Drew Wells and Jesse Dyess 
It’s Game Day! Rise up, Roughnecks fans! To kick off the first day of this 2023 XFL season, we at Ambush Sports Network bring you a quick look inside at who may have the advantage at each position group in today’s game. You can catch the game tonight on ESPN, FX, and ESPN Deportes at 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT.
Our weekly breakdowns associated with the Houston Roughnecks games will follow the format of both correspondents providing a brief write-up of who they think holds the advantage at each position group on the field. This will be followed up with a brief prediction of how the game will turn out, followed by a score prediction. Las Vegas betting odds will be provided along with how the correspondents would play their money when evaluating the matchup.
Without further unnecessary babble, let’s dive in with Ambush Sports Network’s Orlando Guardians correspondent Jesse Dyess.
QBs
Drew Wells (HOU)
In a battle between two teams with competitions for the starting QB position, both teams tried to stall as long as possible in naming a starter leading up to the XFLs opening week. Houston has named their starting quarterback: Brandon Silvers. Silvers put up 9 TDs and only 1 INT in his time in the USFL last year, showing significant talent and improvement. Orlando has yet to name a starter… Either they are sitting on a goldmine, or they are playing smoke and mirrors to help whoever they name the starter out on gameday. I lean towards the latter, which rarely works out.
Advantage: Houston
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
The Houston Roughnecks have officially announced that Brandon Silvers is going to be the starting Quarterback. For anyone who remembers XFL 2.0, he was more than capable for what was the worst team in that league. On the other hand, Orlando has yet to release a starter, and it feels like a competition is still ongoing. A dedicated starter would force me to reevaluate my position on this, but I am giving the advantage to Houston.
Advantage: Houston
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Drew Wells (HOU)
Both teams feature a largely underwhelming (seemingly) wide receiver and tight end group. Houston has a lot of smaller wideouts, despite having an absolute stud of a tight end in Garrett Owens. Orlando does feature players with NFL experience like Eli Rogers, however. Without seeing the offenses at work, it is hard to tell, but upon initial analysis of film and previous stats, I give Orlando the edge here.
Advantage: Orlando Guardians
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
On paper, this would appear to be the strongest spot on the Guardians’ roster. Charleston Rambo was very productive for the Miami Hurricanes, with over 1100 yards and 7 touchdowns in his senior year. Cody Latimer, listed as a wide receiver, is a former second-round pick with 5 years of experience in the NFL. Finally, Eli Rogers brings more NFL experience and a potential boost to the special teams. While Houston has what looks to be a very strong wide receiver room, I feel that the NFL experience of Orlando is enough for me to give them the advantage.
Advantage: Orlando
Running Backs
Drew Wells (HOU)
Orlando only has two running backs on their roster in Kelvin Taylor (University of Florida) and Jah-Maine Martin (NC A&T). Houston has returned one of the most exciting running backs in the previous iteration of the XFL in Nick “Hollywood” Holley, among other playmakers who have spent time in Air Raid and Run ‘n Shoot variants like Houston will be running this season again.
Advantage: Houston Roughnecks
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
This has the potential to be the weakest link on what otherwise looks to be a good roster in Central Florida. The running back room is only two deep with Jah-Maine Martin and Kelvin Taylor (Devin Darrington is on the reserved list). While I am excited to see what the North Carolina A&T prospect is capable of, Max Borghi is far more tested having played at Power-5 Washington State. With the obvious depth advantage, and what appears to be a more proven starter, Houston gets the advantage here.
Advantage: Houston
Offensive Line
Drew Wells (HOU)
Houston went HEAVY on the offensive line in the draft and afterwards, landing the likes of Sage Doxtater and having a starting lineup that is well-regarded league-wide. Meanwhile, Orlando landed a large offensive line of their own, but theirs is based on versatility. Lots of moving parts, but we will see how it plays out in the first game. I feel like Houston’s scheme will ask less of their offensive line, so I give them the VERY slight edge.
