After being forced to shut down during its 2020 relaunch season because of the global pandemic and a change in ownership, the XFL will return again for a brand new season in 2023. The eight-team league will begin play on Feb. 18 when the Vegas Vipers take on the Arlington Renegades (-3.5) in a 3 p.m. ET kickoff. That game will be followed by the Orlando Guardians vs. Houston Roughnecks (-3.5) at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. 

Another doubleheader will follow on Sunday with the St. Louis BattleHawks taking on San Antonio Brahmas (+2.5) at 3 p.m. ET and then the Seattle Sea Dragons matching up with DC Defenders (+1.5) at 8 p.m. ET. The latest XFL odds from Caesars Sportsbook lists the spread for all four games at under a field goal and there could be some holes to exploit in the market for yet another startup football league. 

Before locking in any Week 1 XFL bets, you definitely want to see what SportsLine football expert Emory Hunt has to say. 

Hunt is the founder and CEO of Football Gameplan, which has been supplying analysis of all levels of football since 2007. He is a former running back for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and knows the game from a player's perspective. Hunt's dedication to analysis of all levels of college and professional football helped him start the USFL season 24-18 last year.

Now Hunt has broken down the Week 1 of the 2023 XFL season and made his spread picks for every game. We can tell you that he's backing the DC Defenders (+1.5) as they wrap up the week against the Seattle Sea Dragons.

"This is going to be the best matchup of the weekend, as the teams rank No. 1(DC) and No. 2 (SEA) for me in terms of roster construction. D.C. has the much better quarterback room, led by Jordan Ta'amu and D'Eriq King. And the Sea Dragons have an edge at wide receiver, led by Josh Gordon and Kelvin McKnight," Hunt said. "However, the biggest matchup will be up front between the Sea Dragons defensive line vs. the Defenders offensive line. I do like what the Sea Dragons have in that matchup, but I like the mobility of Ta'amu and King to supersede that potential pressure."

Hunt has locked in plays for every other game during Week 1 of the XFL season, including one on a team "built with being a bully in mind." You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks before making any of your own.

Which teams should you be backing in Week 1 of the 2023 XFL season? ... Join SportsLine right now to see who wins and covers in every XFL game, all from the football expert who has examined these teams from every angle!