is, it makes more sense to go with the Sea Dragons outright for better value.

Bet: Sea Dragons ML (-105)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.