The Battlehawks are riding a hot streak coming off the last Two weeks under Quarterback Max Duggan. St. Louis has continued to be in “win-now” mode during the final Four weeks of the season. With the Defenders beating the Brahmas, and the Renegades set to taking on the Michigan Panthers at noon on Saturday (May 10th), the Battlehawks have a chance to remain in contention for a playoff spot with a win against the Memphis Showboats.
Weather: Cloudy in the morning, then thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 74F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, TN 3:00PM (ET) Kickoff May 11nd, 2025 on ESPN
Betting Odds Per Draftkings (May 10th):
Spread: Battlehawks -5.5
Moneyline: Battlehawks -238, Show +195
Over/Under: 38.5
Depth Chart:
The Battlehawks resigned Sam Wiglusz and Teton Saltes upon the release of Denzel Mims and Abdul Beecham being placed on injured reserve. Juwann Bushell Beatty returns to the starting lineup at Right Tackle, with Dohnovan West rejoining the starting line up.
Inactives:
The Battlehawks will be also without Freedom Akinmoladun this week, along with Austin Faoliu this week. Carson Wells and Olakunle Fatukasi are back in active for St. Louis as well. Offensive Linemen Cole Spencer and Ryan Coll switch activation spots this week.
Three Keys to Victory:
Prime Time Pita:
Pita Taumoepenu has been everything the Battlehawks needed in 2025 and more. What some could consider a “down year” in 2024, the former XFL Defensive Player of the Year winner has been a havoc for opposing Offensive Tackles not just in the passing attack but holding his own in the run fit. Taumoepenu leads the league in sacks and is coming off a two-sack performance that earned him Week 6 player of the week honors.
Bring Back the Saylors Show:
After taking the league by storm the first Two weeks 2024 All-UFL running back Jacob Saylors’ production has cooled off a bit. While the film says there is more than meets the eye, the Battlehawks Running Back room as a whole hasn’t had the same amount of success since week 2. While Duggan and Wilkins always do their part adding to the rushing total, St. Louis still lacks a true explosive passing attack minus the “heaves” to Butler if the Battlehawks can implement Saylors through the air and on the ground, they should have a pretty easy day ahead of them.
Nick Whiteside vs Daewood Davis
All-UFL Wide Receiver Daewood Davis is back in the mix, with the Showboats sending Dee Anderson to the San Antonio Brahmas this week. Davis who had dealt with injuries going back from his time with the Carolina Panthers is back and is set to line up against Nick Whiteside. Whiteside has been primarily the Battlehawks Nickelback will be forced to go against Davis who’s primed to make an impact with Dresser Winn at QB.
Final Thoughts:
The Showboats have been a different team since switching to Dresser Winn going into their matchup with the Birmingham Stallions. Winn and company have been extremely competitive since his emergence at the Memphis QB giving the Showboats a steady captain on the ship. While Winn has been extremely competent at QB there are plenty of shortcomings that involve his lack of experience. With Winn continuing to grow it and garner more reps the Showboats who return Daewood Davis, along with the recent signing of Wes Hills should be able to move the ball down the field effectively and take advantage of some of the weak points in the Battlehawks defense.
The Showboats Defense made the decision to move on from PJ Hall who had been playing at an All-UFL level this season. St. Louis could take advantage of this as their interior Offensive Line matches up extremely well against the Showboats interior. The pass rush of Memphis will be the decision maker against the Battlehawks this week. The St. Louis Tackles are the weakest piece of the Battlehawks offense and with Duggan’s ability to move it could be a gamechanger for them. The Showboats defense saw Case Cookus rush for 83 yards against them 2 weeks, giving enough film to possibly be a foreshadowing of Max Duggan can produce this week.
With the playoffs on the line and Duggan starting to get his footing the Battlehawks should be able to take advantage of the ground attack this week. I look for St. Louis to take this one by a score of 27-17 keeping pace with the D.C. Defenders in the XFL conference.
