The Michigan Panthers will host the San Antonio Brahmas this Sunday at Ford Field. The Panthers look to rebound from a 12-21 loss to Birmingham last week, while the Brahmas are still looking for their first win since the XFL Conference Final last season.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Sunday, April 13 / Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Kickoff Time: 12 PM ET, 9 AM PT
Channel: Fox
Odds:
Spread: Michigan -6.5 (-110), San Antonio +6.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Michigan +115, San Antonio -135
Over/Under: 35.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Michigan Panthers (1-1):
The Michigan Panthers will look a little different this week with DE Breeland Speaks and RB Matthew Colburn sustaining injuries last week. The Panthers also turned heads this past week with a blockbuster trade with the Houston Roughnecks to send them WR Marcus Simms in exchange for OT Cam Carter, who is inactive for this week as he integrates into the Panthers roster.
Last week saw the offense for the Panthers struggle as they were kept scoreless through the first 3 quarters. Quarterback Bryce Perkins played very well in week 1 but was held to just 132 passing yards last week with 1 interception.
San Antonio Brahmas (0-2):
The Brahmas have had a tough start to the 2025 campaign, dropping their opener 9-33 to Arlington before losing to St Louis 9-26 in week 2. The Brahmas have the worst point differential after 2 weeks despite making the UFL Championship last year. After 2 weeks, Kellen Mond has completed 51.7% of his passes for 288 yards with 1 interception. Earlier this week, the Brahmas saw their offensive coordinator, A.J. Smith, step down from his position with the team, and now Payton Pardee will take over the position. Pardee was previously the team’s wide receivers and special teams coach.
Panthers Keys to the Game
Disrupt Kellen Mond’s Rhythm
Michigan’s defensive front will face an offense this week that has struggled to get going and will want to keep things uncomfortable to ensure the Brahmas do not find their rhythm against them. Michigan has had good play from their pass rushers and will need this to continue in spite of the absence of Breeland Speaks.
Neutralize the Run Game
The Brahmas have a talented group of running backs they are bringing to challenge Michigan’s good run stoppers. Michigan will want to stuff the run game early to keep that dimension of San Antonio’s offense in check.
Quicker Start on Offense
The Panthers cannot have a repeat of last week’s slow start on offense. I would like to see them take a couple of deep shots early in the game to try and jump-start things.
More Consistent Pass Protection
Michigan will need better pass protection than what they saw in week 2, with frequent pressure stifling the passing game against Birmingham. I can’t help but think that different uses of the splitback formation could possibly be a solution to this.
Panthers to Watch
20 RB Jaden Shirden
Jaden Shirden will make his UFL debut on Sunday. Shirden signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2024 after rushing for 3,697 yards and 26 touchdowns, with Monmouth finishing 3rd in the program’s history in rushing yards.
4 WR Siaosi Mariner
Mariner had the 2nd most receiving yards for Michigan last year as he caught 27 passes for 346 yards and 2 touchdowns. He currently leads the team with 6 receptions for 79 yards and is due for a big game.
7 WR Jaylon Moore
Wide receiver Jaylon Moore will get his first UFL start with the Panthers this week. He was a second-string receiver last week after being inactive in week 1. Moore played his college ball for Tennessee-Martin, where he compiled 92 receptions for 1,492 yards and 18 touchdowns and has since spent time with the Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, and Jacksonville Jaguars after going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft.
42 DE Mika Tafua
Tafua had 2 tackles last week, including a solo run stop, and generated 5 pressures in the pass rush.
14 CB D.J. Miller Jr.
Miller became the first player to record 2 interceptions in a UFL game last week against Birmingham. 6 targets came his way, and only 1 resulted in a reception (for 9 yards), and he also had a pass breakup.
97 DE Ron’Dell Carter
Last week, Carter had 2 tackles, which were both solo run stops. With Breeland Speak on IR, they will need more from other pass rushers.
Brahmas to Watch
13 WR Jontre Kirklin
Kirklin caught 4 passes for 43 yards last week and had 3 missed tackles forced.
16 WR Jacob Harris
Last week saw Harris catch 3 passes for 69 yards and have 2 missed tackles forced.
7 RB John Lovett
Lovett returns to the lineup after missing week 2. He led the team in rushing last year when after rushing 103 times for 421 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and 5 touchdowns over 8 games.
LB Tavante Becket
Gilmore was working overtime last week as he saw by far the most targets come his way across the league downfield at 11, which resulted in 5 completions for 47 yards. He had 7 total tackles and 3 passes defended.
23 S Jordan Mosley
Mosley had 6 tackles last week and had 1 target come his way, which resulted in a completion for 5 yards.
Depth Charts, Injuries, Inactives
Score Prediction:
I predict the Michigan Panthers to win 22-15.
