1. (last week: 1) QB Jack Plummer, Storm
Last Week: 24-36 (66.7%), 238 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; 4 rushes, 70 yards (17.5 avg.), 2 TD
Season: 161-247 (65.2%), 1,710 yards, 12 TD, 1 INT; 23 rushes, 174 yards (7.6 avg.), 2 TD
Orlando was able to escape Fort Hood with a victory over Dallas, becoming the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth. They did so thanks in great part to Jack Plummer's legs rather than his arm. His improbable 71-yard TD run, the longest in the UFL this season, was the difference in the game. He scored another TD as well, giving him 14 total touchdowns on the season. Plummer was efficient as a passer, completing two-thirds of his throws. Chris Rowland was his favorite target, and Rowland hauled in all nine passes that came his way, accumulating 91 yards in the process. It will be interesting to see how Plummer matches up with D.C. over the next two weeks, as they've been able to get to the QB at times and create problems for offenses.
2. (2) QB Jordan Ta'amu, Defenders
Last Week: 2-4 (50%), 62 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 2 rushes, 13 yards (6.5 avg.)
Season: 109-177 (61.6%), 1,515 yards, 14 TD, 9 INT; 46 rushes, 196 yards (4.3 avg.)
Ta'amu's season is finished due to a knee injury he suffered against Louisville last weekend. Plummer has already overtaken him in passing yards and there's a high probability he does so in touchdowns as well. Even before the injury, Ta'amu's interception problem crept up again in the second matchup with the Kings - he tossed a total of four interceptions in about five quarters of action against Louisville. With Ta'amu's injury go the chances of D.C. repeating as UFL Champion, unless Spencer Sanders or Jason Bean can find some magic under center. Had Ta'amu stayed healthy, the race between him and Plummer for the MVP would've been very interesting to watch come down to the wire.
3. (3) QB Austin Reed, Renegades
Last Week: 12-23 (52.2%), 134 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 27 yards (4.5 avg.)
Season: 152-262 (58.0%), 1,660 yards, 16 TD, 8 INT; 20 rushes, 88 yards (4.4 avg.)
Keeping Reed afloat in the UFL MVP conversation as his team sinks like a stone is the fact that he's still first in the league in touchdown passes. He padded that stat on Friday night against Orlando with three TDs. It was one of his better performances recently despite completing just over 50% of his throws. He did this without WR Deontay Burnett, a key contributor, who was placed on injured reserve prior to Week Eight. The best Reed may be able to hope for is to leap-frog Ta'amu here; with games left against the ball-hawking Kings and the potent pass-rush of the Battlehawks, Reed and the Renegades may continue to struggle down the stretch.
4. (5) DE Cam Gill, Kings
Last Week: 4 tackles (4 solo), 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss
Season: 36 tackles (21 solo, 15 assists), 8.0 sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
It's very difficult for anyone other than a QB to win the MVP award; it's almost impossible for a defensive player to win. But with so few offensive players having standout seasons, Gill becomes one of the top performers on either side of the ball and has earned his way into this conversation. Against D.C., the Louisville defense took advantage of Ta'amu's injury and compiled four sacks, one of which belonged to Gill. He continues to lead the sacks and has been active in other ways as well, as evidenced by his four total tackles. With Louisville's playoff hopes hanging in the balance the next two weeks, expect Gill's motor to continue to run hot with the Kings pushing his playing time limits.
5. (4) WR Jaydon Mickens, Stallions
Last Week: 2 receptions, 33 yards (16.5 avg.)
Season: 40 receptions, 519 yards (13.0 avg.), 2 TD
Mickens and Birmingham's entire passing game was kept in check against the Aviators on Sunday. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed just 12 passes on the afternoon. Mickens was the team's leading receiver in terms of yardage, stretching his team lead in receiving yards and receptions. He's been the most dangerous Stallion receiver amongst a group that includes spring football powerhouses like Deon Cain and Daewood Davis, as well as newcomers with NFL experience like Justyn Ross. With Birmingham sitting as the current number four seed for the playoffs, it's imperative their offense runs on all cylinders to protect that spot in the final two weeks of the regular season. They'll have to try to figure out the Columbus pass defense during film review this week, as the two teams face each other again in Week Nine.