Quick Hit:
Event: UFL regular-season game
Teams: Arlington Renegades vs. Houston Roughnecks
Location: Rice Stadium in Houston, TX
Date & Time: Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 PM ET
Broadcast: FS1
Why It Matters:
Both the 0-3 Renegades and 0-3 Roughnecks are looking to save their seasons and get back in the playoff hunt with a much-needed win in this matchup of UFL cellar-dwellers.
Season Snapshot:
Renegades Record: 0-3, Last place in UFL XFL Division
Roughnecks Record: 0-3, Last place in UFL USFL Division
Both teams have lost 3 straight
Players to Watch:
Renegades QB Luis Perez: Leads the UFL in passing yards (737) and is the key to the Renegades’ offensive attack. Poised for another big day against a struggling Houston secondary.
Roughnecks RB Mark Thompson: The reigning USFL Offensive Player of the Year is set to make his UFL debut after returning from a knee injury. His return could provide a huge boost to the Roughnecks offense.
Strategic Playbook:
Renegades’ Strategy: Attack the Roughnecks through the air with Perez spreading the ball around to his bevy of receiving weapons in Vaughns, Cannella and others. Look to exploit a weak Houston secondary.
Roughnecks’ Strategy: Establish the run game with the return of Thompson to open up play action and high percentage throws for QB Reid Sinnett. Houston’s best chance is to slow the game down and keep Perez off the field.
Venue Vibes:
Rice Stadium provides a solid home-field edge for the Roughnecks. Conditions are expected to be warm and sunny which could lead to an offensive shootout.
Health & Roster Updates:
Roughnecks will be without DTs Olive Sagapolu (out for year) and Toby Johnson (knee). CB Kiondre Thomas returns from suspension. Renegades are relatively healthy on both sides of the ball.
Looking Back:
The Renegades beat the Roughnecks 26-11 in the 2023 XFL South Division Championship game in their most recent meeting.
Expert’s Corner:
Most analysts are picking the Renegades to get their first win based on Perez’s hot hand and the Roughnecks’ defensive woes. The Renegades are 2.5 point road favorites.
What to Watch:
Can Houston’s secondary slow down Perez and the Renegades passing attack? Will the return of Mark Thompson revitalize the Roughnecks offense? Two desperate teams should make for an exciting battle.
Wrap Up:
While it features two winless teams, this shapes up as an intriguing strength vs weakness matchup between the Renegades’ potent offense and the Roughnecks’ porous D. Luis Perez and crew look to keep lighting up the scoreboard, while Houston hopes the return of Mark Thompson can power them to that elusive first victory.
Get your popcorn ready and tune in to FS1 Sunday afternoon for this UFL Texas throwdown!
