The Power Rankings have drastically changed from how they looked at the end of the season last year, with Birmingham dropping down the rankings after a dysfunctional start to the year. The St. Louis Battlehawks have risen to the top following their 31-6 win on the road to begin their season.
The Crown Holder and the Court Jester
Crown Holder 👑 – The DC Defenders took the Crown from the back-to-back-to-back champs by defeating Birmingham 18-11 at home.
Court Jester 🃏 – The Houston Roughnecks remained the Court Jester as they opened the season with a 6-31 loss at home to the St. Louis Battlehawks, extending their losing streak to 7 games.
If a team defeats the Crown Holder, they steal the Crown and become the new Crown Holder.
If a team loses to the Court Jester, they become the new Court Jester, thus freeing the previous team from being the Court Jester.
1. St. Louis Battlehawks (1-0, 390JP)
Previous rank: #4
- Week 1 Result: Defeated Houston 31-6 on the road
- Week 2 Opponent: vs. San Antonio Brahmas
- Week 1 Synopsis: The Manny Wilkins era of the St. Louis Battlehawks is off to a very strong start as the B-Hawks defeated the Roughnecks on the road to open the season. St. Louis were the favorites to win this game but there were some question marks on how smoothly things would go with A.J. McCarron no longer being on the team. The 31-6 victory was the largest margin of victory of any game in week 1.
- High Point: Jarveon Howard’s 74-yard touchdown run was the pinnacle of the Battlehawks’ explosive ground game, and he had 2 missed tackles forced on the way.
- Low Point: The defense allowed a late meaningless touchdown to Houston, slightly
- marring an otherwise stellar performance. It was a shutout until the final 3 minutes.
- UFL Week 1: UFLNH Team of the Week Honorees:
- 1st Team: WR Jahcour Pearson, C Mike Panasiuk, RG Abdul Beecham, RT Juwann Bushell-Beatty, DE Pita Taumoepenu, S Kameron Kelly (6 players)
- 2nd Team: QB Manny Wilkins, RB Jacob Saylors, S Lukas Dennis (3 players)
- Total Players Named: 9
- Jon Points Heading into Week 1: 340; Week 1 Impact: +50; After Week 1: 390
- Reason: St. Louis crushed Houston with a 273-yard rushing attack, including four touchdowns. Manny Wilkins proved to be a true dual-threat in week 1, putting up 189 passing yards, 43 rushing yards, and 2 TDs. (+25 Jon points earned for the win, +5 stolen from Houston, +20 points for being week 1’s most complete team)
2. Michigan Panthers (1-0, 385JP)
Previous rank: #2
Week 1 Result: Defeated Memphis 26-12 at home
Week 2 Opponent: vs. Birmingham Stallions
Week 1 Synopsis: Michigan opened with a confident 26-12 victory over Memphis, powered by Bryce Perkins’s accurate passing and Kai Nacua’s game-sealing pick-six. The defense stifled Memphis’s run game, holding them to 2.9 yards per rush.
High Point: In the 2nd quarter on 4th and goal at the 2-yard line, Bryce Perkins broke 4 tackles on his way to a rushing touchdown.
Low Point: Pass blocking still needs to be more consistent.
UFL Week 1: UFLNH Team of the Week Honorees:
1st Team: QB Bryce Perkins, WR Marcus Simms, LT Ryan Nelson, DT Garrett Marino, DE Breeland Speaks, LB Frank Ginda, S Kai Nacua (7 players)
2nd Team: WR Samson Nacua, WR Malik Turner, LG Jake Burton, DE Kenny Willekes, DT T.J. Carter, CB Adonis Alexander (6 players)
Total Players Named: 13
Jon Points Heading into Week 1: 350; Week 1 Impact: +35; After Week 1: 385
Reason: Michigan’s balanced attack, featuring Perkins’s near-perfect passing and Nacua’s pick-six. (+25 points earned for the win, +10 stolen from Memphis)
3. Arlington Renegades (1-0, 300JP)
Previous rank: #5
Week 1 Result: Defeated San Antonio 33-9 at home
Week 2 Opponent: vs. Houston Roughnecks
Week 1 Synopsis: Arlington made a statement with a 33-9 rout of San Antonio, showcasing a revamped rushing attack led by Kalen Ballage’s record-setting 77-yard touchdown. This performance hints at a resurgence after last year’s 3-7 record.
