The St Louis Battlehawks continue to hold the top spot of the power rankings, but it remains very congested at the top with there being 4 teams holding a 5-2 record. Week 7 of the UFL saw every game won by the team ranked higher in the power rankings.
The Crown Holder and the Court Jester
- Crown Holder 👑: Birmingham Stallions
The Birmingham Stallions took the crown from the Houston Roughnecks by defeating them 33-25 at home in week 7.. - Court Jester 🃏: San Antonio Brahmas
The Brahmas were unable to shake the jester title as they lost in week 7 at home, 24-32 to the DC Defenders.
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, freeing the previous holder.
1. St. Louis Battlehawks (5-2)
- Previous Rank: #1
- Week 7 Result: Defeated Memphis Showboats 19-9 on the road
- Week 8 Opponent: vs. Birmingham Stallions
- Week 7 Synopsis: The Battlehawks earned a 19-9 road win over the Memphis Showboats in what was another strong defensive performance. Max Duggan completed 15 of his 23 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception and rushed 10 times for 57 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Jacob Saylors rushed 11 times for 36 yards, and Jarveon Howard rushed 4 times for 20 yards.
- High Point: Another strong game from the defense, limiting Memphis to 273 yards and just 9 points.
- Low Point: Converting just 2 of 10 third downs limited their offensive rhythm; additionally, being limited to 257 yards of offense against the lowest-ranked team is not very assuring for the Battlehawks’ championship ambitions.
2. Michigan Panthers (5-2)
- Previous Rank: #2
- Week 7 Result: Defeated Arlington Renegades 25-24 on the road
- Week 8 Opponent: at Houston Roughnecks
- Week 7 Synopsis: The Panthers narrowly defeated the Arlington Renegades 25-24 on the road in a thrilling finish, thanks to a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Toa Taua with 1 second left and then a successful 1-point conversion from him on the following play to win the game. Bryce Perkins led their offense to 331 total yards, including 231 passing yards and 104 rushing yards, while Arlington had 336 total yards. Michigan holding Arlington to just 32 rushing yards was a defensive bright spot of the game.
- High Point: A 71-yard drive in the last 2 minutes capped off with a dramatic game-winning touchdown in the dying seconds.
- Low Point: Allowing 314 passing yards with Luis Perez completing 73.5% of his passes nearly was enough to cost the game. Additionally, nine penalties were simply too many, 4 of which came from defenders in pass coverage.
3. Birmingham Stallions (5-2)👑
- Previous Rank: #3
- Week 7 Result: Defeated Houston Roughnecks 33-25 at home
- Week 8 Opponent: at St. Louis Battlehawks
- Week 7 Synopsis: The Stallions were trailing 12-25 at the half but did not allow a point in the second half on their way to a 33-25 victory. Case Cookus completed 17 of his 34 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. On the ground, Ricky Person Jr. rushed 13 times for 61 yards and a touchdown, and C.J. Marable rushed 10 times for 43 yards and a touchdown. The Stallions’ defense held Houston to a total of 229 yards.
- High Point: Scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter with 2 touchdowns coming in the final 2 minutes, thanks to a fumble on a kickoff getting the ball right back to Birmingham.
- Low Point: Allowing 18 points in the first quarter was scoring less than that on average per game up to that point was not a good way to start the ball game.
4. DC Defenders (5-2)
- Previous Rank: #4
- Week 7 Result: Defeated San Antonio Brahmas 32-24 on the road
- Week 8 Opponent: vs. Arlington Renegades
- Week 7 Synopsis: The Defenders rebounded from a tough road loss in week 6 with a victory on the road, 32-24 over the San Antonio Brahmas. Jordan Ta’amu completed 19 of his 24 passes for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win.
- High Point: A 76-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Ta’amu to Braylon Sanders early in the fourth quarter.
- Low Point: Converting only 1 of 7 third downs.
5. Arlington Renegades (3-4)
- Previous Rank: #5
- Week 7 Result: Lost to Michigan Panthers 25-24 at home
- Week 8 Opponent: at DC Defenders
- Week 7 Synopsis: The Renegades fell 25-24 to the Michigan Panthers at home, losing in the dying seconds in a heartbreaking fashion. Luis Perez was again efficient, completing 25 of his 34 passes for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- High Point: A 10-yard touchdown pass to Sal Cannella with just over 2 minutes left gave Arlington a 6-point lead with very little time left.
- Low Point: A feeble 32-yard rushing effort limited their offensive balance.
6. Houston Roughnecks (3-4)
- Previous Rank: #6
- Week 7 Result: Lost to Birmingham Stallions 33-25 on the road
- Week 8 Opponent: vs. Michigan Panthers
- Week 7 Synopsis: The Roughnecks lost a 33-25 decision to the Birmingham Stallions on the road, managing only 229 total yards. They went 3 for 9 on third downs and lost the time-of-possession battle by nearly 14 minutes. Jalan McClendon completed 15 of his 23 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown. Zaquandre White led the way on the ground with 9 rushes for 69 yards and 2 touchdowns, the longest being for 52 yards.
- High Point: ZaQuandre White scoring his 2nd touchdown in the first quarter on a 52-yard touchdown run was a very exciting way for Houston to start the game on the road against the back to back to back champs.
- Low Point: Being outgained by 168 yards underscored their inability to match Birmingham’s firepower.
7. Memphis Showboats (1-6)
- Previous Rank: #7
- Week 7 Result: Lost to St. Louis Battlehawks 19-9 at home
- Week 8 Opponent: at San Antonio Brahmas
- Week 7 Synopsis: The Showboats fell 19-9 to the St. Louis Battlehawks at home, totaling 273 yards. Dresser Winn completed 21 of his 34 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown. The Showboats finished the game with more yards than St Louis’ 257, but were only able to score 9 points in week 7.
- High Point: Holding one of the top teams to 257 yards of offense and 19 points was a positive on the defensive front.
- Low Point: Failing to pick up a first down on all 3 fourth-down conversion attempts.
8. San Antonio Brahmas (1-6)🃏
- Previous Rank: #8
- Week 7 Result: Lost to DC Defenders 32-24 at home
- Week 8 Opponent: vs. Memphis Showboats
- Week 7 Synopsis: The Brahmas lost 32-24 to the DC Defenders at home, putting them now on a 3-game losing streak for the 2nd time this season. Kevin Hogan completed 20 of his 31 passes for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Brahmas were able to accumulate 356 yards of total offense to DC’s 352, but were not able to win the battle on the scoreboard.
- High Point: Jashaun Corbin’s 57-yard 4th quarter rushing touchdown put the Brahmas in position to take the lead, although they were unsuccessful in their 2-point conversion attempt, and thus remained trailing by 1 point.
- Low Point: Allowing a 76-yard passing touchdown from DC in the 4th quarter was the first nail in the coffin for San Antonio in week 7.
