The UFL playoffs featured two exciting games between the Michigan Panthers and Birmingham Stallions in the USFL Conference championship game and the San Antonio Brahmas and the Saint Louis Battlehawks in the XFL Conference championship game. In the USFL Conference championship game, the Birmingham Stallions overcame an early deficit and got a 31 to 18 win over the Michigan Panthers. In the XFL Conference championship game, the San Antonio Brahmas got their first win in team history over the Saint Louis Battlehawks by picking up a 25 to 15 victory on the road.
The final matchup for the 2024 UFL season features the Birmingham Stallions facing the San Antonio Brahmas in Saint Louis, playing for the first UFL championship. During the XFL and USFL Conference championship games, several quarterbacks raised their game to give their best chance to get to the UFL championship game. Ultimately, the quarterbacks who found a way to make the most plays while limiting their mistakes were able to help their team overcome several challenges that they faced to get to the next step in the UFL journey.
Now that we know which teams will be playing for the UFL championship let’s analyze the performance of all the quarterbacks who were fortunate enough to lead their team to the post-season during the 2024 UFL season.
#1 Chase Garbers, San Antonio Brahmas, XFL Conference Champions
Since the start of the UFL season, many have doubted the San Antonio Brahmas’ ability to become a championship team. Despite several injuries and facing challenges every week, head coach Wade Phillips and offensive coordinator AJ Smith were able to prepare their quarterbacks for championship-level success. Along the way, the Brahmas have relied on the performance of quarterbacks Chase Garbers and Quinten Dormady.
The XFL Conference championship game featured a flashback to the start of the 2022 season, with Chase Garbers playing at a high level. Garbers led the Brahmas to a 25-to-15 upset over the Saint Louis Battlehawks. During the game, Garbers completed 15 out of 21 passes for 197 yards, which resulted in two touchdowns and an interception. The XFL championship-winning performance resulted in a quarterback efficiency rating 172 for Garbers.
#2 Matt Corral and Adrian Martinez, Birmingham Stallions, USFL Conference Champions
For most of the 2024 UFL season, Stallions quarterback Adrian Martinez performed at a high level and established himself as a top quarterback in the UFL. Unfortunately, in the USFL championship game, Martinez had a slow start against the Michigan Panthers, completing 10 out of 19 passes for 164 yards, resulting in a touchdown and an interception. Martinez’s early struggles to get in a rhythm opened the door for Matt Corral to return to the field, and Corral took advantage of the opportunity.
Corral completed 9 out of 11 passes for 120 yards, resulting in two touchdowns and an interception, leading the Stallions to a 31 to 18 comeback victory against the Michigan Panthers. The Stallions’ success was driven by the combined success of Martinez and Corral. Martinez achieved a quarterback efficiency rating of 132, Corral had a quarterback efficiency rating of 215.3, and the total rating for the tandem was 173.7.
#3 AJ McCarron, Saint Louis Battlehawks, XFL Conference Runner-Up
The Saint Louis Battlehawks and quarterback AJ McCarron had a great start to the 2024 season. In the second half of the season, however, AJ McCarron was limited due to an ankle injury suffered against the Birmingham Stallions. Regardless of McCarron’s injury, the Battlehawks came into the XFL Conference championship as heavy favorites to win the game and host the inaugural UFL championship game.
Despite McCarron’s best efforts to lead the Battlehawks to the last game of the UFL season, he was unable to make enough plays to overcome the Brahmas defense. McCarron completed 19 out of 29 passes for 179 yards, resulting in one touchdown and no interceptions. His performance resulted in a quarterback efficiency rating of 128.7.
#4 Danny Etling, Michigan Panthers, USFL Conference Runner-Up
The Michigan Panthers and quarterback Danny Etling had their chance to upset the Stallions and make it to the UFL championship game. Etling had a great start to the game, but he had a disastrous performance in the third quarter. That poor third-quarter performance allowed the Stallions to get back in control of the game, leading to the Stallions’ big win.
Etling completed 18 out of 29 passes for 182 yards, which resulted in one touchdown. Etling’s downfall was throwing three interceptions, which was the determining factor in the game. In a losing effort, Etling achieved a quarterback efficiency rating of 105.5.
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