OnlineGambling.com | OG News

XFL Week 4: Undefeated Houston Roughnecks Face Difficult Test vs. Dallas Renegades

Ed Scimia

The Houston Roughnecks face their in-state rivals, the Dallas Renegades, in the marquee matchup of the XFL Week 4 slate.

PJ Walker has been outstanding for the Houston Roughnecks, and leads the title favorites against the Dallas Renegades in Week 4 of the XFL season. (Image: Getty)

The Roughnecks come into the game as a 1.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

PJ Walker Leads Houston to Undefeated Start

Houston stands as the only XFL team to remain undefeated after three weeks, a status that has made the Roughnecks the early favorite to win the first league championship. The West Division leader defeated the hapless Tampa Bay Vipers (0-3) 34-27 to pick up a road win in Week 3 behind the play of quarterback P.J. Walker, who threw for three touchdowns and 306 yards on Saturday.

NFL scouts have noticed Walker’s outstanding performance. Not only is the quarterback the early leader in the race for XFL MVP, but many believe he’ll find his way back on an NFL roster in the fall. Walker previously served as the practice squad quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, where he learned from Andrew Luck and Jacoby Brissett.

“He’s an accurate passer,” Houston head coach June Jones told ESPN. “He can make all the throws, and when plays break down, he’s done what I thought he would do and that is scramble around and make things happen.”

On Sunday, the Roughnecks will face off against the preseason XFL favorites, the Dallas Renegades. After losing its opener, Dallas ripped off two straight wins to move to 2-1, beating the Seattle Dragons 24-12 in Week 3. That record may underplay the Renegades’ talent level, as they were forced to play their opener without starting quarterback Landry Jones, who suffered an injury during training camp.

“Landry got in a better rhythm,” Dallas coach Bob Stoops said after the Week 3 game. “He’s just going to keep getting better the more comfortable he becomes and the more experience he gets out on the field in live action. I think he’ll just continue to improve.”

St. Louis Embraces BattleHawks After Years Without Football

At the moment, the St. Louis BattleHawks (2-1) appear to be the class of the East Division. St. Louis is coming off a 29-9 demolition of the New York Guardians (1-2). FanDuel sees the BattleHawks as the biggest favorite in the XFL in Week 4, as they have St. Louis as a 12-point pick at home over the struggling Seattle Dragons.

XFL Week 4 Odds

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

The city of St. Louis has passionately supported the BattleHawks so far – perhaps a statement by local football fans who were deeply disappointed when the Rams moved away in 2015. Over 29,000 were in attendance for the BattleHawks’ home opener on Sunday.

“I went through this myself as a former Houston Oiler when my team left to go to Memphis and then Nashville,” XFL commissioner Oliver Luck told KSDK in St. Louis. “I understand what people are going through. That took a chunk out of my heart as well, so I get it.”