The XFL is in full swing, and week one of the season was as exciting as advertised. The league saw upsets, comebacks, beer snakes (or the lack thereof), and many viral moments on social media.
For fans who are new to the XFL and are unsure about which team to root for, we've got you covered. It's only right that you align your championship hopes with one or more of the eight teams hunting for glory. So without further ado, let's look at the XFL teams you could root for in 2023.
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70% Win
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70% Win
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70% Win
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'; }); pollOptions.innerHTML = pollOptionsDom; pollCount.innerHTML = totalVotes + ' votes'; if (totalVotes > 10) { pollCount.classList.remove("hidden"); } } function trackBetsTodayPollImpression() { var intersectionObserverForArticlePoll = new IntersectionObserver( function(entries) { entries.forEach(function(entry) { var pollId = entry.target.getAttribute("data-poll-id"); if (POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['impression_tracked']) return; if (!entry.target || !entry.isIntersecting || entry.intersectionRatio < 0.5) return; setTimeout(function() { if (isInViewport(entry.target)) { POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['impression_tracked'] = true; var isDesktop = "1"; var gaPayload = { "question" : POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['question'], "category": "NFL", "page_url": window.location.href, "option1": POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['option1'], "option2": POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['option2'], } if (isDesktop) { gaPayload["device"] = "Desktop"; } else { gaPayload["device"] = "Mobile"; } gtag("event", "BETS_TODAY_POLL_IMPRESSION", gaPayload); intersectionObserverForArticlePoll.unobserve(entry.target); } }, 1000); }); }, { threshold: 0.5 } ); var pollElements = document.querySelectorAll('.bets-today-poll'); pollElements.forEach(function(pollElement) { var isAnswered = pollElement.querySelector(".poll-option-answered"); if (!isAnswered) { intersectionObserverForArticlePoll.observe(pollElement); } }) } return { answerPollX: answerPollX, }; }();#8 Orlando Guardians
The Guardians are the youngest team in this year's XFL. They have young, green, and hungry players on their roster.
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Deondre Francois, Mitch Kidd and Quentin Dormady are exciting prospects. They might not be the most versatile bunch, but they could make a great Cinderella story.
#7 Las Vegas Vipers
If the Guardians' Achilles heel is inexperience, the Vipers' kryptonite is old age.
The Guardians are set to field Vic Beasley, Matt Jones and Martavis Bryant, all above 29. As such, their hopes will fall on the shoulders of their quarterback, Luis Perez, who previously played for the NFL's LA Rams.
#6 Seattle Sea Dragons
The Sea Dragons have one of the best QB to wide receiver punches in the XFL. They have Ben DiNucci throwing the ball to former NFL All-Pro wideout Josh Gordon. That looks great on paper, but unfortunately, it's not 2013.
#5 Houston Roughnecks
The Roughnecks have arguably the best coach in the XFL, with Wade Phillips at the wheel.
Phillips is one heck of a defensive coordinator, winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos. Any success for the Roughnecks this season will be likely determined by Phillips' tactical nous.
Speaking of tactics, a quarterback battle is brewing in Houston between Cole McDonald and Kaleb Eleby. This will be fun to watch.
#4 St. Louis BattleHawks
The Battlehawks have the most gifted quarterback in the XFL, A.J. McCarron, a former Alabama Crimson Tide standout.
McCarron is seen as one of the greatest players to have ever played for the Crimson Tide, and that tells you all that you need to know. He will be tossing TD passes to former Raiders and Packers wideouts Marcell Ateman and Darrius Shepherd.
#3 Arlington Renegades
The Renegades have an offense containing former USFL teammates Kyle Sloter and Sal Canella.
This QB and wide receiver duo is underrated and will be out to prove their detractors wrong. Both took last year's USFL by storm and will hope to do the same in the XFL.
#2 San Antonio Brahmas
The Brahmas have their fair share of NFL veterans on their roster, with the most impressive names being Kalen Ballage and Patrick Turner.
However, their biggest star might be their coach, Hines Ward. You might remember Ward from his time in the NFL as a former Pro Bowl receiver and Super Bowl MVP for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is Hines' first coaching gig.
#1 D.C. Defenders
The Defenders are the team to beat in this year's XFL and have the necessary tools to make a championship run.
They have a top-notch QB in Jordan Ta'amu, a fabulous running back in Abram Smith and a solid coaching team. The pressure is on them, so let's see whether they can thrive in the spotlight.
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