The following is a breakdown of where each team stands through week eight of the 2024 UFL regular season:
1. Birmingham Stallions
Week Eight Result: W 35-28 vs. HOU
The Stallions battled some adversity down the stretch but ultimately came out victorious against the Roughnecks and advanced to 8-0 on the season. Birmingham quarterback Adrian Martinez totaled 217 yards and five touchdowns in the win. He remains the MVP frontrunner in the UFL.
Meanwhile, the Stallions’ defense let up 20+ points for the third straight week, this time against a Roughnecks’ offense that had struggled coming into this game. Stopping the run has emerged as Birmingham’s biggest weakness, as the team has allowed 4.1 yards per carry over its last three games.
San Antonio will pose the next challenge in the Stallions’ quest to remain undefeated next Saturday.
2. Michigan Panthers
Week Eight Result: W 24-18 vs. MEM
The Panthers have been one of the hottest teams in the UFL—on a four-game winning streak with the postseason right around the corner.
To make Michigan’s streak even more impressive, each of the team’s last two victories has come under their third and fourth quarterbacks of the season, as starter Danny Etling has been out with a short-term injury.
The Panthers also lost 2023 USFL DPOY Frank Ginda to the Injured Reserve a couple of weeks ago; however, the defensive unit has seemingly held up just fine. Although D.C. and Memphis haven’t been great offensively this season, Michigan held them to an average of only 13.5 points and 235.0 yards over the last two games.
With playoffs clinched, Mike Nolan’s squad has nothing to play for but pride over the next two weeks of the regular season.
3. St. Louis Battlehawks
Week Eight Result: W 26-21 vs. DC
The Battlehawks bounced back nicely after a tough loss to Birmingham last week, defeating the Defenders without guys like A.J. McCarron, Jahcour Pearson, and Marcell Ateman due to injury.
A touchdown from Wayne Gallman Jr. in the fourth quarter, followed by a forced turnover-on-downs in the final minute sealed the deal for the Battlehawks as they clinched a berth in the XFL Conference Championship with their win.
With a spot in the playoffs already secured, the Battlehawks will spend the next two weeks competing with the Brahmas for home-field advantage in the first round.
4. San Antonio Brahmas
Week Eight Result: W 20-15 vs. ARL
After clinching a playoff spot with a win on Sunday, Brahmas fans got some more good news yesterday as quarterback Chase Garbers was activated off the Injured Reserve. Since Garbers went down in week three, San Antonio just hasn’t looked the same offensively with Quinten Dormady at quarterback.
Before the season, San Antonio offensive coordinator A.J. Smith compared Garbers to P.J. Walker. He was considered an MVP candidate before sustaining his injury.
Meanwhile, on the defensive end, the Brahmas have been stout. Over its last five contests, San Antonio has allowed just six touchdowns and no more than 18 points per game from opponents. The tackling-machine trio of Jordan Mosley, Tavantae Beckett, and Jordan Williams has led the defense with 63, 59, and 59 tackles this season, respectively.
Wade Phillips’ defensive unit will surely be tested against the high-octane Stallions next week.
5. D.C. Defenders
Week Eight Result: L 26-21 @ STL
It’s been quite the fall from glory for the Defenders, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Battlehawks on Sunday. Just last year, D.C. was the XFL regular-season champion with a 9-1 record before being upset in the XFL Championship by the Renegades.
The Defenders’ offensive woes continued against St. Louis, while the defense struggled to stop the injury-ridden Battlehawks in a 26-21 loss. Ta’amu continued making ill-advised decisions, throwing his sixth and seventh interceptions of the season on Sunday. Meanwhile, D.C. totaled just 89 yards on the ground.
With nothing else to play for, the Defenders will spend the last two weeks of the season trying to figure out what could work for next year.
6. Arlington Renegades
Week Eight Result: L 20-15 @ SA
After a 47-point offensive performance last week, the Renegades came crashing back down to earth with a 20-15 loss against the Brahmas. Arlington’s loss signifies San Antonio’s season sweep over Bob Stoops’ squad.
Somewhere, there’s an alternate universe where the Renegades, who are 0-5 in games determined by one possession, are 6-2 and right in the heat of the UFL playoff hunt.
7. Houston Roughnecks
Week Eight Result: L 35-28 @ BHAM
The Roughnecks had their best outing of the season on Saturday night—bringing the undefeated Stallions down to the wire. This came after an embarrassing 32-9 loss to the same team three weeks ago.
Defensively, there wasn’t much C.J. Johnson’s squad could do against the Stallions’ stacked offense, allowing 35 points. But kudos to Houston for managing to keep up with Birmingham scoring-wise. 28 points is a new season-high for the Roughnecks.
8. Memphis Showboats (1-7)
Week Eight Result: L 24-18 @ MICH
The Showboats haven’t experienced a win in almost two months since their season opener against the Roughnecks. However, Memphis deserves credit for continuing to battle week in and week out.
The Showboats allowed 24 points on Sunday against Michigan, the fewest they have given up since week two. Memphis’ offense also showed flashes as it has all season, but couldn’t do enough in the loss. It didn’t help that quarterback Case Cookus exited midgame with an injury.
