The following is a breakdown of where each team stands at the conclusion of the 2024 UFL regular season. The top four teams will be competing in the playoffs, while the bottom four teams are done for the season.
1. Birmingham Stallions (9-1)
Week 10 Result: W 20-19 vs. MICH
Birmingham looked hard to beat for most of the regular season until the final few weeks, where the team struggled for its championship standards.
After a 35-28 win over the one-win Roughnecks during week eight in a game that was closer than it should have been, the Stallions took their first loss of the season to the Brahmas, who ran the ball all over their opponent and stopped whatever was thrown at them by Birmingham’s offense. The Stallions didn’t look quite right in Saturday’s game against Michigan either; however, they still came out on top after a missed 53-yard potential walk-off field goal from Panthers kicker Jake Bates.
Despite its recent struggles, Skip Holtz’s squad is still the favorite to win it all entering the playoffs. The Stallions face the Panthers for the second straight week at home. This time, it will be in a win-or-go-home contest for the USFL Conference Championship.
2. St. Louis Battlehawks (7-3)
Week 10 Result: W 13-12 vs. SA
There’s much to consider when comparing St. Louis and San Antonio for the No. 2 ranking. Both teams have two of the best offensive lines in the UFL and are equally good defensively—upfront and in the secondary.
Hakeem Butler (St. Louis) and Jontre Kirklin (San Antonio) are some of the top offensive playmakers in the entire league on these teams. However, when push comes to shove, it comes down to quarterback play. San Antonio offensively looked like a whole different unit when Garbers wasn’t in during the regular season. And I’m not saying the Brahmas don’t stand a chance without Garbers if he’s inactive on Saturday; but missing him will undoubtedly put them at a disadvantage against A.J. McCarron and the Battlehawks
St. Louis also beat San Antonio twice during the regular season, albeit both games were very close and determined by one possession. Can Anthony Becht’s squad replicate or eclipse those performances?
3. San Antonio Brahmas (7-3)
Week 10 Result: L 13-12 @ STL
San Antonio has one of the toughest and most talented defenses in the UFL, and that indeed showed in the team’s last two regular-season contests, which saw an 18-9 win over the previously undefeated Stallions and then a 13-12 loss in a defensive battle to the Battlehawks and their high-powered offense.
The good news for the Brahmas is they have a prime opportunity to redeem last week’s loss and another loss to St. Louis earlier during the season
San Antonio has great things going for them, from one of the best rushing attacks in the UFL with Anthony McFarland Jr. leading the way to Jontre Kirklin and Marquez “Speedy” Stevenson headlining the receiving corps. Now, hopefully, starting quarterback Chase. Garbers is active after reaggravating an injury that moved him to the Injured Reserve earlier this season.
Defensively, Jordan Williams and Tavante Beckett are two of the best linebackers in the league, while Darius Phillips, Teez Tabor, and Bryce Thompson are reliable shutdown corners. Last week, St. Louis’ top receivers, Jahcour Pearson and Hakeem Butler, were held to just 36 and 34 receiving yards, respectively, thanks to excellent secondary play.
4. Michigan Panthers (7-3)
Week 10 Result: L 20-19 @ BHAM
The Panthers had their five-game losing streak snapped by the Stallions to finish the regular season. Michigan outplayed Birmingham in the first half, entering halftime with a 19-6 lead. However, things unraveled in the second half as the Stallions sparked a mini-comeback and won in a game that came down to the final seconds.
The Panthers held Stallions quarterback Adrian Martinez to just 120 passing yards but were rushed on for an average of 6.1 yards per attempt during the contest. The Panthers had similar success in stopping Birmingham’s passing attack during week two but just weren’t consistent in stopping the run/quarterback scramble.
If Michigan wants to have more success and beat the Stallions in these teams’ third meeting of the season—this time for the USFL Conference Championship—containing Martinez and stopping the one-two punch of C.J. Marable and Ricky Person Jr. in the traditional run game will be vital.
Each of Michigan’s and Birmingham’s two games during the regular season were closely contested, defensive battles and that’s exactly what I expect from this upcoming matchup in a win-or-go-home scenario.
5. Arlington Renegades (3-7)
Week 10 Result: W 32-31 @ DC
Oh, what could have been…
While quarterback Luis Perez finished first in every passing category imaginable, the Renegades as a whole had an underwhelming season on the heels of their XFL Championship last year.
Arlington learned the hard way that every possession mattered, as the team suffered a UFL-high five losses in games determined by one possession, including three losses on walk-off field goals.
Whether Perez returns next season or not, the future of the Renegades appears to be bright with young quarterbacks Lindsey Scott Jr. and Holton Ahlers in position to take over, plus other young potential-filled players like wide receiver Isaiah Winstead, offensive guard Marcus Minor, offensive tackle Noah Henderson, cornerback Delonte Hood, among others.
6. D.C. Defenders (4-6)
Week 10 Result: L 32-21 vs. ARL
2024 was a rebuilding year for the Defenders after a nine-win 2023 season that saw them fall one game short of an XFL Championship. This season, D.C. obtained a win total worth less than half of last year’s.
D.C.’s fall from glory can mainly be attributed to the team’s high player turnover rate from last year. The Defenders lost many key pieces, especially offensively, from last season that either are now on NFL teams or couldn’t play due to injury. With all the voids that needed to be filled, we saw the introduction of young stars like wide receiver Ty Scott and defensive end Malik Fisher, among others.
Scott, despite starting the season as backup, finished as D.C.’s leader in receiving yardage (418) as a newcomer, while Fisher was with the team last season and saw a huge increase in his role year-over-year. Fisher posted 32 tackles and six sacks this season compared to six tackles in a reserve role in 2023.
Assuming D.C.’s promising young core returns, along with some of the more seasoned players like quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and defensive end Derick Roberson, the Defenders have a strong base to build on for next year.
7. Memphis Showboats (2-8)
Week 10 Result: W 19-12 vs. HOU
The Showboats ended their nine-game losing streak with a win in the Tank Bowl over the Roughnecks. With its win, Memphis will get the first pick in each round of the 2025 UFL Draft, which we really know little about—no date, no player pool, etc.
The Showboats’ win on Sunday signifies their season sweep of Houston, the only team Memphis beat this season.
While the offense was about average throughout the season, defense is where the Showboats really struggled—allowing 30+ points in six of their ten games. Something will have to give if Memphis wants to see defensive improvement next season.
8. Houston Roughnecks (1-9)
Week 10 Result: L 19-12 @ MEM
Aside from a win over Arlington in week four, not much went well for the Roughnecks this season. I think Houston’s 19-12 loss on Sunday to Memphis, filled with unforced errors and mental lapses, summed up their season pretty well.
The Roughnecks enter the offseason with many questions that need to be answered. Are veteran tailback Mark Thompson and linebacker Reuben Foster returning for next season? Is the 2025 starting quarterback on Houston’s roster right now? Is C.J. Johnson the right man to remain at the helm of this team?
