# Columbus Aviators Week 2 Preview vs. DC Defenders: Prediction, Keys to Victory, Odds

- Author: Jonathan Clink
- Published: 2026-04-03T12:48:00Z
- Updated: 2026-07-09T17:08:54Z
- Categories: UFL (ufl), DC Defenders (dc-defenders), Columbus Aviators (columbus-aviators)
- Canonical URL: https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/columbus-aviators-week-2-preview-vs-dc-defenders-prediction-keys-to-victory-odds

**The [Columbus Aviators](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-news-hubs-week-two-quarterback-rankings) will take on the reigning champs, the [DC Defenders](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/united-football-league-announces-week-one-players-of-the-week), in their first-ever home game. Both teams are coming off a 1-score loss on the road. In a 10-game season, it is imperative for both teams to avoid a 0-2 start.**

## **Game Details:**

##### **Date/Location: Friday, April 3 / Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH**

##### **Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM PT**

##### **Channel: FOX**

##### **Theme Night: 614 Kickoff feat. Gavin DeGraw Halftime | T-Shirt Giveaway**

##### **First 5,000 fans receive an Aviators inaugural season t-shirt (citywide “Aviators Blue Out”)**

##### **Odds:**

**Spread: Columbus +2.5 (-110), DC -2.5 (-110)**

**Moneyline: Columbus +114, DC -135**

**Over/Under: 40.5 (Over -105, Under -115)**

**Columbus Aviators (0-1):**

**In their season debut, the Aviators showed flashes of potential but fell 16-23 on the road to Orlando. [Jalan McClendon](https://uflnewshub.com/player/jalan-mcclendon-28932) looked solid in his first start, completing 21 of his 32 passes for 212 yards. Running back [Zaquandre White](https://uflnewshub.com/player/zaquandre-white-29690) had the lone touchdown. Now they come home to Historic Crew Stadium for the franchise’s first-ever home game under head coach Tedd Ginn Jr.**

**DC Defenders (0-1):**

**The defending UFL champions opened with a tough 10-16 road loss to St. Louis. [Jordan Ta’amu](https://uflnewshub.com/player/jordan-taamu-2033) was under heavy pressure all night, and the offense managed just 10 points. Shannon Harris still has the most stable roster in the league and plenty of returning talent on both sides of the ball, so expect the Defenders to come to Columbus hungry to prove they’re still the team to beat.**

## **Aviators Keys to the Game**

### **Faster Start Offensively**

**Week 1 saw the Aviators enter the 4th quarter trailing 6-23 on the scoreboard and 201 to 353 in yards. Columbus will need to get their offense going earlier this week.**

### **Improvement in Pass Protection**

**Last week saw Columbus struggle to slow down Orlando’s edge rushers and this will need to improve moving forward.**

### **Win the Special Teams Battle**

**Columbus started week 1 off with a fumble on the kickoff, putting them on their heels from the start. This week, Columbus should look to win the special teams game.**

### **Get to Ta’amu**

**The DC Defenders struggled to keep Jordan Ta’amu well-protected in week 1’s loss. Columbus will want to prevent them from remedying this in week 2.**

## **Aviators to Watch**

#### **81 WR Tay Martin**

**Martin was the most targeted receiver for Columbus as he caught 7 of his 8 targets for 86 yards.**

#### **4 RB Zaquandre White**

**White is listed as the starter this week after rushing 3 times for 48 yards and a touchdown last week.**

#### **71 C Matt Farniok**

**Farniok did not allow a pressure in pass protection throughout the game, by my tracking.**

#### **11 LB Fred Thompkins**

**Thompkins led the team in tackles last week with 10 and was in on 2 solo run stops and 4 shared run stops. 4 targets came his way in coverage, resulting in 3 completions for 17 yards and a pass breakup.**

#### **9 LB Cam Smith**

**Smith had 9 tackles in week 1 and was in on 3 shared run stops, by my tracking.**

## **Defenders to Watch**

#### **10 QB Jordan Ta’amu**

**Ta’amu completed 9 of his 16 passes for 123 yards last week with 2 interceptions. His completion percentage was hampered by a pair of drops and a throwaway, but he will be looking to improve on the interceptions and lack of passing production last week.**

#### **25 RB Deon Jackson**

**Jackson rushed 17 times last week for 57 yards (3.4 average) and a touchdown.**

#### **19 WR Ty Scott**

**Scott was DC’s most targeted receiver as he caught 2 of his 7 targets for 35 yards. Seth Williams caught 3 of his 4 targets for 51 yards in week 1.**

#### **LB 23 Curtis Jacobs**

**Jacobs had 7 tackles last week, including 2 solo run stops, 3 shared run stops, and a solo stop against a passing play.**

#### **0 CB Gareon Conley**

**Conley had 1 tackle in week 1, which was a solo stop against the pass. 3 targets came his way in coverage (not counting screen plays), resulting in 0 completions with 1 pass breakup.**

## **[Depth Chart](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/columbus-aviators-week-1-preview-orlando-storm-prediction-keys-to-victory-depth-chart-injuries-odds)s, Injuries, Inactives**

## **Score Prediction:**

**I am predicting the Defenders to win 23-16. With Columbus looking like they are still finding themselves last week, I give the edge to the reigning champs.**

From UFL News Hub. Please link to https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/columbus-aviators-week-2-preview-vs-dc-defenders-prediction-keys-to-victory-odds when citing. More at https://uflnewshub.com/llms.txt