Above Image Credit: Pro Football Newsroom
With almost one week left before the UFL regular season finale, the playoff field couldn’t be any more open.
Orlando might have clinched their spot, but there are still three more spots to fill. This weekend, the battle for those spots and more intensifies with rematches, a matchup of top contenders, and one with bigger playoff hopes on the line.
Here’s a sneak preview of the Week 9 games…
DC Defenders (5-3) vs. Orlando Storm (6-2)
Date and Time: Friday, May 22nd, 8:00 PM EST
Location: Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando, FL)
How to Watch: FOX (check your listings)
The reigning champion Defenders could be in big trouble when they take on the Storm, who already clinched a playoff berth.
DC will be without starting QB Jordan Ta’amu after he suffered a season-ending injury in the loss against Louisville. Backup QB Spencer Sanders will be starting this weekend as they look to secure their spot in the playoff round. This will be Sanders’ second game of his UFL career, so he will need the best help possible. Luckily for him, the Defenders are the best overall offensive team of the league. If I were Sanders, I’d pass the ball to RB Deon Jackson, the team’s top rusher. He’ll just have to be careful as Orlando proved looks can be deceiving.
From Week 1, head coach Anthony Becht took a rebranded football team and turned them into a big thing in the league. Now, QB Jake Plummer is one of the best QBs in the league and the leader in overall yards (1,710), attempts (247), and completions (161). They have a formidable offense with Elijhah Badger, JaShaun Corbin, and Chris Rowland, and they have proven themselves hard to stop at certain points. Winning at least one more game will keep them at the top playoff spot until the regular games end.
Birmingham Stallions (4-4) vs. Columbus Aviators (2-6)
Date and Time: Saturday, May 23rd, 3:00 PM EST
Location: Historic Crew Stadium (Columbus, OH)
How to Watch: ABC (check your listings)
The Aviators might have one last chance at a playoff spot if they win their rematch against the Stallions.
Birmingham hanged on to their playoff spot after dominating the Aviators 14-3 last week. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has felt like a miracle since arriving to Birmingham. 71 completions out of 116 along with six TDs and four interceptions in just four games is a whole new deal for him. When this season ends, he will very most likely stay in the team and become their new franchise QB.
Columbus will have their home finale on Sunday with everything on the line. This is a game they can’t afford to lose because if they fail to beat Birmingham again, it is most likely they will be eliminated from playoff contendership. QB Jalan McClendon might be one of the top performing QBs in the league, but he’s yet to make moves that would give people a reason to watch.
Dallas Renegades (3-5) vs. Louisville Kings (4-4)
Date and Time: Sunday, May 24th, 4:00 PM EST
Location: Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, KY)
How to Watch: FOX (check your listings)
Dallas might have a chance to keep fighting for the postseason if they can beat Louisville to end their losing skid.
That will be easier said than done as they once again found themselves coming up short to Orlando 31-24. With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, QB Austin Reed threw an interception that costed the team their chance to tie the game. No one wants to end their regular season with a losing streak, but that seems where Dallas will be heading if the offense can’t get themselves together and keep their focus on the match at hand. However, that remains to be seen, especially against Louisville.
The Kings have been known for the concrete defense that keeps catching the eyes of viewers. They are in the top 3 in defensive stats, and for good reason. They lead in tackles (590 total), interceptions (11), and takeaways (15). Last week, the defense overwhelmed the Defenders on route to their second consecutive win against the reigning champions. Seeing how the Renegades have been lately, the Kings will most likely use their descent to their advantage.
St. Louis Battlehawks (5-3) vs. Houston Gamblers (3-5)
Date and Time: Sunday, May 24th, 7:00 PM EST
Location: Shell Energy Stadium (Houston, TX)
How to Watch: ESPN2 (check your cable listings)
St. Louis will attempt to avoid back-to-back losses against Houston in their pursuit for the UFL playoffs.
They might still in the playoff picture, but now St. Louis now finds other teams coming from behind to take them off the board. The Spring King, Luis Perez, made his start for the first time since being traded to St. Louis from the Renegades. Unfortunately, it ended with a 23-16 loss and frustration all over him. They still have a spot in the top four, but another loss to Houston will allow other teams to sneak up on them from behind.
QB Hunter Dekkers and the Gamblers delivered another one of their better performances of the season. However, they still aren’t close to reaching the playoff spots, and there is still more within their team they should work on. It would take a miracle for Houston to get a spot considering everything they went through this season, from injuries to low attendance.
