Michigan rose to the top spot in the power rankings after a decisive win on the road over the Houston Roughnecks, led by Danny Etling in the absence of star quarterback Bryce Perkins, who was sidelined by injury. It remains tight at the top with St. Louis in the 2nd spot, riding a 4-game winning streak, but having some concerns in their passing game.
The Crown Holder and the Court Jester
- Crown Holder 👑: St. Louis Battlehawks
The St. Louis Battlehawks took the crown from the Birmingham Stallions by defeating them 29-28 at home. - Court Jester 🃏: San Antonio Brahmas
The Brahmas were again unable to shake the jester title as they lost in week 8 at home, 22-24 to the Memphis Showboats.
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. Michigan Panthers (6-2)
- Previous Rank: #2
- Week 8 Result: Defeated Houston Roughnecks 30-18 on the road
- Week 9 Opponent: at Birmingham Stallions
- Week 8 Synopsis: Michigan secured a convincing 30-18 victory over Houston away from home without quarterback Bryce Perkins, who was sidelined due to a lingering ankle injury. Quarterback Danny Etling threw for 167 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Malik Turner, Siaosi Nacua, and Devin Ross. The rushing attack added 95 yards, led by Toa Taua’s 46 yards. The defense forced two turnovers, including a pick-six by Keni-H Lovely. Michigan went 2 for 2 in the red zone, allowed 0 sacks, and committed zero turnovers.
- High Point: A 35-yard touchdown pass to Devin Ross in the third quarter extended their lead to 21-12, highlighting their ability to make big plays.
- Low Point: Allowing 441 total yards to Houston, including 316 passing yards, was much higher than expected.
- Reason for Rank: Michigan rose 1 spot after a commanding victory on the road without their starting quarterback. They have simply been the most complete team.
2. St. Louis Battlehawks (6-2)👑
- Previous Rank: #1
- Week 8 Result: Defeated Birmingham Stallions 29-28 at home
- Week 9 Opponent: at San Antonio Brahmas
- Week 8 Synopsis: St. Louis narrowly defeated Birmingham 29-28 in a thrilling home game. The offense totaled 275 yards, with 110 passing from Max Duggan and a robust 173 rushing yards. Jacob Saylors led the ground game with 118 yards and a touchdown, while Duggan added two rushing scores. The defense forced three turnovers, including a pick-six by Callahan O’Reilly, despite committing three turnovers themselves. Going 3 for 3 in the red zone and a late touchdown by Saylors sealed the win.
- High Point: Jacob Saylors rushing for 118 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries (7.4 yards per carry).
- Low Point: The passing game continues to be an apparent area of weakness after Duggan completed 12 of his 21 passes for 110 yards with 1 interception.
- Reason for Rank: St. Louis is on a 4-game win streak, but went down 1 spot due to Michigan looking like the more complete team as of late.
3. DC Defenders (6-2)
- Previous Rank: #4
- Week 8 Result: Defeated Arlington Renegades 33-30 at home
- Week 9 Opponent: at Houston Roughnecks
- Week 8 Synopsis: DC held off Arlington 33-30 in a high-scoring home victory. Jordan Ta’amu threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns, both to Cornell Powell, while Deon Jackson rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown. The offense went 4 for 4 in the red zone and committed just one turnover. The defense allowed 429 yards but forced two turnovers..
- High Point: Jackson’s 57-yard touchdown run in the first quarter put the pressure on the visitors early.
- Low Point: Allowing 350 passing yards to Luis Perez.
- Reason for Rank: DC passed Birmingham in the standings as the Stallions lost to St. Louis.
4. Birmingham Stallions (5-3)
- Previous Rank: #3
- Week 8 Result: Lost to St. Louis Battlehawks 29-28 on the road
- Week 9 Opponent: vs. Michigan Panthers
- Week 8 Synopsis: Birmingham fell 29-28 to St. Louis in a close road loss. J’Mar Smith threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns, two to Deon Cain (115 yards), and the offense totaled 369 yards to Stl Louis’ 275. However, three turnovers, including an interception returned for a touchdown, proved costly. The defense struggled to slow down the Battlehawks’ ground attackallowing 173 rushing yards.
- High Point: A 65-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain early in the first quarter was a fantastic way to open the game in hostile territory.
- Low Point: Three turnovers, including two lost fumbles, undermined their strong offensive performance.
- Reason for Rank: Birmingham drops to fourth after a tight loss to St. Louis.
5. Arlington Renegades (3-5)
- Previous Rank: #5
- Week 8 Result: Lost to DC Defenders 33-30 on the road
- Week 9 Opponent: at Memphis Showboats
- Week 8 Synopsis: Arlington fought hard but lost 33-30 to DC on the road. It was their second close loss of the season to the Defenders, having lost 33-37 in week 5. Luis Perez threw for 350 yards and two touchdowns, both to Tyler Vaughns, though the rushing game managed 86 yards. Three field goals by Luis Havrisik kept them in contention, but they couldn’t close the gap.
- High Point: A 23-yard touchdown pass to Vaughns in the second quarter highlighted their effective passing game.
- Low Point: Allowing a 57-yard touchdown run in the first quarter put them on their heels. Arlington attempted 46 passes with only 19 rushes as they chased the game.
6. Houston Roughnecks (3-5)
- Previous Rank: #6
- Week 8 Result: Lost to Michigan Panthers 30-18 at home
- Week 9 Opponent: vs. DC Defenders
- Week 8 Synopsis: Houston fell 30-18 to Michigan at home despite outgaining them 441 to 254 yards. Jalan McClendon threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns but had one interception and a lost fumble. Zaquandre White led the way on the ground, rushing 8 times for 59 yards. The defense held Michigan to 254 yards, and Houston had nearly 10 minutes more time of possession but found themselves finishing the game trailing by 12 points.
- High Point: A 33-yard touchdown pass to Keke Chism in the second quarter showed offensive promise as McClendon took a hit before Chism laid out for the catch in the end zone..
- Low Point: A third-quarter pick-six by Keni-H Lovely swung put too much distance on the scoreboard.
7. Memphis Showboats (2-6)
- Previous Rank: #7
- Week 8 Result: Defeated San Antonio Brahmas 24-22 on the road
- Week 9 Opponent: vs. Arlington Renegades
- Week 8 Synopsis: Memphis earned a 24-22 overtime road win over San Antonio. The offense produced just 166 yards, with a meager 36 passing yards from Troy Williams and 152 rushing yards, led by Jalen Jackson’s 76 yards and a touchdown. The defense forced three turnovers, including a pick-six by Cameron Dantzler. Their low passing output was offset by a strong run game, and their defense frequently stalling San Antonio.
- High Point: Dantzler’s interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter provided an early spark.
- Low Point: Only 36 passing yards reveal a one-dimensional offense.
8. San Antonio Brahmas (1-7)🃏
- Previous Rank: #9
- Week 8 Result: Lost to Memphis Showboats 24-22 at home
- Week 9 Opponent: vs St. Louis Battlehawks
- Week 8 Synopsis: San Antonio lost 24-22 to Memphis in overtime at home, despite outgaining them 286 to 166 yards. Jashaun Corbin rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown, but Kevin Hogan’s three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, were too costly. It should be noted that 2 of those interceptions occurred after a pass was batted on the line, so it is unfair to fully blame them on him. The defense forced two turnovers but couldn’t get the win in overtime.
- High Point: A 38-yard touchdown pass to Dee Anderson in the second quarter.
- Low Point: Three interceptions from Hogan, including a pick-six, was too detrimental to the Brahmas in week 8.
