UFL Power Rankings Week 9

Week 9 saw surprising results including the Birmingham Stallions finally taking their first L of the season after seeming unbeatable for much of the year. Meanwhile, the Arlington Renegades earned their 2nd win of the season over the St. Louis Battlehawks. 

The games on Sunday saw the team with the stronger record win in both games as the Michigan Panthers defeated the Houston Roughnecks and the DC Defenders defeated the Memphis Showboats although both games were closely contested and decided by 1 score.

Predictions: UFL News Hub Writers’ Week 10 Picks

#1 Birmingham Stallions (8-1)

Week 1 result: Defeated Arlington on the road 27-14.

Week 2 result: Defeated Michigan on the road 20-13.

Week 3 result: Defeated Memphis at home 33-14.

Week 4 result: Defeated DC at home 20-18.

Week 5 result: Defeated Houston on the road 32-9.

Week 6 result: Defeated Memphis on the road 39-21.

Week 7 result: Defeated St. Louis at home 30-26.

Week 8 result: Defeated Houston at home 35-28.

Week 9 result: Defeated Birmingham at home 18-9.

Previous rank: #1

The Birmingham Stallions have lost a game after winning their past 15. The Stallions fell to the Brahmas 9-18 on the road in what was the first meeting between these franchises. Despite the loss Birmingham still holds the top spot due to their dominance over the majority of the season.

Week 9 saw Adrian Martinez complete 18 of his 32 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. Jace Sternberger led the team in receiving as he caught 7 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.

Linebacker DeMarquis Gates led the team in tackles with 9 last week including a sack. Defensive end Dondra Tillman was the highest graded player by Pro Football Focus defensively for the Stallions in week 9 in large part due to his pass rush grade as he had 4 total pressures.

Week 10 will see the Birmingham Stallions host the Michigan Panthers in a game that means nothing regarding the playoff outcome but means everything in the conversation of divisional pride. The Stallions will host the Panthers in the playoffs in the following week.

#2. San Antonio Brahmas (7-2)

Week 1 result: Defeated DC at home 27-12

Week 2 result: Defeated Memphis on the road 20-19.

Week 3 result: Lost to St. Louis at home 24-31.

Week 4 result: Defeated Michigan at home 19-9.

Week 5 result: Defeated Arlington on the road 25-15.

Week 6 result: Lost to DC on the road 12-18.

Week 7 result: Defeated Houston on the road 15-12.

Week 8 result: Defeated Arlington at home 20-15.

Week 9 result: Defeated Birmingham at home 18-9.

Previous rank: #3.

The San Antonio Brahmas handed the Birmingham Stallions their first loss of the season and now find themselves in first in the XFL Division.

Chase Garbers completed 16 of his 23 passes for 139 yards. Jontre Kirklin led the team in receiving with 66 yards over 4 catches. On the ground, Anthony McFarland was highly impactful rushing 15 times for 82 yards.

On defense, Jodan Mosley led the team in tackles with 8. Defensive end Delontae Scott had the highest defensive grade from PFF as he made 5 total QB hurries including a sack.

The Brahmas will travel to face the St. Louis Battlehawks on the road on Sunday in a game that will decide who earns the top seed in the XFL Division.

#3 Michigan Panthers (7-2)

Week 1 result: Defeated St. Louis at home 18-16.

Week 2 result: Lost to Birmingham at home 13-20.

Week 3 result: Defeated Houston at home 20-34.

Week 4 result: Lost to San Antonio on the road 9-19.

Week 5 result: Defeated Memphis on the road 35-18.

Week 6 result: Defeated Arlington at home 28-27.

Week 7 result: Defeated DC on the road 22-9.

Week 8 result: Defeated Memphis at home 24-18.

Week 9 result: Defeated Houston on the road 26-22.

Previous rank: #4

The Michigan Panthers extended their winning streak to 5 games after winning a close one in Houston.

Week 9 saw Michigan play both Danny Etling and Byrce Perkins at quarterback. Etling completed 12 of his 18 passes for 110 yards with 1 interception. Bryce Perkins was listed as the 2nd string QB in this tilt and completed 12 of his 15 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. Perkins added 76 yards on the ground and 2 rushing touchdowns. Perkins demonstrated good decision-making often as he made great reads on RPOs.

