There are just three more weeks until the 2026 UFL playoffs get underway, and there doesn't seem to be a clear-cut sign of who the legitimate best teams in the league are versus the worst.
What a great problem for the league to have as all eight teams still have a path to the playoffs with the DC Defenders, St. Louis Battlehawks, and Orlando Storm just one win away from clinching playoff spots. The better part of the incredible parity around the league is that the Birmingham Stallions, Dallas Renegades, and Louisville Kings are all tied for the last playoff spot at 3-4.
It's hard to separate who are considered contenders in the UFL from who are the pretenders entering Week 8. So, let's break it all down by each team and figure out who is for real.
UFL's Contenders-Pretenders Going Into Week 8
St. Louis Battlehawks (5-2) - Contender
While the Battlehawks don't always win pretty, they are a feisty team that can grind out a win thanks to their fourth quarter play. There is much more belief in the team now that Luis Perez is the starter at quarterback, which has completely changed the outlook for the offense. St. Louis still arguably has the best defensive line in the league, giving them every chance to win the UFL title, given how they are playing right now.
DC Defenders (5-2) - Contender
Losing to the Kings in Week 7 felt like an oddity, as no one could have expected it, but it doesn't change the fact that the Defenders are still one of the most complete teams in the league. The offense is still rolling, and the defense has enough support in the secondary to shut down any passing game. DC also has a massive advantage with Shannon Harris coaching the team, as that familiarity will help the Defenders down the stretch, since the team knows how to win a title like they did last year.
Orlando Storm (5-2) - Pretender
The Storm should still be able to make the playoffs, and they have good talent on the roster, but something still feels off about this team as they broke their two-game losing streak by barely escaping Houston with a one-point win over the Gamblers in Week 7. Jack Plummer is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but Orlando has become an undisciplined team with mental mistakes becoming a weekly occurrence. Plus, as great as Storm head coach Anthony Becht has been in his spring football career, he hasn't won a playoff game yet, so that doesn't help.
Birmingham Stallions (3-4) - Contender
There are still some question marks about this Stallions team, as they have been inconsistent, but they have now learned how to win tough games. In back-to-back weeks, they have had one side of the ball carry them to wins, but more credit should go to the defense for standing tall in the second halves. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, despite a quiet Week 7 against the Dallas Renegades, has brought the new energy the team needed, and head coach A.J. McCarron has finally built the team he hoped to have at the beginning of the season.
Louisville Kings (3-4) - Pretender
The Kings are very close to being on the opposite side of this conversation, but the trust isn't quite there yet. Kings quarterback Chandler Rogers is the real deal and has played extremely well, even if he isn't being asked to push the ball downfield as often. The defense is a top-four unit, but the problem is the inconsistency of the running game and the offensive line. If the line can hold up in pass protection and help Louisville get at least 100 rushing yards per game the rest of the year, the Kings have a chance to make the postseason, but they haven't done it nearly enough to trust them.
Dallas Renegades (3-4) - Pretender
After owning the longest losing streak in the UFL at four games, it would be safe to assume that the Renegades are no longer contenders. The offense can't create any big plays downfield, and even with the defense showing improvement, it's still inconsistent. At this point, there are no answers to be found, and their schedule is only going to get brutal with the Storm, Kings, and Battlehawks still to play.
Columbus Aviators (2-5) - Pretender
The Aviators are actually playing better football than the Renegades of late, as the offense is one of the best in the league, with the top-rated rushing attack and Jalan McClendon playing consistently. Even Columbus' defense has played better over the last few games, but the team just digs itself into a hole that's too big to climb out of and doesn't have enough time to get back into it. At 2-5, it's not looking good for Columbus, but still plenty to be hopeful about.
Houston Gamblers (2-5) - Pretender
Despite some really close losses, the Gamblers are the worst team in the UFL. When the fourth quarter hits, this team struggles with staying in games and always seems to find a way to lose. They can't control the insane number of quarterback injuries they have had to deal with, but it's safe to assume the Gamblers are unlikely to make the playoffs, and the UFL will have some tough decisions to make in the offseason regarding this franchise.