Drew Wells and Mike Guardiola 
It’s Gameday, Week 3! Rise up, Roughnecks fans… You can take every cliche said about football and apply them directly to this week’s matchup between the Houston Roughnecks and the San Antonio Brahmas. Entering this Week 3 interstate matchup, both fan bases are fired up for this edition of The Texas Throwdown! For Houston, it’s a chance to distance themselves from the pack in the South division. For San Antonio, it’s a chance to show they deserve to be mentioned with the league’s best.
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. Find last week’s edition of “The Shakedown” here.
Quarterbacks
Drew Wells (HOU)
Brandon Silvers had a rough game last week. He threw 2 interceptions against Arlington, with one being a poor read and the other being a miscommunication. In a game that had 5 turnovers committed by Houston, they still seemed to be in the driver’s seat for most of the matchup. Silvers is heading into Week 3 in second place overall in passing touchdowns. Jack Coan had a great week against Orlando, tossing 3 touchdowns and really showing that he can be a passing threat moving deeper into the season. It was a “coming out party”, of sorts. I have to say that I like Coan, but Silvers is currently the more established product in my eyes right now.
Advantage: Houston Roughnecks
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
Jack Coan looked more comfortable last week at Orlando, bouncing back after facing a tough Battlehawks defense in Week 1. The Notre Dame alum, who is not known for mobility, scrambled for 2 critical first downs on the ground, ending with 3 rushes for 23 yards. This week he’ll face arguably the league’s top defense (who leads the XFL in both sacks and interceptions). Brandon Silvers is coming off a week where he looked a bit like the version of himself that played in Seattle in 2020.
Advantage: San Antonio Brahmas
Runningbacks
Drew Wells (HOU)
To me, this isn’t really a question. It is hard not to want to go into what each offense does with their running backs, but when you have a combination at running back like Kalen Ballage, Jacques Patrick, and Jon Hilliman, there really isn’t a comparison in the XFL. That said, Max Borghi will definitely leave his mark on the game.
Advantage: San Antonio Brahmas
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
Kalen Ballage is the league’s leading rusher and should be featured heavily this week as the Brahmas look to maintain a balanced attack. Jacques Patrick could also see more action this week as San Antonio continues to utilize both backs. Houston has an effective group of running backs as well, led by Max Borghi in their aerial attack. He also has a nose for the hole and has provided critical rushes in Houston this year.
Advantage: Push
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Drew Wells (HOU)
This is a very close position group to evaluate against each other. Houston’s passing game has been punishing through two weeks, taxing defenses until they open gaps for the run game. San Antonio really had a good week in Orlando… Both teams, however, have had their share of drop issues.
Advantage: Push
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
After numerous drops in the first game, the receiving corps bounced back in a big way. Alize Mack came up with timely catches, scoring a touchdown and an extra point attempt against the Guardians. The question is which of the talented wide receivers will step up. Freddy Brown was the standout in Week 1. In Week 2, Jalen Tolliver and T.J. Vasher were solid contributors. This week they face a secondary that leads the league in takeaways with 5 picks.
Advantage: San Antonio Brahmas
Offensive Line
Drew Wells (HOU)
San Antonio has shown the ability to have a good game both running the ball and passing the ball. Houston has shown that it can do the same. Both have played against a bad defense in Orlando, and both have had a tough test against better defenses who are/were at the top of the league. I really like both offensive lines, but neither of Houston’s games has ever been in true doubt because the offensive line is really that good so far. I slightly lean Houston, here.
Advantage: Houston Roughnecks
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
After a rough first week, this unit showed signs of gelling. They will get a real test this week. They will attempt to slow down Trent Harris who leads the XFL in sacks with 4.5 sacks, and Tim Ward who has tallied 3 sacks for a unit that has recorded 12 QB takedowns in the first two weeks combined. I still like San Antonio as a matchup against them.
Advantage: San Antonio Brahmas
Defensive Line
Drew Wells (HOU)
This is a no-brainer. Tim Ward and Trent Harris have been absolutely unstoppable, and while San Antonio does have a seemingly stout defensive line, Houston has absolutely trashed both offensive lines they have faced for vast swathes.
Advantage: Houston Roughnecks
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
Twins Delonte and Mike Scott head a unit that has been solid against the run while supplying constant pressure up front. Delonte recorded 7 tackles and 1 sack in his debut against Orlando. San Antonio needs to apply pressure this week to slow down a very good Roughnecks offense. That said, Houston’s defensive line has been record-setting. Hard to pick against them.
Advantage: Houston Roughnecks
Linebackers
Drew Wells (HOU)
The linebackers haven’t been asked to do too terribly much in Houston. Playing between two position groups that are right at the top of the league has (for better, not worse) seen Roughnecks fans wondering if they even field linebackers on defense. This position is another push to me, as San Antonio has had a similarly quiet linebacker group.
Advantage: Push
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
Baylor product Jordan Williams led the Brahmas in tackles against the Guardians. This unit plays better than the stats would show. The same is true for Houston. I don’t see a real advantage on either team’s side at this position.
Advantage: Push
Defensive Backs
Drew Wells (HOU)
Houston gets the edge here. Five interceptions across two games have this secondary flying high, but will they have a similar performance against what promises to be the best offense that Houston has faced to this point in the season? We shall see…
Advantage: Houston Roughnecks
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
Tenny Adewusi, with 9 tackles through 2 games, leads a consistent unit. Ranthony Texada recorded the first interception in franchise history. Despite the Brahmas’ solid defensive backfield play, Houston’s secondary is tops in the league.
Advantage: Houston Roughnecks
Win and Score Predictions
Drew Wells (HOU)
Advantage Count: Houston Roughnecks (4), San Antonio Brahmas (2), Push (1)
I personally really like San Antonio (not NEARLY as much as my Roughnecks). They have shown the ability to both run and pass the ball, but haven’t had a game where they have done both. Houston, both offensively and defensively, has been very balanced and at times outright dominant. I look for that trend to continue this week at home against San Antonio. Houston, 30-18
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
Advantage Count: San Antonio Brahmas (3), Houston Roughnecks (2), Push (2)
Special teams will play a role. The Brahmas blocked a punt but were also called for roughing the kicker. Houston has shown flashes in a consistent ST unit, but more so in returns. Wade Phillips has a huge experience advantage over first-year headman Hines Ward. Overall, this will be a slugfest that fans will surely enjoy. San Antonio, 21-20
Betting Line and O/U
Line: Hou -4 O/U: 36.5
Drew Wells (HOU)
This game could go one of two ways: 1) Houston runs away with it but allows a couple of touchdowns, or 2) it is a tight game and the winner could be either team. Houston will still show dominance on defense but will be tested in the run game early. Adjustments and QB pressure will be the story in this one, as I go with option number 1 above. Either way, I believe the over hits, but give me Houston to cover the 4-point spread.
Mike Guardiola (SAN)
This game has all the making of a future classic, with a late-season rematch in week 8 that will no doubt have playoff implications. San Antonio wins outright, and the over hits.
