American football is one of the major sports leagues in America, with the NFL being the highest professional league. But how much do you know about its minor professional league variant – the XFL? The  XFL was first launched in 2001 by the founder and president of WWE, Vince McMahon, and returned to the public domain in 2020 after 19 years of absence.

When the XFL returned, it included teams such as:

• Dallas Renegades
• New York Guardians
• Tampa Bay Vipers
• Los Angeles Wildcats
• Seattle Dragons
• Houston Roughnecks
• Washington DC Defenders
• St. Louis Battlehawks

Unfortunately, the XFL could only play five weeks of the ten agreed-upon weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, the league bounced back, and fans can now enjoy the competition. Once again, young football players have a chance to develop their football techniques and move into the bigger leagues.

Like NFL  betting, XFL betting is attracting a lot of football enthusiasts globally. This article discusses various aspects of the XFL and the NFL and the difference between these two leagues.

Difference Between the XFL and the NFL

The XFL has eight teams in two divisions of four (East and West). Each team plays 10 games, twice against their three conference rivals and once against each team from the other. Finally, the top two teams which qualify from each group advance to the semifinals. While the NFL has 32 teams, it is divided into two conferences (AFC and NFC). Its regular season runs for 17 weeks, and with the new playoff format, 14 teams will advance, with three wild card games per conference.

Unlike the NFL, there are no bonus points in the XFL. Some plays give different scores that could add up to nine points per touchdown. There are three options, ranging from 2, 5, or 10, worth 1, 2, or 3 points, respectively. In addition, the XFL game clock does not stop after incompletions and going out of bounds. It starts running again when the ball is replaced, much like an NFL game carries off the field.

The XFL play clock is scheduled to run for 25 seconds, not 40, like in the NFL. Teams, therefore, have only two timeouts and a 60-second limit for play review. And as for overtime, the XFL runs a shootout format, with five offensive attempts from the 5-yard line. The team with the most points after five conversions wins, with the possibility of a sixth down if the tie hasn’t been broken.

Factors to Consider for Betting on these Football Leagues

Sports betting is a recreational activity and a game of wits. So here are some factors to look out for:

The ranking and level of the teams: It is important to evaluate and compare the gameplay of the two teams to determine which of them is likely to have a better standing. It is especially critical to assess the teams during the playoffs as the teams’ coaches have a general view of the game and a way of adapting to their opponents. So this is an easy time to understand and predict the players’ tactics in each phase.

The game systems put in place by the coaches: This is the trickiest part. American football is a game of tactics. So studying the matchday game plan can give you a rough idea of the game’s outcome. Coaches often have a broad vision of the game and can offer insight into how they adapt to the opponent. However, it isn’t easy to understand the tactics of each phase.

The injury of a “key player”: A star player’s injury can be a game changer, but replacing him can equally cost the coach the game. So consider reevaluating your betting options when staking on a team which goes into matchday without its key player.

Takeaway

American football is a sport that has a lot to offer, both in the XFL and NFL. Both these leagues share some similar characteristics but differ in their gameplay. So understanding the differences between these two football league variations can help you better enjoy each thrilling moment.