Houston Roughnecks & quarterback PJ Walker clear winners as XFL cancels rest of season

Following suit of every other major American team sports league, the XFL has taken drastic steps due to the outbreak of the coronavirus as Vince McMahon's rebooted spring football league has canceled the rest of the season. Will it even be back next year? That remains to be seen, but the league itself is optimistic and appears to be on good financial ground – unlike the recent AAF – thanks to McMahon's deep pockets.

"All players will be paid their base pay and benefits for the 2020 regular season. All XFL ticket holders will be issued refunds or credit towards future games. The XFL is committed to playing a full season in 2021 and future years," the XFL said in an official release.

It was supposed to be a 10-week regular season in the XFL, and the eight teams made it halfway through. XFL players now are allowed to sign with NFL teams should an offer come. And it's quite likely there will be multiple suitors for Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker. He was the clear breakout star of the league and had been the betting favorite to win MVP.

Walker, who played collegiately at Temple and was a practice squad player with the Indianapolis Colts from 2017-19, finished as the XFL leader in passing yards with 1,338 and touchdown throws with 15. Might the Carolina Panthers have some interest? Walker's coach at Temple was new Carolina coach Matt Rhule.

The Roughnecks established themselves as easily the XFL's best team at 5-0; every other club at least two losses -- all futures bets will be returned by the sportsbooks. Houston also led the XFL in scoring at 31.6 points per game. The Los Angeles Wildcats and New York Guardians had opened the season with the best odds to win the XFL title, but L.A. was 2-3 and New York 3-2.

From a betting perspective, no team was better than 3-2 against the spread. The worst club was Tampa Bay at 1-4 ATS. Houston had the best Over-Under record at 4-1. 

Will Roughnecks QB P.J. Walker be on an NFL roster Week 1 of the 2020 season? Via SportsLine oddsmakers:

Yes -450

No +370