XFL 2023 Week 8 Fantasy Rankings, Schedule, Live Stream and Odds

We're approaching the end of the 2023 XFL regular season, and the playoff race is getting very interesting.

Up until Week 7, the D.C. Defenders appeared to be an unstoppable juggernaut that might not lose a game. Last weekend, though, they shocking fell to the previously winless Orlando Guardians.

The Defenders are still atop the XFL North, but the St. Louis Battlehawks and Seattle Sea Dragons are closing in.

The Houston Roughnecks, meanwhile, have lost three in a row following a 4-0 start. They now have a mere one-game lead over the Arlington Renegades in the division.

A lot will be decided in Week 8, and the action kicks off on Saturday with the Battlehawks hosting the Vegas Vipers. Here's everything you need to know about this week's slate, including scheduling information, odds and updated fantasy rankings.

XFL Standings

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: A general view of the XFL logo on the goalpost padding during the second half of the game between the DC Defenders and the Vegas Vipers at Audi Field on March 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

XFL North

D.C. Defenders 6-1

St. Louis Battlehawks 5-2

Seattle Sea Dragons 5-2

Vegas Vipers 2-5

XFL South

Houston Roughnecks 4-3

Arlington Renegades 3-4

San Antonio Brahmas 2-5

Orlando Guardians 1-6

XFL Week 8

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: A close up of an XFL leather game football on natural turf grass during the Seattle Sea Dragons versus D.C. Defenders XFL football game on February 19, 2023 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Saturday, April 8

Vegas Vipers at St. Louis Battlehawks

When: 1 p.m. ET

Line and Over/Under: St. Louis -7, 46.5

TV and Live Stream: ESPN, ESPN Depirtes and ESPN+

Arlington Renegades at Orlando Guardians

When: 4 p.m. ET

Line and Over/Under: Orlando -1.5, 42.5

TV and Live Stream: ESPN and ESPN+

Sunday, April 9

Houston Roughnecks at San Antonio Brahmas

When: 3 p.m. ET

Line and Over/Under: Houston -5, 40.5

TV and Live Stream: ABC and ESPN+

D.C. Defenders at Seattle Sea Dragons

When: 7 p.m. ET

Line and Over/Under: Seattle -1.5, 46.5

TV and Live Stream: ESPN2 and ESPN+

*Odds via FanDuel

Fantasy Rankings

Quarterback

1. Ben DiNucci, Seattle Sea Dragons

2. AJ McCarron, St. Louis Battlehawks

3. Jordan Ta'amu, D.C. Defenders

4. Quinten Dormady, Orlando Guardians

5. Luis Perez, Arlington Renegades

7. Cole McDonald, Houston Roughnecks

7. Jalan McClendon, Vegas Vipers

8. Kurt Benkert, San Antonio Brahmas

Running Back

1. Abram Smith, D.C. Defenders

2. Brian Hill, St. Louis Battlehawks

3. De'Veon Smith, Arlington Renegades

4. Max Borghi, Houston Roughnecks

5. Rod Smith, Vegas Vipers

6. Jah-Maine Martin, Orlando Guardians

7. Ryquell Armstead, D.C. Defenders

8. Devin Darrington, Orlando Guardians

9. Jacques Patrick, San Antonio Brahmas

10. Brycen Alleyne, Huston Roughnecks

Wide Receiver

1. Jahcour Pearson, Seattle Sea Dragons

2. Darrius Shepherd, St. Louis Battlehawks

3. Hakeem Butler, St. Louis Battlehawks

4. Blake Jackson, Seattle Sea Dragons

5. Lucky Jackson, D.C. Defenders

6. Josh Gordon, Seattle Sea Dragons

7. Jeff Badet, Vegas Vipers

8. Chris Blair, D.C. Defenders

9. Travell Harris, Houston Roughnecks

10. Landen Akers, San Antonio Brahmas

Tight End

1. Sal Cannella, Arlington Renegades

3. Alizé Mack, San Antonio Brahmas

3. Cody Latimer, Orlando Guardians

4. Ethan Wolf, D.C. Defenders

5. Jake Sutherland, St. Louis Battlehawks

6. Logan Carter, Orlando Guardians

7. Deon Yelder, San Antonio Brahmas

8. Nate Becker, Arlington Renegades

Week 8 Analysis

Last weekend's shocker between the Defenders and Guardians changed both the betting and fantasy landscape just a bit.

