What Is The Difference Between The Nfl And Xfl
Are you interested in learning about the difference between the NFL and XFL? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve designed this page to equip you with all the information you need to know. In the guide below, we’ve included sections about rules, salaries, betting, and so much more.
- The original XFL ran for a single season in 2001, as a joint venture between the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and NBC spearheaded by Vince McMahon and NBC executive Dick Ebersol.The league attempted to be a competitor to the National Football League—the predominant professional league of American football in the United States (and where NBC had lost its broadcast rights to CBS three.
- Main Difference in XFL Bets vs NFL Bets The main deviation though, is found with the strategy accompanying these plays. Like the differences between the betting of pro and college games, the strongest point of contrast will be how and why these games are wagered the way they are.
Much faster play block: The XFL has a 25-second play clock compared to the NFL's 40-second play clock. A difference of 15 seconds may not sound like a lot, but this change will definitely be felt. In the NFL, a catch requires that a player has both of their feet in bounds. However, with the XFL, a play can be ruled a catch as long as at least one foot or another portion of the player’s body makes contact with the field of play. The extra-point kick has become stale in the NFL. So, the XFL is bringing a new twist to the game after a touchdown. Following a touchdown, the team can choose between running a one, two.
Before we dive into things, we wanted to provide you with a quick look at all the topics we’ll cover in this guide about the XFL vs NFL. If you’d like to get the most out of this page, be sure to keep scrolling below to review everything we’ve included. However, you can click on any one of the subjects below if you’d prefer to jump ahead to it immediately.
XFL and NFL Rulebook Differences
You might be wondering about the NFL and XFL differences when it comes to the rules of the gameplay. In this section, we’re going to kick things off by discussing what’s similar between the two. Then, after that, we’ll move into talking about some of the ways the rules of the XFL and NFL vary. As you’ll see, some rulebook differences are quite significant.
Similarities Between XFL and NFL Rules
Up first, we wanted to include some of the primary ways in which the rules of the XFL and NFL are similar. Check out the details below to learn more.
- Field Size
- Four Downs
- Positions
Both the XFL and NFL will use the same 100-yard field.
Both leagues utilize the same four downs to move the ball rule.
The NFL and the XFL both have the same positions and number of players of offense and defense.
Differences Between XFL and NFL Rules
Now that we’ve talked about some of the significant similarities between the XFL rules vs NFL, we wanted to feature some of the main differences between the two. Check out the breakdowns below about the difference between the NFL and XFL.
Running Clock
With the XFL, the clock will run unless there’s a timeout or the two-minute warning. This is different from the NFL, where many things, including first downs, can stop the clock. The reason behind this is one of the XFL’s main goals was to ensure the game moved along much faster than a typical NFL game.
Timeouts
With the NFL, teams receive a total of three time outs for each half of the game. However, in the XFL, there are only two timeouts for each team per half.
Point After Plays
If you’re used to the NFL, then you’re familiar with the idea of kicked extra points after a touchdown. But, with the XFL, there are no kicked extra points. Instead, teams can try to earn between one and three extra points by making a play from the two, five, or 10-yard line.
Forward Passes
With the NFL, there can only be one forward pass each play. However, in the XFL, as long as the first forward pass is caught behind the line of scrimmage, another forward pass can be made. In total, this provides teams the chance to make two forward passes in the XFL.
Overtime Penalties
In the XFL, earning penalties during overtime will cost the teams more severely than if they occurred during regular play. With the NFL, there aren’t distinguishing penalties depending on when they happen.
Challenges
Coaches in the XFL won’t have the ability to make any coach’s challenges. This differs from the NFL, which does allow this option.
Kickoffs
Kickoffs in the XFL will vary quite a bit from what folks are used to with the NFL. Some of the major differences include where each of the teams can start, who can move and when, and what happens with touchbacks. The overall goal of these rule changes is to help make kickoffs safer for the players and to increase the number of returns compared to the NFL.
Catches
In the NFL, a catch requires that a player has both of their feet in bounds. However, with the XFL, a play can be ruled a catch as long as at least one foot or another portion of the player’s body makes contact with the field of play.
Punting
Punting rules also has some significant differences for the NFL vs XFL. For starters, with the XFL, the team that’s punting can’t cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted. In addition, XFL punts that go out of bounds or are touchbacks will be placed on the 35-yard line of the receiving team.
Overtime Format
One last way the rules of the XFL vs NFL differ relates to the format of overtime. If you’re familiar with soccer, things operate similar to a soccer shootout. In XFL overtime, each team will have five tries to score from the five-yard line. After all five attempts, the team with the most number of successful tries will win the game.
