Week 9 created some separation in the standings as we now have 3 teams eliminated from playoff contention, including Dallas, Columbus, and Houston. With only one week left in the regular season, the playoff race is nearly complete.
Crown Holder š: St. Louis Battlehawks
The Houston Gamblers stole the Crown with a 23-16 road win over St. Louis. They will host the Battlehawks in Week 9.Court Jester š: Dallas Renegades
The Dallas Renegades remain the Court Jester after another loss. They will travel to St. Louis in Week 10.
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. Louisville Kings (5-4)
Previous Rank: #1
Week 9 Result: 37-23 win vs Dallas
Week 10 Opponent: vs Columbus Aviators Sunday 6 ET
Louisville dominated Dallas 37-23 at home to improve to 5-4. The offense was efficient, and the defense forced key stops throughout the game. The Kings remain in a strong position heading into the final week. Chandler Rogers was highly efficient, completing 16 of his 21 passes for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns. The run game once again looked strong for Louisville, which was an area of concern early in the season.
2. St. Louis Battlehawks (6-3)š
Previous Rank: #2
Week 9 Result: 21-15 win at Houston
Week 10 Opponent: vs Dallas Renegades Friday 8 ET
St. Louis took the Crown with a gritty 21-15 road win over Houston. Luis Perez threw for 232 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. The Battlehawks pass rush continues to be effective as the team collected 4 sacks. St. Louis can clinch home-field advantage for round 1 with a win this week against a struggling Dallas team.
3. Orlando Storm (7-2)
Previous Rank: #3
Week 9 Result: 27-19 win vs DC
Week 10 Opponent: at DC Defenders Sunday 12 ET
Orlando stayed hot with a 27-19 home win over DC. Jack Plummer completed 77.8% of his passes for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns. Orlando had trouble stopping the run at times, but still held DC to just 3 third-down conversions. Orlando does not have a lot to play for this week as they play DC again, as they locked up home-field advantage in the playoff round 1.
4. DC Defenders (5-4)
Previous Rank: #4
Week 9 Result: 19-27 loss at Orlando
Week 10 Opponent: vs Orlando Storm Sunday 12 ET
DC fell 19-27 on the road to Orlando as they began life without Jordan Taāamu, who was injured in week 8. Spencer Sanders completed 47.6% of his passes for 160 yards. The running game had a strong day, led by Spencer Sanders and Deon Jackson, who both rushed 8 times, averaging over 8 yards per carry. DC would like to see some strong passing play this week to build confidence before the postseason. The league announced that DC clinched the playoffs as they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with Birmingham, but that would become a moot point if we end up seeing a 3-way tie between Louisville, DC, and Birmingham, who are in a rock-paper-scissors head-to-head tiebreaking scenario.
5. Houston Gamblers (3-6)
Previous Rank: #5
Week 9 Result: 15-21 loss vs St. Louis
Week 10 Opponent: at Birmingham Stallions Saturday 3 ET
Houston dropped the Crown in a 15-21 home loss to St. Louis. Marcus Yarns was a bright spot, rushing 13 times for 98 yards. Houston saw play from quarterbacks John Rhys Plumlee and Hunter Dekkers, but neither player was able to complete much higher than 50% s they combined for 146 yards. The Gamblers have struggled to gain offensive continuity since the injury bug found their quarterbacks early in the season.
6. Columbus Aviators (3-6)
Previous Rank: #8
Week 9 Result: 36-29 win vs Birmingham
Week 10 Opponent: vs Louisville Kings Sunday 6 ET
The Aviators picked up a much-needed victory against Birmingham in week 9, which saw them have 392 total yards to Birminghamās 237. Jalan Morton completed 14 of his 30 passes for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception and added 93 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Columbus saw strong play from the pass rush as they had 4 sacks, however star defensive end Kenny Willekes sustained an injury on a sack he recorded that saw him go to injured reserve.
7. Birmingham Stallions (4-5)
Previous Rank: #6
Week 9 Result: 29-36 loss at Columbus
Week 10 Opponent: vs Houston Gamblers Saturday 3 ET
Birmingham dropped a 29-36 decision in Columbus. Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed 45.7% of his passes for 157 yards and a touchdown with 2 interceptions. I havenāt seen enough from DTR for me to believe that Birmingham has the capacity to make much noise in the postseason if they make it there. Snoop Conner led the way on the ground, rushing 10 times for 58 yards.
8. Dallas Renegades (3-6)š
Previous Rank: #7
Week 9 Result: 23-37 loss at Louisville
Week 10 Opponent: at St. Louis Battlehawks Friday 8 ET
Imagine if you will, a football team opening up their 10-game season 3-0, only to lose their next 6 straight to be eliminated from playoff contention. Austin Reed had one of his least productive games yet, completing 7 of his 21 passes for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception. Dallas had 234 yards of offense to Louisvilleās 470. They have a chance to end their losing streak in St. Louis Friday night.