The Guardians have found their first victory too late in the season for it to matter in the playoff race, but they did prove that they can close out a game against a quality opponent. Quarterback Quinten Dormady also shined, finishing 27-of-34 for 328 yards and three touchdowns.

For this week, at least, Dormady deserves a place among the league's consistent fantasy quarterbacks, AJ McCarron, Jordan Ta'amu and Ben DiNucci. We'll know by Sunday whether Dormady's performance was a fluke.

The Defenders, meanwhile, are no longer untouchable. Ta'amu (285 yards, 3 TDs) played well, but the defense did not.

Unsurprisingly, the Defenders are underdogs against the red-hot Sea Dragons, while Orlando is favored against the up-and-down Renegades. It won't be a surprise if both D.C. and Orlando pick up another victory in Week 8.

The Battlehawks feel like a safe pick against the Vegas Vipers, even though Vegas crushed the San Antonio Brahmas last week. San Antonio got inconsistent play from quarterbacks Kurt Benkert and Jawon Pass (24-of-37 for 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT combined) in that game, and it could struggle again against Houston.

However, the Roughnecks are in a slump, so that may be a game worth avoiding altogether.

The loss of wideout Jontre Kirklin for the season has severely impacted the Houston offense, and fantasy managers should adjust accordingly—though Max Borghi (5 TDs) remains one of the league's top touchdown scorers.

Aside from some shuffling at quarterback, there aren't many notable changes to the fantasy rankings this week. Josh Gordon gets a boost after the Sea Dragons wideout caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown in Week 7.

It's worth noting, though, that Gordon finished without a catch in Week 6 and remains streaky.

Borghi, Abram Smith, Brain Hill, Darrius Shepherd, Jahcour Pearson and Lucky Jackson remain among the top backs and receivers. As has been the case pretty much all season, Sal Cannella, Alizé Mack and Cody Latimer are the only tight ends worth starting in daily fantasy sports (DFS) leagues. Just be sure to check Latimer's listing, as the versatile pass-catcher is now being categorized as a receiver in some formats.

21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, or WV. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, IN, IL, NJ, PA, VA), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY(467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).

B/R Recommends

Josh Gordon's 'Catch of the Season' in XFL Has Fans Clamoring for WR's NFL Comeback
XFL Fans Clown Josh Gordon, Ben DiNucci for Seattle QB Appearing to Want WR Benched
XFL 2023 Results: Week 6 Scores and Best Twitter Reaction from Saturday
A.J. McCarron '100 Percent' Believes NFL Could Adopt Some of XFL's Rule Changes
XFL 2023 Results: Week 1 Scores and Best Twitter Reaction from Saturday
XFL 2023 Results: Week 6 Scores and Best Twitter Reaction from Monday
XFL 2023 Results: Week 5 Scores and Best Twitter Reaction from Saturday
Ben DiNucci, Josh Gordon Praised by Twitter for XFL Milestone in Sea Dragons' Win
XFL's Josh Gordon Held to 0 Catches as Ben DiNucci, Sea Dragons Win vs. Guardians
XFL Fans Defend Josh Gordon as Ben DiNucci, Sea Dragons Lose to McCarron, BattleHawks

Sponsored Content Why People are So Passionate about Ka'ChavaKa'ChavaGet 50% off real, healthy dog food delivered to your doorThe Farmer's DogCardiologist: Too Much Belly Fat? Do This Before BedHealth WizeMedicare Recipients Are Eligible For 8 Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests Each Monthwellnessguide.orgCompensation For Camp Lejeune Survivors. Do You Qualify?Did You Drink The Water At Camp Lejeune? Take This Quiz To See If You Qualify For Compensationinjuryclaimsservice.comJust legalised in Ohio; Powerful Arthritis ReliefNow Legal: New Arthritis ReliefA Perfect '23 Draft For Every NFL TeamNew ArenaView Today's Fixed Annuity RatesAnnuity Rates | Search AdsSponsored1/5 Gronk's Favorite "Dressy" Shoes Feel Like Walking On CloudsWolf & ShepherdRead More Zach Wilson on Jets Signing Veteran QB: I'll Make His 'Life Hell' in Practice LSU's Alexis Morris Calls Out Caitlin Clark, Iowa's 'Very Disrespectful' Defense