Seattle Sea Dragons vs. St. Louis Battlehawks Preview

Thursday night football hits the XFL this week, as St. Louis travels to the frozen northwest to take on the Seattle Sea Dragons. Wintry weather could be a major factor tonight, as the Seattle area has been blanketed by snow over the past few days. Here are some key matchups and a prediction for tonight’s contest:

The Tale of the Tape

Team offense and team defense are defined as yards per game in the above graphic. Tonight’s matchup is trending towards a low scoring affair, with a slight advantage for St. Louis in points allowed. Pair that with inclement weather and both teams will likely struggle to get to 20 points.

Players to Watch

Josh Gordon, Seattle Sea Dragons

Seattle’s Josh Gordon is one of the most recognizable names in the XFL this season. Gordon spent several years in the NFL with multiple teams. Last week, Gordon caught six passes for 74 yards and one touchdown. If Seattle can find a way to get the ball in Gordon’s hands, the Sea Dragons have a good chance to get victory number number one on the season.

AJ McCarron, St. Louis Battlehawks

McCarron was the only starting quarterback last weekend to not throw an interception. If weather is a problem tonight, then ball security will be a top priority in tonight’s game. McCarron is an experienced signal caller who didn’t panic when his team trailed late into the game in week one. This will be a close game and mistake-free football will be critical. McCarron’s counterpart, Ben DiNucci, turned the ball over multiple times against DC in week one, solidifying the need for efficient quarterback play.

The Pick

It’s always difficult to pick against the home team. Last weekend, home teams went 3-1. The one loss? San Antonio, to St. Louis. The Battlehawks are not afraid to play on the road and proved last weekend that they are a four-quarter team that can come from behind to win. Seattle, on the other hand, started off hot and faded late. This will be what decides the game once again.

Battlehawks 18, Sea Dragons 12