For a more in-depth look at XFL rules, don’t miss the link included below. Here, you’ll be able to gain additional insight into everything you need to know about the league’s rules.
The XFL as a Business
In this next section, we’re going to get you up to speed on the XFL as a business. Here, you’ll be able to learn about things like player and coach salaries as well as ticket prices. We’ll also stack things up between the XFL vs NFL to help you get an idea of how the two football leagues compare.
XFL Coach Salaries
To get this section started, we’re first going to present you with salary information for XFL coaches. After that, we’ve also added in details on how the XFL coaches fair in relation to NFL coaches.
With the return of the XFL being so fresh, there isn’t a ton of detailed data yet relating to the specifics of XFL coach salaries. However, the commissioner of the XFL, Oliver Luck, stated in a late 2019 interview that coaches in the XFL would have a salary amounting to around $500,000 per season. We expect former Oklahoma Sooners coach Bob Stoops will make more than all the other coaches, as he’s the most famous coach out of the eight head coaches.
So, how does the estimate of $500,000 per season for XFL coaches stack up against NFL coaches? Well, as you probably expected, it’s quite a bit different. Some of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL, like Bill Belichick, earn more than $10,000,000 per season. However, the overall average across all NFL head coaches is around $6,000,000, according to Forbes. In turn, it means XFL coaches make, on average, less than 10% of what NFL coaches do.
Despite the large current gap in the pay for coaches between the NFL vs XFL, we expect the gap between the two should get smaller with time if the XFL can gain popularity. As the league generates more revenue, coaches should have the ability to earn significantly more.
XFL Player Salaries
Now that you’ve gotten a look at information relating to the XFL coaches’ salaries, we didn’t want to leave you without details about how the players themselves are doing. In this section, we’re going to stack up how the salaries for players in the XFL are compared to their NFL counterparts.
We’ll be honest, the salaries for XFL players aren’t all too exciting. According to Pro Football Talk, the XFL told player agents before the 2020 season that the average player salary would be around a mere $55,000 per season. No, that’s not a typo, you read that right.
The $55,000 figure is comprised of a base salary, bonuses for being active players on game day, and bonuses for being on a team that wins. However, it’s worth noting while we’re here, there have been some reported potential disputes relating to the pay players were actually seeing.
All of that said, Oliver Luck estimated top players within the XFL would be able to make upwards of $250,000. While this is a decent sum of money for the best players in the league, the overall player average is a figure which isn’t overly exciting for most.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to guess players in the NFL make more, on average, than XFL players. However, how much more do NFL players make each season? First up, let’s talk about what the top players in the NFL football league can make. For the 2019 season, the top 20 highest paid NFL players all made more than $20,000,000. That’s a stark difference from the estimate of $250,000 for the best players in the XFL.
However, the $20,000,000 figure is what the top players in the NFL make, not the average. For the NFL, the average player makes about $2,700,000 each season. When comparing that to the average XFL salary of just $55,000, it means NFL players make almost 50 times as much per year over XFL players.
As with the coach’s salaries, we don’t expect the XFL average salary will be low forever if the league can gain popularity. We hope to see player salaries rise as the league’s revenue climbs. In turn, the XFL could hope to attract more players when it becomes more attractive to play in the league.
XFL Ticket Prices
Finally, one last thing we wanted to provide you with in this portion of our XFL vs NFL page is how ticket prices differ. For most XFL teams, tickets start as low as $20 for the 2020 season. At the high end of things, prices tend to top out right around the $100 mark. On average, it seems most folks are paying somewhere around $30 to $40 to see a game this season.
Once again, things are much higher when it comes to ticket prices for an NFL game. On average, game tickets for the NFL come in around $102, according to Statista. In turn, this means average ticket prices for the NFL come in more than double that of the XFL league.
Will Betting on the XFL be Different Too?
Up next, we wanted to provide you with some color on how betting might differ between the XFL vs NFL. If you’re a seasoned NFL bettor, there are some things you’ll want to be aware of when betting on the XFL.
- Scoring Implications
- Announcers
- Available Information
- Fewer Teams
- Kickoff and Punt Rules
If you’re a fan of betting on totals, you’ll want to take into account that scores from the XFL games will most likely be much higher than your typical NFL games. This is due to the changes the XFL made to help keep the game moving quickly and allowing players more time to score.
If you’ve never watched an XFL game before, one of the things which might surprise you is that the announcers will talk about the game’s spread and over/under as the match happens. It’s even shown on the screen. This is something you’ll never see from NFL announcers. In addition, since the coaches and players are aware this information is displayed, there’s a chance they might work harder to try and beat the spread to become a crowd favorite.