High Point: Kalen Ballage’s 77-yard touchdown run set the record for the longest in UFL history with 3 missed tackles forced.
Low Point: Far too many penalties, particularly on offense before the snap.
UFL Week 1: UFLNH Team of the Week Honorees:
1st Team: RB Kalen Ballage, TE Sal Cannella, LG Marcus Minor (3 players)
2nd Team: TE Seth Green, RT Adrian Ealy, LB Donald Payne (3 players)
Total Players Named: 6
Jon Points Heading into Week 1: 235; Week 1 Impact: +65; After Week 1: 300
Reason: Arlington’s 110-yard rushing effort from Ballage and a suffocating defense. (+25 points earned for the win, +40 stolen from San Antonio)
4. DC Defenders (1-0, 290JP) 👑
Previous rank: #6
Week 1 Result: Defeated Birmingham 18-11 at home
Week 2 Opponent: vs Memphis Showboats
Week 1 Synopsis: D.C. stunned the defending champion Stallions 18-11, featuring an 8-sack defensive onslaught. The offense leaned on Matt McCrane’s four field goals with the longest being from 53 yards.
High Point: The defense’s 8 sacks and frequent pressure dismantled Birmingham’s offensive line. Anthony Hines and Derick Roberson both had 2 sacks.
Low Point: The offense managed just 18 points despite the defensive dominance.
UFL Week 1: UFLNH Team of the Week Honorees:
1st Team: DT Joseph Wallace, CB Bryce Thompson, K Matt McCrane (3 players)
2nd Team: WR Ty Scott, RG Lamont Gaillard, DE Derick Roberson (3 players)
Total Players Named: 6
Jon Points Heading into Week 1: 185; Week 1 Impact: +105; After Week 1: 290
Reason: D.C.’s upset of Birmingham, with 8 sacks and a strong defensive stand. (+25 Jon points earned for the win, +60 stolen from Birmingham, +10 for beating the top team, +10 for stealing the Crown)
5. San Antonio Brahmas (0-1, 280JP)
Previous rank: #3
Week 1 Result: Lost to Arlington 33-9 on the road
Week 2 Opponent: at St Louis Battlehawks
Week 1 Synopsis: San Antonio’s opener was a disaster as they fell 33-9 to Arlington in a game that exposed offensive and defensive weaknesses. Last year’s XFL Championship runner-up status feels distant after the disappointing week 1 loss.
High Point: Jashaun Corbin looked like with promise on his 6 rushes for 36 yards, in which he proved to be very difficult to bring down and often fought for extra yards.
Low Point: The passing game lacked productivity for the amount of pass attempts and just felt off in week 1.
UFL Week 1: UFLNH Team of the Week Honorees:
1st Team: P Brad Wing (1 player)
2nd Team: LT Willie Tyler III, LB Jordan Williams (2 players)
Total Players Named: 3
Jon Points Heading into Week 1: 345; Week 1 Impact: -65; After Week 1: 280
Reason: A 33-9 thrashing by Arlington, with some struggles on both sides of the ball. (-25 Jon points for the loss, -40 to Arlington)
6. Birmingham Stallions (0-1, 265JP)
Previous rank: #1
Week 1 Result: Lost to DC 18-11 on the road
Week 2 Opponent: at Michigan Panthers
Week 1 Synopsis: The defending champs stumbled, dropping an 18-11 loss to D.C. in a game that saw them allow 8 sacks. Alex McGough’s 84 rushing yards kept them in it, but their aura took a hit.
High Point: McGough’s 84 yards on 8 carries showed his scrambling prowess.
