With one week left in the UFL regular season and the four playoff participants set, we’re going to be treated to not one but two matchups featuring the USFL and XFL title game contenders playing each other in back-to-back weeks.
In a rare opportunity to play a game that does not affect winning the title but does allow for scouting and game-planning, gamesmanship will be at an all-time high for the Birmingham Stallions, Michigan Panthers, San Antonio Brahmas and St. Louis Battlehawks.
That said, let’s get to the penultimate edition of the 2024 UFL power rankings.
1. Birmingham Stallions (8-1)
After 379 days, the Stallions’ undefeated streak came to an end in their 18-9 loss to the Brahmas on Saturday. MVP favorite Adrian Martinez looked good once again on the stat line — 267 total yards — but came up short in the game’s final minute, throwing just his third interception of the season.
Before their loss in Week 9, the Stallions featured one of the league’s most explosive offenses, scoring at least 30 points in each of their past four games and at least 20 points in every game this season. Birmingham’s defense kept to its average too, allowing just 17.9 points per game before giving up 18 in Saturday’s stunning loss.
Birmingham’s two losses in two years have come against Texas teams: San Antonio and Houston (2023 in the USFL).
Still, the Stallions have shown themselves to be a cut above the rest and will look to reset in Week 10 with a tilt against the Michigan Panthers to win the USFL Conference regular-season title outright. Birmingham will face Michigan twice in two weeks, with both teams clinching spots in the upcoming USFL title game on Saturday, June 8.
2. San Antonio Brahmas (7-2)
The Brahmas became the first team to defeat the Stallions in the UFL this season. With the return of QB Chase Garbers, the run game (219 yards) took the lead in Saturday’s win. Five Brahmas players rushed for 25 yards or more.
An injury to star tight end Cody Latimer took away Garbers’ and Quinten Dormady’s favorite receiving target for the game, but head coach Wade Phillips’ No. 1-ranked scoring defense picked up the slack by stifling a Birmingham offense that was averaging 25.5 points per game this season.
In what could function as a preview of the UFL Championship Game, the Brahmas took over the No. 1 seed in the XFL Conference with the win — and potentially picked up a psychological advantage over the Stallions if they meet again at The Dome at America’s Center.
If San Antonio defeats St. Louis in Week 10 (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app), the Brahmas will secure home-field advantage for the XFL title game and avoid playing in the postseason’s most intimidatin
