The Michigan Panthers will host the Birmingham Stallions this Friday night at Ford Field in Detroit, kicking off Week 2 of the UFL season. The Panthers will look to build on their resounding 26-12 victory of Memphis last week as they take on the back to back to back champs. The Stallions, on the other hand, look to rebound from an 11-18 loss to the DC Defenders on the road.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Friday, April 4 / Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Kickoff Time: 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT
Channel: Fox
Odds:
Spread: Michigan +1.5 (-115), Birmingham -1.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Michigan +115, Birmingham -135
Over/Under: 37.5 (Over -115, Under -105)
Michigan Panthers (0-0):
Things are feeling very positive for the Panthers who are coming off a 7-3 season last year and starting this season with a strong victory over Memphis. The Panthers’ offense felt highly efficient, led by quarterback Bryce Perkins, who completed 16 of his 19 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown and added 14 rushing yards, including a 2-yard rushing touchdown in which he had 4 forced missed tackles. Defensively, the Panthers continued to be excellent as they held Memphis to just 2.9 yards per carry on their 24 rushes for 69 yards. The Panthers allowed 1 passing touchdown while also generating a touchdown when safety Kai Nacua had a 4th quarter interception, which he returned 80 yards for the score.
Birmingham Stallions (0-1):
Birmingham probably had their worst game last week since the merger of the UFL, which saw their offense struggle immensely despite the return of the 2023 USFL MVP, quarterback Alex Mcgough. The offensive line was extremely lacking cohesion and was highly susceptible to defensive lineman twisting in their pressures, and blitzing linebackers often were unaccounted for and ultimately allowed 8 sacks over the game. Last season saw the Stallions win in Detroit in eek 2 by a score of 13-20. The Stallions also defeated the Panthers at home in week 10, 20-19, and then again in the playoffs, 31-18.
Panthers Keys to the Game
Contain Alex McGough
While the Stallions did not have an efficient day in the air, they did have a lot of success from Alex McGough’s scrambles, who rushed 8 times for 84 yards. It will be important not let him escape when rushing the passer.
Incorporate Twisting in the Pass Rush
The Stallions’ offensive line was really struggling in picking up pass rushers when there would be any twisting of either the defensive end rushing the inside of the line or interior defensive lineman to the outside. The Stallions will likely be a lot better with their o-line’s cohesion this week after another week together and reviewing the film, but the problems present in week 1 were egregious enough that it may take more than 1 week to correct.
More Big-Time Football From Bryce Perkins
The Panthers are still working on improving their own pass blocking, but the negative impact of struggles in this area was to a large degree minimized by great play from Bryce Perkins. If he can continue to play at the level at which he has played, then the Panthers will remain very dangerous.
More Great Run Defense
It can deflate a team’s offense when their run game is getting frequently stuffed. A great way for any offense to start building its confidence is to get some success in the run game, the Panthers will want to prevent that.
Panthers to Watch
48 DE Kenny Willekes
Willkes had 5 total tackles last week and was in on 2 run stops. He generated pressure on 7 total plays last week and had a sack.
44 DT Garrett Marino
Week 1 saw Marino record 6 total tackles, including a shared sack,k and was in on 4 run stops. He generated pressure on 4 plays last week.
75 LT Ryan Nelson
Nelson had a near-perfect game in pass protection as he only had 1 play by my count in which there was pressure allowed, which came in the 4th quarter.
9 WR Marcus Simms
Simms caught 4 of his 6 targets for 53 yards (31 YAC) and forced 4 missed tackles.
86 WR Samson Nacua
Nacua caught 2 passes for 35 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown with a missed tackle on the way to the endzone.
Stallions to Watch
31 LB Kyahva Tezino
The last time Tezino played in Ford Field, he was in a Steelers uniform playing the Lions in the preseason. He led the Stallions in tackles last season with 70. Last week, he had 5 tackles, including 4 shared run stops.
98 DT Perrion Winfrey
Last week, Winfrey had 5 total tackles and was in on 5 run stops.
22 CB Steven Gilmore
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.
21 S Tre Norwood
Last week, Norwood had 6 total tackles and was involved in 5 run stops.
23 RB Ricky Person Jr.
Last week, Ricky Person rushed 6 times for 29 yards, or 4.8 yards per carry.
Depth Charts, Injuries, Inactives
Score Prediction:
Since the revival of the USFL in 2022, the Michigan Panthers and Birmingham Stallions have met 5 times, with Birmingham emerging victorious in every meeting. The Stallions almost never lose twice in a row, however, I predict Michigan to break this pattern Friday with a thrilling victory. Michigan 20, Birmingham 19.