When betting on the XFL, there’s much less available information. For starters, many of the players on the teams are relatively unknown. This is in stark contrast to the NFL, where there are stats galore on each player. Also, with the shorter season for the NFL vs XFL, there’s less time for sports bettors to study the teams and players.
With only eight teams in the XFL, it’s easier to study up on each team when compared to the 32 teams within the NFL.
With the XFL rules relating to punts and kickoffs, the goal is to drive more returns by players. In turn, XFL teams with better special teams and return units might have a more significant edge in the XFL than they would if they were in the NFL.
XFL Betting Sites vs NFL Betting Sites
The last section of our guide about the XFL vs NFL is centered around the topic of their respective betting sites. Even if you’ve got an existing NFL betting website, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s where you should do your XFL betting online. Keep reading below to make sure you end up working with a quality XFL betting site for your online wagers.
What You Should Look for in an XFL Betting Site
To kick this section off, we first wanted to educate you about what you should be looking for in an online XFL betting website. Below, we’ve provided a summary of some of the core things we think you’ll want to ensure an XFL betting site brings to the table.
Broad XFL Betting Options
One of the first things you should seek in an online XFL betting site is a comprehensive collection of XFL wagers. Here, you’re searching for a sports betting website with lots of options for betting on the XFL. Look for a variety of bet types to ensure everything you want is included.
Leading XFL Odds
Something else you should look for in an XFL betting websi te is competitive odds on the XFL league. If you’re new to online sports betting, you might not be aware of how much difference the lines can be between competing online sportsbooks.
Live XFL Betting
Next up, another vital aspect of a top XFL betting site is live betting. Otherwise known as in-play wagers, live betting allows you the chance to bet on the games as they happen, as opposed to just before the game starts. Using this type of bet can make betting on the XFL even more fun and entertaining.
XFL Bonuses
Lastly, one other important thing for you to look for when searching for an XFL betting site is bonuses applicable to XFL wagers. Seek online betting websites offering welcome and additional bonuses relevant to action on the XFL.
To view an expanded list of things to look for in an ideal XFL betting site, be sure to visit our primary online XFL betting websites page linked below.
XFL Betting Sites
What’s Different From NFL Betting Sites?
You might be wondering what’s different between an online XFL betting site and an NFL one. While many NFL betting websites might offer action on the XFL, not all of them will. And, even if XFL wagers are included, you still want to ensure all our suggested criteria above are met. By looking for all these critical features, you’ll be sure you’ll have a quality XFL betting online experience as opposed to a subpar one.
Best Betting Sites for XFL and NFL Action
If you’re interested in betting on the NFL or XFL, check out the chart included below. Here, we’ve added a collection of trusted betting websites offering odds on both football leagues. Our team has analyzed each website to ensure these are the top options if you’re looking for online XFL or NFL betting sites. Each one of these suggestions meets all our suggested criteria from the start of this section, so we’re sure you’ll be pleased with your online betting experience.
Betting Site | Bonus | Bet Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | up to €30 Free Bet | Go to Site | |
| 2 | 22Bet | 100% up to €122 | Go to Site |
| 3 | 100% up to €200 | Go to Site | |
| 4 | 10Bet | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
| 5 | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
XFL vs NFL FAQ
Before we wrap things up, we wanted to add in some frequently asked questions about the XFL vs NFL. If you’re still in search of some details, we hope this section can help you find the information you’re looking for.
What Is The Difference Between The Nfl And Xfl
Final Words on XFL vs NFL
We hope you found all the information on this page about the NFL vs XFL helpful. If you enjoyed the details included here, you might also want to check out some of our other excellent guides relating to the XFL and the NFL. You can use the main website menu to explore everything we have to offer. Thanks for visiting our site, and best of luck with all your future XFL and NFL wagers!
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The 2020 XFL season will begin this weekend, and if you’re planning on tuning in to get your football fix during the NFL offseason, you may be a little confused by the league’s new rules. The XFL has made several major rule changes in an attempt to reduce overall game times and produce more highlight-reel plays.
Here’s a primer on all the major rule changes and differences from standard NFL rules.
SCORING RULES:
Point-after touchdown plays
In the XFL, there are no kicked extra points after touchdowns. Instead, teams will have an option to run a play to score either 1, 2 or 3 extra points, creating the possibility for a 9-point touchdown.A 1-point try will be run from the 2-yard line. A 2-point try will start at the 5-yard line, and a 3-point try will start at the 10-yard line.GAME RULES:
Double-forward passes
Unlike in the NFL, the XFL will allow two forward passes on a play, provided that the first forward pass is caught behind the line of scrimmage.