Siaosi Mariner led the team in receiving as he caught 8 passes for 95 yards. Devin Ross was second with 4 catches for 54 yards.

On defense, Breeland Speaks was a monster picking up 3 sacks, 6 tackles, and a pass breakup. Linebacker Javin White led the team with 9 tackles. Defensive end Ron’Dell Carter was also impressive as he made 3 total tackles which were all on good run-stopping plays. Carter also had 6 total pressures.

#4 St. Louis Battlehawks (6-3)

Week 1 result: Lost to Michigan on the road 16-18.

Week 2 result: Defeated Arlington at home 27-24.

Week 3 result: Defeated San Antonio on the road 31-24.

Week 4 result: Defeated Memphis at home 32-17.

Week 5 result: Defeated DC on the road 45-12.

Week 6 result: Defeated Houston 22-8.

Week 7 result: Lost to Birmingham on the road 26-30.

Week 8 result: Defeated DC at home 26-31.

Week 9 result: Lost to Arlington on the road 22-36.

Previous Rank: #2

The St. Louis Battlehawks suffered a defeat on the road to the Arlington Renegades losing 22-36. Manny Wilkins started at quarterback again in place of the injured A.J. McCarron. Wilkins completed 18 of his 32 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown with 3 interceptions. He added 51 rushing yards on 10 rushes and 2 touchdowns.

Darius Shepherd led the team in receiving with 5 catches for 47 yards. Steve Mitchell Jr. was close behind him with 4 receptions for 46 yards including a 40-yard reception. Runningback Jacob Saylors had a very productive game rushing 14 times for 104 yards.

On defense, Willie Harvey led the team in tackles with 11. Safety Keylon Kennedy had the highest defensive grade on the team from PFF in large part due to a great cover grade. However, it was not enough to slow the Renegades high-powered passing offense in week 9.

St. Louis will host the San Antonio Brahmas in week 10 in a game that will decide who wins the XFL Division heading into the playoffs.

#5 DC Defenders (4-5)

Week 1 result: Lost to San Antonio on the road 12-27.

Week 2 result: Defeated Houston at home 23-18.

Week 3 result: Defeated Arlington on the road 29-28.

Week 4 result: Lost to Birmingham on the road 18-20.

Week 5 result: Lost to St. Louis at home 12-45 

Week 6 result: Defeated San Antonio at home 18-12.

Week 7 result: Lost to Michigan at home 9-22.

Week 8 result: Lost to St. Louis on the road 21-26.

Week 9 result: Defeated Memphis on the road 36-21.

Previous Rank: #5

The DC Defenders ended a 2 game-losing skid with a strong win over the Memphis Showboats. Jordan Ta’amu had a great completion percentage as he completed 20 of his 24 passes for 237 yars and 2 touchdowns although he did have 2 interceptions. Ta’amu also rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown over 4 rushes.

Keke Coutee had the most receiving yards with 69 over 5 receptions. Brandon Smith had the most receptions for the Defenders in week 9 as he caught 6 passes for 52 yards.

DC had a healthy balance of run plays in their win which saw Darius Hagans rush 11 times for 46 yards and Cam’Ron Harris rush 13 times for 43 yards.

Safety Montae Nicholson led the team in tackles with 7 and also had an interception and a pass breakup. Nicholson had the highest PFF defensive grade on the team in week 9. Cornerback Gareon Conley also had a pass breakup and an interception in addition to his 4 tackles. Defensive end Derick Robinson had the 2nd highest PFF defensive grade with strong marks in pass rushing and run stopping. Robinson had 4 total tackles and 2 QB pressures.

#6. Arlington Renegades (2-7)

Week 1 result: Lost to Birmingham at home 27-14.

Week 2 result: Lost to St. Louis on the road 27-24.

Week 3 result: Lost to DC at home 28-29.

Week 4 result: Lost to Houston on the road 9-17.

Week 5 result: Lost to San Antonio at home 15-25.

