How to watch the XFL in Week 1

You thought that football was over? The XFL begs to differ. Vince McMahon’s bid for a professional football league is back and unlike the short-lived AAF, the XFL has his deep pockets ready for support. There are plenty of names you will recognize, like Cardale Jones, Landry Jones, Christine Michael, Lance Dunbar, Sammie Coates and more. And in the coaching ranks, you’ll likely recognize even more, with Bob Stoops, Jim Zorn, Marc Trestman, June Jones, Pep Hamilton, Jerry Glanville, and Norm Chow all helping these players live out their football dreams.

Kickoff weekend is closing in on us, and it’s time to get your popcorn, pizza and adult beverages ready for the big day. There will be four games, two on Saturday and two on Sunday. ABC, FOX and ESPN will broadcast the four matchups, with FS1 and ESPN2 grabbing a few games throughout the season. Pull up a couch cushion and see what it’s all about.

Seattle Dragons at DC Defenders

The XFL kicks the season off in Washington D.C. as Defenders head coach Pep Hamilton matches wits with Dragons head coach Jim Zorn. Hamilton’s offense should remind you of his time as the coordinator in Indianapolis when he helped Andrew Luck to his best statistical season through a pass-heavy game. Zorn will likely show us an old school approach with multiple tight ends and a run-heavy game-script when possible.

The Defenders will start quarterback Cardale Jones against the Dragons’ Brandon Silvers. Kenneth Farrow will handle the starting running back duties for Seattle and Jhurell Pressley, backed up by speedster Donnel Pumphrey, should lead the way for DC.

Game time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Live Stream: (ESPN Sports App)
Date: Saturday, February 8th
Announcers: Steve Levy, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill, Dianna Russini
Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Odds: Defenders -7

Los Angeles Wildcats at Houston Roughnecks

Former NFL linebacker Winston Moss will bring his team to Houston to take on June Jones and his Run and Shoot offense. There is no doubt that Houston is going to throw the ball early and often, so newly named starting quarterback P.J. Walker should get plenty of pass attempts under his belt. The Wildcats quarterback, Josh Johnson, is a game-time decision and if he cannot go, Princeton alum Charles Kanoff will likely get the start.

Game time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Live Stream: (Fox Sports App )
Date: Saturday, February 8th
Announcers: Curt Menefee, Joel Klatt
Location: TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
Odds: Roughnecks -5.5

Tampa Bay Vipers at New York Guardians

This game pits two seasoned NFL offensive coordinators against each other, as Vipers coach Marc Trestman takes on the Guardians and Kevin Gilbride in MetLife Stadium. Trestman is more known for his three CFL Grey Cup wins in Canada, but in the NFL, he was a pass-heavy OC, who couldn’t quite get the wins he needed to stick around. Gilbride won two Super Bowl rings while he was OC of the Giants and will coach in his old stadium.

E-Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray will lead Trestman’s quarterback friendly offense while ex-Penn State and Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin will guide New York, in what should be a more balanced run/pass offense.

Game time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Live Stream: (Fox Sports App )
Date: Sunday, February 9th
Announcers: TBD
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Odds: Vipers -2.5

St. Louis BattleHawks at Dallas Renegades

Ex-NFL tight end Jonathan Hayes and his offensive coordinator Chuck Long, will head to Dallas to take on Bob Stoops and Hal Mumme, as they coach the odds-on favorites to win the title. Stoops and Mumme will bring back the Air Raid offense, while Hayes and Long both worked under Stoops at Oklahoma and will also look to throw the ball a bunch.

The first player in the XFL was Landry Jones, who started under Stoops and was the Steelers backup. Unfortunately, he is hurt and appears to be a game-time decision for this matchup. If he can’t go, we’ll likely see Philip Nelson take over. The BattleHawks will feature ex-Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and former Seahawk Christine Michael at running back.

Game time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: (ESPN Sports App)
Date: Saturday, February 8th
Announcers: Tom Hart, Joey Galloway, Pat McAfee
Location: Globe Life Park, Arlington, TX
Odds: Renegades -7.5