Advantage: Houston
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
At this point, it is impossible for me to conclude anything about the offensive line. How well an offensive line performs has a lot to do with how they communicate and work together. With this in mind, I feel it is impossible to conclude anything about either team at this time. For this reason, I am listing the offensive line as a push.
Advantage: Push
Defensive Line
Drew Wells (HOU)
Both defensive fronts in this game are highly talented, so this is a tough call. Glenn Logan (LSU) at nose tackle for Houston raises my eyebrows a bit, while Gerald Willis at defensive tackle in Orlando does the same. Both teams are running a 3-man front. Too close to call for me.
Advantage: Push
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
The Guardians look to be running a 3-3-5 base defense according to their official depth chart. The defensive line features former Miami Hurricane Gerald Willis, Traveon Sanders, and Caeveon Patton. The Roughnecks’ defensive line will be led by LSU’s Glen Logan, CJ Brewer, and Trevon Mason. With no apparent advantage to either team, I will give the advantage based on coaching, which I feel belongs to Houston.
Advantage: Houston
Linebackers
Drew Wells (HOU)
Houston has great quality and depth at linebacker, and that shows in Head Coach Wade Phillips’ choice to stick with a 3-4 front and get his best talent on the field, with the flexibility to run either a 4- or 5-man look at any time. Orlando seems to have gone with depth over total quality, rocking nine linebackers on their roster and playing only three in their base set. With that said, there is decent talent in their starting three.
Advantage: Houston
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
The Guardians Linebacker room consists of Stansly Maponga, Terrance Plummer, and Terrance Smith. Smith and Plummer were both standouts at FSU and UCF, respectively. Maponga was a 5th-round draft pick out of TCU, and a second-team All-Big 12 performer. On the other side, The Roughnecks will start Trent Harris, Tim Ward, Emmanuel Ellerbee, and Tevante Beckett. This unit has a lot of potential, as Trent Harris was a standout at The U, and Tim Ward has NFL experience, winning a super bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. Both units look very solid, but I feel I must again give a slight edge to Houston based on coaching.
Advantage: Houston
Defensive Backs
Drew Wells (HOU)
Orlando has the edge here because of pure talent in their starting DB group. Matt Elam and Najeem Hosein are very highly touted players. Houston has the edge in depth, but there isn’t as much proven talent overall in Houston’s secondary. Ajene Harris is a talent to watch for in the Roughnecks’ back end.
Advantage: Orlando
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
The Orlando Defense lists 5 starters in the secondary. C. J. Holmes, Javarius Davis, and Najeem Hosein will play corner, with Roman Tatum and Matt Elam playing the traditional safety roles. Elam, you may remember, is a former 1st round pick out of the University of Florida. Houston will feature Raleigh Texada and Ajene Harris at corner, with A. J. Hendy and Sean Davis at the safety. With two units I feel are very close talent-wise, I must give the edge to Orlando based on the experience and leadership of Matt Elam.
Advantage: Orlando
Win and Score Predictions
Drew Wells (HOU)
Advantage Count: Houston (4), Orlando (2), Push (1)
Prediction: I think Houston wins by two possessions. More talent overall prevails, and an offensive scheme that produces points flexes its muscle. Defensive struggle, but points will be scored. Houston comes away with the win. Houston, 29-12.
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
Advantage Count: Houston (4), Orlando (2), Push (1)
Prediction: This game has the feel of a defensive battle. Early on in the season, offenses haven’t usually had the time that it requires to become cohesive, and this game will more than likely come down to who makes the least mistakes at QB. I see Orlando finding a way to pull out this game. Orlando, 13-10.
Betting Line and O/U
Line: HOU (-3.5) O/U: 35.5
Drew Wells (HOU)
HAMMER THE OVER. Also, Houston covers. You’re welcome.
Jesse Dyess (ORL)
Despite my prediction, I think Houston to cover is a safe bet considering there still is no named starter at QB for Orlando. I still believe the under is the play here at 35.5.
