Brahmas and Battlehawks Play for Homefield Advantage: UFL Week 10

Location: The Dome at America Center, Saint Louis, Missouri

Game Date: Saturday, June 1st, 2024

Time: 4:00 PM EST

Channel: FOX

Streaming: UFL games are available on the Fox Sports app.

DraftKings Odds: San Antonio Brahmas(+2.5 ), Saint Louis Battlehawks(-2.5 ), O/U 42.5 points

Week 10 of the UFL season features a matchup between the top two teams in the XFL Conference, the Saint Louis Battlehawks (6-3) and the San Antonio Brahmas (7-2). This Week 10 battle will be the second matchup between the Brahmas and Battlehawks. Saint Louis defeated San Antonio in the Alamodome 31 to 24 in Week 3 of the UFL season. The winner of this Week 10 matchup will earn the right to host the XFL Conference championship game in their home stadium next week. The Brahmas and the Battlehawks have had to overcome many obstacles to get to this point in the season, including injuries to both quarterbacks.

In Week 3, the Brahmas quarterback Chase Garbers suffered a wrist injury, knocking him out of action for five weeks; fortunately for the Brahmas quarterback, Quinten Dormady stepped in and led the Brahmas to a 4-1 record while Garbers was recovering. This week, the Brahmas will have Garbers to lead their offense, but they will be missing tight end Cody Latimer and could be missing running backs John Lovett and Anthony McFarland Jr., both of whom have missed practice time this week. San Antonio comes into Week 10, riding the momentum of Garbers returning to the offense and leading the Brahmas to an upset win over the previously undefeated Birmingham Stallions.

The Battlehawks have also had to deal with an injury to their starting quarterback, AJ McCarron. During a Week 7 matchup between Battlehawks and Birmingham Stallions, McCarron suffered an ankle injury during the Battlehawk’s last drive on offense during a 30 to 26 loss. In the previous two weeks, the Battlehawks offense, led by backup quarterback Manny Wilkins, had mixed results. During Wilkins’s first start in Week 8, the Battlehawks were able to pick a key win against the DC Defenders to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Still, in Week 9, Wilkins threw three interceptions, allowing the 1-win Arlington Renegades to upset the Battlehawks 22 to 36.

With the Battlehawks and Brahmas needing a win to host the XFL Conference championship game, teams will come in ready to do what it takes to pick up a key win. Another important note is that regardless of the outcome, the Battlehawks and Brahmas will face each other again to determine which team will represent the XFL Conference in the 1st UFL championship game in two weeks. So the question teams have to answer is, do they put their best players on the field even if they are not entirely healthy to get home-field advantage, or do the Brahmas and Battlehawks rest their best players so that they have a better chance to win the XFL Conference championship next week?

Let’s look at three key matchups between the Battlehawks and Brahmas in this pivotal game.

Brahmas quarterback Chase Garbers vs. Battlehawks quarterback Manny Wilkins or AJ McCarron

What we know about the matchup between the Brahmas and Battlehawks is that Brahmas quarterback Chase Garbers is likely to get his first start since being injured against the Battlehawks in Week 3. During the Brahmas matchup against the Stallions, Quintin Dormady suffered a shoulder injury and has been limited in practice this week. For the Battlehawks, AJ McCarron practiced this week, but he was limited. It could be challenging for the Battlehawks to start McCarron, possibly before he is healthy, or start Wilkins for the third week, knowing he can lead the Battlehawks despite throwing three interceptions last week against the Renegades.

Brahmas Defensive Front Seven vs. Battlehawks Power Running Game

A constant factor in the success of the Battlehawks success on offense each week of the UFL season is their powerful offensive line and consistent power running game. During the Week 3 matchup between the Brahmas and Battlehawks, San Antonio struggled to get their running game established while the Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors was able to pick up big yards on the ground, running for 8.9 yards/carry, against the Brahmas front seven led by linebacker Tavante Beckett and edge defender Delontae Scott. The Brahmas running game could be hampered due to injuries to running backs John Lovett and Anthony McFarland Jr., leaving Morgan Ellison and Pooka Williams Jr. to carry the load for the Brahmas running game. If the Battlehawks can control the line of scrimmage and run the ball successfully, who is playing quarterback may be OK.

Battlehawks Wide Receivers vs. Brahmas Wide Receivers

A similarity between the Battlehawks and the Brahmas is the success of their receivers in 2024. The Battlehawks offense features the seemingly unstoppable Hakeem Butler, the speedster Jahcour Pearson, and the dependable receiver Darrius Shepherd. San Antonio also features some of the top receivers in the UFL, including the multi-talented Jontre Kirklin, the speedy Marquez Stevenson, and the consistent production of Justin Smith. If both of these groups of receivers have a big week, then we could see an offensive shootout between the Brahmas and Battlehawks.

Game Analysis and Prediction

In this game, the Saint Louis Battlehawks have the top-scoring offense in the UFL. How effective the Battlehawks will be could be determined by whether or not AJ McCarron is healthy enough to play in this Week 10 game. The Brahmas offense has found a way to put enough points on the scoreboard to give themselves a chance to win each week. The Brahmas defense has stepped up in the last two weeks, allowing San Antonio to earn a playoff spot and upset the Birmingham Stallions. Both teams will be motivated to pick up this win due to the Battlehawk’s significant home-field advantage due to a raucous fan base. If both teams play their best game and stay healthy throughout the game, the outcome could come down to Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt and Brahmas kicker Ryan Santoso.

Game Prediction: San Antonio Brahmas 28, Saint Louis Battlehawks 26

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Aaron Sauter

Aaron Sauter is a 23-veteran high school football coach that is also an fan of all levels of football. He is especially interested in alternative football leagues like the CFL, UFL, and IFL. Aaron enjoys analyzing innovative schemes on offense and defense during his free time.

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