Photo credit: TheUFL.com
1. (last week: 1) QB Jack Plummer, Storm
Last Week: 14-24 (58.3%), 152 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Season: 137-211 (64.9%), 1,472 yards, 12 TD, 1 INT; 19 rushes, 104 yards (5.5 avg.)
Orland barely escaped Shell Energy Stadium with a win over the Houston Gamblers. There was another situation where a miscommunication on a snap between Plummer and center Cole Schneider ended in a turnover, but in this case, it didn't seem to be Plummer's fault. Plummer was able to hook up with WR Elijah Badger for two touchdowns en route to Badger being named UFL Offensive Player of the Week. Though Plummer doesn't lead the UFL in any single passing category, he's been the most consistent of the QBs all season - and make no mistake, with few exceptions, the MVP is a quarterback award. Plummer's pristine 12-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio is a big reason Orlando is in a comfortable spot in the standings heading into the final weeks. The Storm don't want to be the team that Dallas turns it around against this weekend in a Friday matchup to be held at Fort Hood, a U.S. Army base.
2. (2) QB Jordan Ta'amu, Defenders
Last Week: 18-33 (54.5%), 353 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 4 rushes, 11 yards (2.8 avg.)
Season: 107-173 (61.9%), 1,453 yards, 13 TD, 7 INT; 44 rushes, 183 yards (4.2 avg.)
Defenders DE Derick Roberson bodied Kings QB Chandler Rogers, then the Kings bodied the Defenders the rest of the way to upset the top team in the UFL, 30-13. D.C. was just out of sorts all game, both offensively and defensively. Ta'amu's 353 yards led to just two scores, indicating D.C. could go up-and-down the field, but couldn't convert those opportunities into points. Ta'amu averaged nearly 20 yards per completion, showing the deep ball was alive and well and is something he could potentially exploit again when the teams square off in a rematch in Week Eight. Though Ta'amu may be FOX analyst Joel Klatt's pick for the MVP, I can't get past the seven interceptions - that's one turnover per game from Ta'amu on INTs alone. That's not a recipe for sustained success. I wrote last week in this space that the Kings "may not be a cakewalk" for Ta'amu. Indeed it wasn't. A veteran team and coaching staff should be able to rebound this week, however.
3. (3) QB Austin Reed, Renegades
Last Week: 25-37 (67.6%), 166 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; 2 carries, 10 yards (5.0 avg.)
Season: 140-239 (58.6%), 1,526 yards, 13 TD, 7 INT; 14 carries, 61 yards (4.4 avg.)
Dallas very nearly broke their three-game losing streak against Birmingham, but failures in overtime pushed Dallas under .500 and out of a playoff spot. Reed averaged a paltry 4.49 yards per attempt, concentrating on the short game against a Birmingham defense whose defensive backs have been exploited in previous games. Reed - and Dallas - showed signs of coming out of their funk, but it wasn't enough to stop the Stallions' momentum behind their new QB, Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Perhaps being booted from the top four in the league will be the wake-up call Dallas needs. Playing on a military installation on Friday night could be a motivating factor to get back in the win column.
4. (NR) WR Jaydon Mickens, Stallions
Last Week: 6 receptions, 82 yards (13.7 avg.), 1 TD
Season: 38 receptions, 486 yards (12.8 avg.), 2 TD
It may be too late for DTR to enter the MVP conversation after sitting behind Jack Plummer for the first half of the season, but it's not too late for the receivers who have been the beneficiary of his spark-plug play. Mickens is among those beneficiaries. He has vaulted to the top of the rankings in catches and receiving yards on the season, recently surpassing Tyler Vaughns in both categories. The former D.C. Defender has stood out amongst other accomplished receivers in Birmingham. The Stallions look to keep their momentum going this weekend - and look to keep their newfound spot in the playoff race secure - in a Sunday afternoon tilt against a desperate Columbus team.
5. (5) DE Cam Gill, Kings
Last Week: 3 tackles (1 solo, 2 assists), 0.5 sacks
Season: 32 tackles (17 solo, 15 assists), 7.0 sacks, 9.0 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
After a loss to St. Louis in Week One in which the offensive line surrendered seven sacks, D.C.'s line had been relatively steady since. Last week, however, Louisville was able to rack up four sacks and give that line troubles like it hadn't seen since that initial game against the Battlehawks. Part of that had to do with the lead the Kings had cultivated late, forcing D.C. into obvious passing situations. They may not have that luxury this week. Gill and company will have to keep the heat on Ta'amu and not let him get comfortable in the pocket - or worse - escape the pocket and throw on the run, where he does a lot of damage.
Dropped out: 5. WR Tyler Vaughns, Renegades