The Rodeo Begins: Brahmas Open 2025 UFL in Arlington
San Antonio Brahmas Game 1
Location: Choctaw Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Visiting Team: San Antonio Brahmas (0-0)
Home Team: Arlington Renegades (0-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, March 29th, 2025 at 4 pm EST
Channel: FOX
DraftKings Odds: San Antonio Brahmas (-3), Arlington Renegades (+3), O/U 37 pts.
After a long off-season and a pre-season full of news involving a UFL players strike, rather than improving the UFL brand with a high-quality product on the field, it is finally time for the San Antonio Brahmas to start their march to another XFL Conference championship. Before the 2024 UFL season, nearly everyone picked the Brahmas to finish at the bottom of the XFL Conference. The Brahmas proved everyone wrong with an impressive 7-3 record, and they upset the Saint Louis Battlehawks in their first playoff game to move on to the UFL championship game. This year, the Brahmas return, focusing on running it back into the XFL Conference and finishing the season with their first UFL championship.
The Arlington Renegades start this season with a mission to show that they are a team capable of performing at a consistently high level and returning to competing for championships. During the Renegades 2023 XFL season, Arlington struggled to find consistency but slipped into the XFL playoffs. Behind a decisive running game and an opportunistic defense, the Renegades won the 2023 XFL championship. Hopes were high for the Renegades coming into the 2024 season, but they started the season with a loss to the Birmingham Stallions. The Renegades were unable to get themselves back on the right track.
For both the Brahmas and the Renegades, it is critical to get off to a successful start to the 2025 UFL season and build early momentum. When you look at the rosters for the Brahmas and Renegades, there are more similarities and differences between potential dynamic playmakers on offense and defense. The most significant difference between the teams is that the Renegades are a team of returning veterans that should have chemistry but are low on potential compared to a Brahmas team that has gotten younger and has an abundance of NFL-caliber players on offense and defense.
Depth Charts and Rosters
Let’s take a look at three key matchups between the Brahmas and the Renegades.
Key Matchup #1: The Brahmas Defensive Front Seven vs. The Renegades Offensive Run Game
The Brahmas and the Renegades come into this game with an established culture and identity. A strong defense is the foundation for San Antonio’s team culture, and it is behind the leadership of head coach Wade Phillips. Arlington boasts an offense that depends on establishing an effective running game and using RPOs and play-action plays to produce explosive plays. Linebackers Tavante Beckett and Jordan Williams must come ready to lead by example and help shut down the Renegades running backs.
If the Brahmas defense are able to shut down the Renegades running game long enough for the Brahmas to get a significant lead then the Renegades will feel pressure to abandon their game play and rely on drop back passing. Renegades quarterback Luis Perez plays his best football when he plays off the success of the Renegades running game. If the Brahmas can shutdown Renegades running backs Kalen Ballage and De’Veon Smith then they will be in a great position to allow crippling pressure on Perez.
Key Matchup #2: Brahmas QB Kellen Mond vs. Renegades QB Luis Perez
The limiting factor for the Brahmas offense during the 2024 UFL was directly related to a lack of consistency at the quarterback position. This off-season, the Brahmas and offensive coordinator AJ Smith completely shook up the quarterback room to reach higher efficiency. Kellen Mond comes into the season as the new starting quarterback for the Brahmas. How quickly Mond can show mastery over Smith’s offense will determine how high and fast this Brahmas team can climb in 2025.
Renegades quarterback Luis Perez was a bright spot for a struggling 2024 Renegades team. When Arlington establishes their running game, Perez can throw the ball well in RPO and play-action situations. If the running game is not functional, Perez struggles to make plays from the pocket and tends to make more mistakes than being on the move. For the Renegades to get a win against the Brahmas, they will need to lean on their running game and their defense while allowing Luis Perez to manage the game from behind center.
Key Matchup #3: Brahma’s Passing Game vs. Arlington’s Defensive Secondary
In this game, the Brahmas should have high expectations for their offensive passing game. Kellen Mond added to the Brahmas offense to lead this team, and Mond will need to deliver this season. For Mond, if he can manage the game with the passing game and use his legs to pick up key first downs, the Brahmas should have a great chance to win their first game of the season two years in a row.
The Arlington Renegades have a defensive secondary full of spring football veterans. Unfortunately, Arlington’s secondary struggled to contain their opponent’s passing offense during the 2024 season. In 2025, the Renegades will either need to step it up in the defensive backfield or get a better pass rush from their defensive line.
Prediction:
San Antonio Brahmas 19, Arlington Renegades 10
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