# 2025 UFL Week 1 Preview: St. Louis Battlehawks (0-0) vs. Houston Roughnecks (0-0)

- Author: Patrick Rifino
- Published: 2025-03-27T13:31:52Z
- Updated: 2026-07-09T17:08:49Z
- Categories: UFL (ufl), Houston Gamblers (houston-gamblers), St. Louis Battlehawks (st-louis-battlehawks)
- Canonical URL: https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/2025-ufl-week-1-preview-st-louis-battlehawks-0-0-vs-houston-roughnecks-0-0

The First Week of the UFL Season is finally here. After the 2023 season were the USFL and XFL went head-to-head, and a merger in 2024 season, the UFL marches on into their 2nd season with Kickoff Weekend beginning with the St. Louis Battlehawks taking on the Houston Roughnecks.

**Weather:** Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 67F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

**Location:**TDECU Stadium Houston, TX 8PM (ET) Kickoff March 28th, 2025 on FOX

**Betting Odds Per [Draftkings (March 26th):](https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/football/ufl)**

**Spread:**Battlehawks -6

**Moneyline:**Battlehawks -278, Roughnecks +225

**Over/Under:**37.6

**Depth Chart:**

**Injury Report:**

**Inactives:**

**Three Keys to Victory:**

**Consistency at Quarterback:**

The Battlehawks venture into the 2025 season with a bit of an unknown at the sports most important position. [Manny Wilkins](https://uflnewshub.com/player/manny-wilkins-30443) is slated to make his 3rd career start after working his way up the depth chart going back to 2023. The former ASU alum owns a 1-1 record with a 1:3 TD:INT ratio, however St. Louis could sprinkle in Max Duggan as well. In spring football, it's not uncommon for QBs to have a short leash and it's very possible both QBs are keeping the "seat" warm for 1st Round Pick Chevan Cordiero.

**Keeping The Pressure On:**

The Roughnecks are slated to start [Anthony Brown](https://uflnewshub.com/player/anthony-brown-33221) at QB, an NFL veteran who has 150 Pass attempts (49 Reg Season, 101 Preseason), across Three years. With Brown being one of the more experienced QBs in the [UFL](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl) Saint Louis will have to take advantage of a Roughnecks Offensive Line that is dealing with injuries. If the Battlehawks are able to maximize their EDGE Rushers in a 3-man front don't be surprised if Coach CJ Johnson opts for the more mobile [Nolan Henderson](https://uflnewshub.com/player/nolan-henderson-32151) this week.

**What is the Roughnecks Identity:**

Since 2022 the Roughnecks (22/23 Gamblers), have been a team that has relayed heavily on their rushing attack and stout Defense. In 2024, Houston had no true identity with the regression of Mark Thompson, inconsistency at QB, and a Defense that underwhelmed. Relaying heavily on a new roster buoyed by young talent through the UFL Draft, the Roughnecks may be in line for a slow start that yields similar results from the 2024 season.

**Closing Thoughts and Prediction:**

While the 2025 season underway, the Battlehawks seem to be in a season of change and transition. While the team still rosters a veteran centered team, the team did try to get younger at QB and Offensive Line. With so much change in the off-season for Saint Louis, the team is being thrown a "softball" with taking on the [Houston Roughnecks](https://uflnewshub.com/team/houston-gamblers) who many believe to be one of the UFL's worst teams this year. Overall, while it may not be pretty, I expect the **Battlehawks**to take care of business defeating Houston **23-12** to open the season 1-0.

From UFL News Hub. Please link to https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/2025-ufl-week-1-preview-st-louis-battlehawks-0-0-vs-houston-roughnecks-0-0 when citing. More at https://uflnewshub.com/llms.txt