The Dallas Renegades might be riding a three-game losing streak, but quarterback Austin Reed isn't hitting the panic button. In fact, he's embracing the math that keeps his team's playoff hopes alive.
"We go 4-0 these last 4 games, we're 7-3, we're definitely in the playoff," Reed said Wednesday. "Like, that's the way you got to look at it."
It's that kind of perspective that has Dallas focused on Saturday's crucial matchup against Birmingham rather than dwelling on their recent slide. The Renegades sit in fourth place in the eight-team UFL, holding onto the final playoff spot despite consecutive losses to Louisville, Columbus, and DC.
Fixable Problems, Not Fundamental Issues
Head coach Rick Neuheisel sees the recent struggles as correctable mistakes rather than systemic problems. The Renegades have been digging early holes, falling behind 16-0 to Louisville and 24-0 to DC in their last two games.
"It's not like the entire car is broken down right now. You know, like we just have like a part or two that we have to replace in terms of fixing things," Reed explained. "And I feel like if we just fix those things, like we'll be good to go."
Neuheisel pointed to specific issues that have cost Dallas games. "We've caused 5 fumbles in the last 5 fumbles that we've caused, have all been recovered by the offense. Every one of them," he said. "We've had chances to make plays. We've had chances to make picks. We just gotta relax and make the plays that are available to us."
Birmingham Presents Rejuvenated Challenge
The Stallions enter Saturday's game with momentum after their quarterback change to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Neuheisel, who coached at UCLA where DTR played, knows exactly what his defense faces.
"He's the only quarterback in the UFL that has NFL starts. I think he had 4 while at Cleveland," Neuheisel noted. "We've got our hands full trying to make sure that he doesn't get out of the pocket and make a mess of our defense with his legs."
Reed sees a Birmingham team that's flying around with renewed energy. "They're obviously rejuvenated right now after the quarterback trade and the fact they just beat Orlando and competed against DC," he said. "They're one game away from the playoffs, and so they're going to be looking forward to it that same way."
Fast Starts Essential for Dallas
The key for Dallas will be avoiding another slow start that has plagued them in recent weeks. Linebacker J.T. Tyler emphasized the defense's need to come out with intensity from the opening snap.
"We just have to come out with the intentionality of just stopping everything that they throw at us, focusing on the run, eliminating the run game, and then focusing on the pass game," Tyler said.
Tyler, one of the league's leading tacklers, praised his team's response to adversity. "Instead of going against each other, we've just tried to make each other better at the same time each day with each play," he said.
Playoff Picture Remains in Dallas' Hands
Despite the recent struggles, Reed keeps coming back to one simple fact: Dallas controls its own destiny. A win in Birmingham puts them at 4-3 and right back on track for their playoff goals.
"We go beat Birmingham, we're 4-3, we're exactly where we want to be," Reed said. "Then we go play a team in Orlando who, if we go beat them, we're 5-3. And then we're playing Louisville and St. Louis again."
Saturday's game in Birmingham represents more than just a chance to snap a losing streak—it's an opportunity for Dallas to prove their early-season success wasn't a fluke and that they belong in the playoff conversation when the season winds down.