Low Point: An offensive line collapse, yielding 8 sacks, stalled any comeback hopes. Or perhaps the league’s lowest net yards of offense in week 1 at 138. Both aspects were very surprising.
UFL Week 1: UFLNH Team of the Week Honorees:
1st Team: LB Kyahva Tezino, Returner Deon Cain (2 players)
2nd Team: DT Perrion Winfrey, CB Steven Gilmore, S Tre Norwood (3 players)
Total Players Named: 5
Jon Points Heading into Week 1: 500; Week 1 Impact: -235; After Week 1: 265
Reason: A loss to D.C., compounded by an offensive line meltdown. (-25 Jon points for the loss, -60 to DC, -150 temporary reduction until the pass blocking plays more cohesively)
7. Memphis Showboats (0-1, 25JP)
Previous rank: #7
Week 1 Result: Lost to Michigan 26-12 on the road
Week 2 Opponent: at DC Defenders
Week 1 Synopsis: Memphis fell 26-12 to Michigan, struggling offensively and coughing up an 80-yard pick-six to Kai Nacua. Jonathan Adams Jr.’s touchdown was a rare highlight in a tough outing. Memphis was not expected to win this game but they looked like a team that is fixable if they can improve in some key areas.
High Point: Adams Jr.’s 93-yard, 6-catch day, including a score.
Low Point: Nacua’s 80-yard pick-six sealed their fate.
UFL Week 1: UFLNH Team of the Week Honorees:
1st Team: WR Jonathan Adams Jr. (1 player)
2nd Team: K Matt Coghlin (1 player)
Total Players Named: 2
Jon Points Heading into Week 1: 60; Week 1 Impact: -35; After Week 1: 25
Reason: A 26-12 loss to Michigan, with a weak 2.9 yards per carry and a costly pick-six. (-25 Jon points for the loss, -10 to Michigan)
8. Houston Roughnecks (0-1, 0JP) 🃏
Previous rank: #8
Week 1 Result: Lost to St. Louis 31-6 at home
Week 2 Opponent: at Arlington Renegades
Week 1 Synopsis: Houston’s 2025 debut was a nightmare, as St. Louis steamrolled them 31-6 at home. The defense surrendered 273 rushing yards, and the offense managed only a late consolation score.
High Point: A 4-yard touchdown pass from Nolan Henderson to Justin Hall avoided a shutout.
Low Point: Four rushing touchdowns allowed, including Howard’s 74-yarder.
UFL Week 1: UFLNH Team of the Week Honorees:
1st Team: LB J.T. Tyler (1 player)
2nd Team: C Jack Kramer, LB Marvin Moody (2 players)
Total Players Named: 3
Jon Points Heading into Week 1: 35; Week 1 Impact: -35; After Week 1: 0Reason: A 31-6 home blowout by St. Louis, with a porous run defense and feeble offense.. (-25 Jon points for the loss, -5 to St. Louis, -5 for continuing to hold the Court Jester title)
2 Comments
by Ken Granito
I am sorry. I do not agree that the defenders have the crown because they won 1 game. a game Skip Holtz didn’t even try to win. Please, be better than that.
by Ken Granito
In all serious Jonathan. I stopped reading right there. I am sure you have a lot of good to offer, but like Klatt and Menefee discussing how Curtis Johnson and the Roughnecks should be rushing down 24-0 with 8 minutes left. Curtis Johnson wasn’t rushing because they wanted to walk away with something. He had no illusions of grandeur and a comeback that was just Klatt throwing Johnson even more under the bus, but I like Klattvand Menefee. They should just think…..hmm 1st game of the season no exhibition game maybe the Roughnecks are just trying to get something positive not just running around like a chicken without a head. You did something similar here too. When Holtz call 14 designed runs and 37 designed passes, he is really not trying to win, because he would never agree that is winning formula. In a one score game he would never do that if he was trying to win. As far as the Defenders they played a good game and battled hard. They will need to show me a lot more than 1 game. That stated I expect them to battle all season.