Week 7 saw the playoff race settle into 2 main groups as St. Louis, DC, and Orlando are all tied for first with 5-2 records, while the rest of the teams are 2-3 games behind them in a 5-team race for 4th place. The DC Defenders absorbed a touch loss at home to Louisville, ending their 5-game win streak. Meanwhile, Dallas lost an overtime thriller to Birmingham to see the Renegades' losing streak extend to 4. It’s shaping up to be a good playoff race this season.
Crown Holder 👑: St. Louis Battlehawks
The St. Louis Battlehawks stole the Crown with a 31-20 home win over Columbus. They will host Houston in Week 8.Court Jester 🃏: Dallas Renegades
The Dallas Renegades remain the Court Jester after another tough road loss. They will host Orlando in Week 8.
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 (5-3)👑
Previous Rank: #2
Week 7 Result: 31-20 win vs Columbus
Week 8 Opponent: vs Houston Gamblers Saturday 3 ET
The Battlehawks added another to the win column in what was QB Luis Perez’s first start of the season. Perez looked to be shaking off some rust after being a QB2 for the first 6 weeks of the season but did enough as he completed 16 of his 30 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. The defense held Columbus to 257 yards of total offense while generating 3 sacks and 7 tackles for a loss. It was another strong game from St. Louis’ impressive duo at defensive end as Travis Feeney was recorded 4 tackles, including a sack, and was in on 2 run stops, while DE Pita Taumoepenu also had 4 tackles, including 3 run stops.
2. DC Defenders (5-2)
Previous Rank: #1
Week 7 Result: 13-30 loss vs Louisville
Week 8 Opponent: at Louisville Kings Saturday 12 ET
The defending champs suffered their first home loss, 13-30, to Louisville. Jordan Ta’amu and the offense generated 414 yards of offense, but were largely held in check on the scoreboard. Jordan Ta’amu threw for 353 yards and 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. Receivers Cornell Powell, Javon Antonio, and Ty Scott all had over 80 yards receiving. The defense had a slower than normal day in the pass rush, which was surprising given Louisville’s pass protection at times this season.
DC is now tied with St. Louis and Orlando in first place, but will need to bounce back quickly on the road against the same opponent next week.
3. Louisville Kings (3-4)
Previous Rank: #5
Week 7 Result: 30-13 win at DC
Week 8 Opponent: vs DC Defenders Saturday 12 ET
Louisville delivered an upset victory on the road against the #1 team in week 7. Chandler Rogers helped lead the Kings to what felt like their best offensive game yet. The Kings were desperately needing to start winning to keep their chances of making the playoffs realistic, and delivered in a big way. Chandler Rogers completed 17 of his 26 passes for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler was busy as he faced 7 targets, resulting in 4 completions for 45 yards while generating a breakup and an interception. The Kings remain in the playoff race and picked up a lot of momentum. They will face the reigning champs this weekend once again, this time at home.
4. Columbus Aviators (2-5)
Previous Rank: #4
Week 7 Result: 20-31 loss at St. Louis
Week 8 Opponent: at Birmingham Stallions Sunday 1 ET
The Aviators lost against a strong team on the road, 31-20 in St. Louis. It was a relatively close game from a total yards perspective, time of possession, and even in the turnover battle. Jalan McClendon completed 20 of his 28 passes for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception. The offense has not been bad, but it just hasn’t seemed to have that next gear needed to be frightening. For Columbus to realistically make the playoffs they will likely need to win their final 3 gams with how tight the playoff race is for the 4th place spot.
6. Orlando Storm (5-2)
Previous Rank: #7
Week 7 Result: 24-23 win at Houston
Week 8 Opponent: at Dallas Renegades Friday 8 ET
Orlando put an end to a 2-game losing streak with a close 24-23 win over Houston. Orlando picked up yet another win and are tied for first place in the league, but still has a lot of room for improvement on offense. Orlando had only 185 yards of total offense to Houston’s 415, had 11 first downs to Houston’s 22, went 2/10 on 3rd down conversions, and gave up 3 sacks. Jack Plummer completed 14 of his 24 passes for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Jashaun Corbin rushed 7 times for 25 yards. WR Elijah Badger had 4 catches for 75 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Linebacker Tavante Beckett was impressive as he had 5 tackles, all of which were run stops, and had 6 targets come his way in coverage, allowing 2 receptions for 23 yards while generating 3 breakups. However, Orlando will have to make do without him as he was just placed on injured reserve this week. Orlando will face Dallas next week before a good playoff preparation test, facing DC back to back in weeks 9 and 10.
5. Birmingham Stallions (3-4)
Previous Rank: #6
Week 7 Result: 21-17 win vs Dallas
Week 8 Opponent: vs Columbus Aviators Sunday 1 ET
Birmingham picked up a much needed win over the spiralling Renegades in overtime at home. Dorian Thompson Robinson completed 12 of his 26 passes for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns, with WR Jaydon Mickens catching 6 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Linebacker Tae Crowder was busy as he led the team in tackles with 11, including being in on 2 run stops and having stops against the pass. Birmingham is tied with Louisville and Dallas for 4th currently, and control their own destiny as they hold the tiebreakers against both Louisville and Dallas due to victories over them. They will play Columbus twice before facing Houston in week 10.
7. Houston Gamblers (2-5)
Previous Rank: #4
Week 7 Result: 23-24 loss vs Orlando
Week 8 Opponent: at St. Louis Battlehawks Saturday 3 ET
It’s shaping up to be another tough season for Houston fans. We saw a lot of promise in their play as QB Nolan Henderson led the team to a nice looking victory in week 5, but they now find themselves on another 2-game losing streak. Hunter Dekkers made some nice plays as he completed 24 of his 41 passes for 268 yards with 1 interception in his first appearance since injuries held him out after week 2, but there needed to be a bit more consistency. A lack of consistency sums up Houston’s season offensively in one that has been derailed by multiple QB injuries. Linebacker Anthony Hines III led the team in tackles with 11, including 4 solo run stops, while LB Eugene Asante had 10 tackles, including 3 solo run stops and 3 shared run stops. Houston has a tough hurdle ahead in their playoff quest as they will play St. Louis in their next 2 games.
8. Dallas Renegades (3-4) 🃏
Previous Rank: #8
Week 7 Result: 17-21 loss at Birmingham
Week 8 Opponent: vs Orlando Storm Friday 8 ET
Dallas played a good football game, but did not leave with the needed result. After starting 3-0, the Renegades now find themselves on the outside looking in with a 3-4 record. Austin Reed completed 25 of his 37 passes for 166 yards while Dae Dae Hunter led the way on the ground with 11 rushes for 43 yards. Darius Moragne had an effective day with 3 tackles, including a sack and 2 run stops, while adding 5 additional pressures. Defensive tackle Siaki Ika had 6 tackles and was in on 4 run stops. Shaun Wade and Steven Jones Jr. both had multiple targets come their way in coverage without allowing a completion, Jones Jr. had an interception. Lots of positive last week, but Dallas needs to start eating up some Ws again.