Week 6 result: Lost to Michigan on the road 27-28.

Week 7 result: Defeated Memphis at home 47-23.

Week 8 result: Lost to San Antonio 15-20.

Week 9 result: Defeated St. Louis at home 36-22.

Previous Rank: #6

The Arlington Renegades won their 2nd game of the season and improved to 2-1 in their last 3 games. Luis Perez was highly efficient as he completed 24 of his 36 passes for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns. Sal Cannella led the team in receiving with 5 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Winstead caught 4 passes for 64 yards and also had a touchdown.

On the ground runningback Devin Darrington rushed for 41 yards on 8 carries and De’Veon Smith rushed 10 times for 40 yards.

Linebacker Donald Payne led the team in tackles with 8. Safety Joe Powell had the highest defensive grade from PFF in large part due to a strong cover grade. Joe Powell, Steven Jones Jr., and Myles Dorn all recorded an interception in the win for Arlington.

Arlington will finish their season on the road against the DC Defenders in a rematch of the 2023 XFL Championship.

#7. Houston Roughnecks (1-8)

Week 1 result: Lost to Memphis at home 12-18.

Week 1 result: Lost to DC on the road 18-23.

Week 3 result: Lost to Michigan on the road 20-34.

Week 4 result: Defeated Arlington at home 17-9.

Week 5 result: Lost to Birmingham at home 9-32.

Week 6 result: Lost to St. Louis 8-22.

Week 7 result: Lost to San Antonio at home 12-15.

Week 8 result: Lost to Birmingham on the road 28-35.

Week 9 result: Lost to Michigan at home 22-26.

Previous rank: #7

The Houston Roughnecks have lost 3 close games in a row to some of the top teams in the league. It’s hard to celebrate a defeat but the Roughnecks can at least see the silver lining of the fact that they are playing as a competitive football team despite the poor record.

Houston saw both quarterbacks get a significant amount of playing time. Nolan Henderson completed 7 of his 18 passes for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. Henderson also led the team in rushing with 66 yards on 9 rushes. Reid Sinnett completed 6 of his 11 passes for 57 yards. Justin Hall led the team in receiving with 6 catches for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

On defense, safety Markel Roby probably had the strongest game for the Roughnecks as he had 5 tackles, an interception, and 2 breakups. 3 of his tackles were assisting on run stops. Houston overall struggled to find an answer to Michigan’s mobile quarterbacks who saw a lot of success with RPO utilization in week 9.

Houston will play the Memphis Showboats on Sunday. The winner of the game will be awarded the first pick in the UFL Draft this offseason.

#8. Memphis Showboats (1-8)

Week 1 result: Defeated Houston on the road 18-12.

Week 2 result: Lost to San Antonio at home 19-20.

Week 3 result: Lost to Birmingham on the road 14-33.

Week 4 result: Lost to St. Louis on the road 17-32.

Week 5 result: Lost to Michigan at home 18-35.

Week 6 result: Lost to Birmingham at home 21-39.

Week 7 result: Lost to Arlington on the road 23-47.

Week 8 result: Lost to Michigan on the road 18-24.

Week 9 result: Lost to DC at home 21-36.

Previous rank #8

Memphis played a very strong game in week 8 despite losing to Michigan. Unfortunately, they lost 21-36 to DC in week 9 and have now lost all but one of their last 7 games by 2 scores or more.

Josh Love completed 9 of his 14 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown with 2 interceptions. Troy Williams completed 4 passes of his 7 for 15 yards. Jonathan Adams led the team in receiving as he caught 5 passes for 73 yards.

One positive note was Darius Victor who rushed 14 times for 98 yards and a touchdown. Victor had a slower start to his season so seeing him with a highly productive game is great to see for the Showboats.

Safety Lamont McPhatter led the team in tackles with 9 including 1 sack. Jordan Ferguson and Quenton Meeks also had a sack. D.J. Daniel and Delrick Abrams both recorded an interception in the game for Memphis.

Memphis will close out their season against Houston which they defeated in week 1 18-12. The winner of the match will see their team awarded the first pick in the UFL Draft.

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