What is a catch?
In the XFL, receivers only need to have one foot – or any other part of their body – contact the ground in bounds, instead of two feet in the NFL. Here is how the league defines what a catch is:
Secures control of a live ball in flight before the ball touches the ground.Touches the ground in bounds with any part of his body, and thenMaintains control of the ball long enough to enable him to perform an act common to the game, i.e., long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.Kickoffs
The XFL designed its kicking rules in a way to increase the amount of returns we see compared to the NFL, and to make returns safer. Kickoffs are going to look very different.
On a kickoff, the kicker will kick the ball from their own 30-yard line, but every blocker will be lined up on the opposing team’s 35-yard line. The return team blockers will be lined up at their own 30, just five yards away.
Only the kicker and receiver can move before the ball is caught. All other blockers are permitted to move when the ball is caught, or three seconds after it hits the ground, if the ball isn’t caught.
Kicks that fly out of bounds, or kicks that fall short of the opposing 20-yard line, will result in the receiving team taking the ball at the kicking team’s 45-yard line.
Touchbacks will result in the receiving team starting at their own 35-yard line.
Teams will be required to inform an official if they plan to use an onside kick, meaning they cannot surprise the opposing team with an onside kick.
Punts
Punting rules have also been changed to entice coaches to go for it on fourth down.
All punts that result in touchbacks will be placed on the receiving team’s 35-yard line. Punts that go out of bounds will also be placed on the receiving team’s 35-yard line, or wherever the ball went out if that occurred before reaching the 35.
The punting team may not cross the line of scrimmage before the ball is punted, which should reduce the amount of fair catches significantly.
Challenges
There are no coaches challenges in the XFL. All reviews will be initiated by a replay official. Via the XFL, here is a list of reviewable plays:
(a) Plays involving possession. (b) Plays involving touching of either the ball or the ground. (c) Plays governed by the goal line. (d) Plays governed by the boundary lines. (e) Plays governed by the line of scrimmage. (f) Plays governed by the line to gain. (g) Number of players on the field at the snap. (h) Game administration. (1) Penalty enforcement. (2) Proper down. (3) Spot of a foul. (4) Status of the game clock. (i) Disqualification of a player. This list of reviewable plays is identical to those in the NFL prior to 2019.
OVERTIME FORMAT:
The XFL has devised a completely new format for overtime, which is comparable to a shootout in soccer.
In overtime, each team’s offense will have five attempts to complete a two-point conversion from the five-yard line, with each successful conversion being worth two points. The team with the most points at the end of the shootout is the winner. If one team clinches a win early, the unnecessary remaining rounds of the shootout will not be played.
There will be no coin toss to determine the order of overtime. The visiting team will always make the first two-point attempt.
Defenses cannot score in overtime possessions in the event of a turnover.
Penalties in overtime:
Penalties will be crucial in overtime plays. If the offensive team commits a pre-snap penalty, the ball will moved back and the play will be re-attempted. If the offense commits a post-snap penalty, the play is considered dead, and any score will not count.
If the defense commits a penalty pre-snap, the ball will be moved to the one-yard line. For a post-snap penalty, the offensive team will have the option to re-try the play from the one-yard line if they do not score. Any future penalties committed by the defense in any future round will result in an automatic score for the offense.
TIMING RULES:
Game clock:
The XFL will use a running clock outside of the final two minutes of the second quarter, and the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
What Is The Difference Between The Nfl And Xfl Score
The final two minutes of the second and fourth quarters is what the XFL refers to as the “comeback period.” During these periods, plays that end out of bounds or with an incompletion will stop the clock until the next snap. The clock will be stopped after all other plays that end in bounds until the ball is spotted and five seconds have run off the play clock. In theory, this should give an offensive team leeway to run plays in the center of the field, as they will be able to rush back to the line of scrimmage without time coming off the clock.
The play clock is 25 seconds, and will begin when the ball is spotted following the previous play.
There will be one official on the field dedicated to spotting the ball, in an effort to speed up the process compared to the NFL.
Rule Difference Between Nfl And Xfl
Timeouts:
New Xfl
Each XFL team will receive two timeouts per half, compared to three per half for NFL teams.
The halftime break will be 10 minutes.
Penalties:
The XFL’s “illegal man downfield” rule has been rewritten to make it easier for officials to enforce.
No ineligible player shall be or have been more than three yards beyond the line of scrimmage until a passer throws a legal forward pass that crosses the line of scrimmage. A player is in violation of this rule if any part of his body is beyond the three-yard limit.