2025 UFL Season: Week 7 Game Previews & Predictions
Last week's UFL featured a nice mix of defensive battles and spectacular plays, setting up what should be an exciting last four weeks of the regular season.
I went 2-2 in my picks, which puts me at 11-13 on the season. I’m hoping to bounce back nicely with some close games this week.
Here are my Week 7 UFL game previews and predictions:
D.C. Defenders-San Antonio Brahmas Game Details
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Location: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
Date and Time: Friday, May 9 at 8:00 pm EST
Network: FOX
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Defenders -7.5, O/U 37.5
Key Injuries
The safety position has not been kind to the Defenders with injuries. Sam Kidd (right foot) and Tayler Hawkins (left wrist) are both out of the game. Defensive end Andre Mintze (head) and wide receiver Josh Matthews (left hamstring) are also listed as out. D.C. does have some good news: despite being limited in practice on Wednesday, cornerback Bryce Thompson is listed as probable with a left hamstring injury.
San Antonio will be hit hard with plenty of key roster injuries. Offensive lineman Zuri Henry is listed as doubtful, having a right knee injury. Five players have been listed as out for the game:
Greg Ward, WR (abdomen)
Anthony McFarland Jr., RB (left shoulder)
Darius Phillips, CB (left quad)
Mathew Sexton, WR (right hamstring)
Caeveon Patton, DE (neck)
Keys to Victory
D.C. has to let Jordan Ta’amu loose and let him either sling the ball down the field or use his legs more often. Tackling will be key for the Defenders’ defense as wrapping up on first contact will slow down the Brahmas’ offense.
The Defenders rely on the big plays on offense to help them, so San Antonio needs to drop back more defenders to prevent plays of 20 or more yards. San Antonio has only scored six points in the last two games and needs to execute in the red zone with touchdowns.
Prediction: Defenders 30, Brahmas 15
Michigan Panthers-Arlington Renegades Game Details
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Location: Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Date and Time: Saturday, May 10 at 1:00 pm EST
Network: FOX
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Panthers -3, O/U 42.5
Key Injuries
Michigan’s defense has taken most of the hits with injuries, as three players are listed as out. Cornerback Levonta Taylor (right knee), defensive tackle Walter Palmore (right knee), and defensive back Bryce Torneden (left knee) will not play against Arlington.
The Renegades have two players listed as out, with running back Kalen Ballage (left shoulder) already being announced as out for the season. Starting center Jake Johanning (head) will also be out for the game.
Keys to Victory
The offensive game plan in Michigan is easy: let Bryce Perkins cook. Whether he runs or throws the ball, the offense has to flow through him. Defensively, the Panthers’ secondary will be tested. Without Ballage playing, the Renegades will become more one-dimensional with their offense by throwing the football.
Arlington’s offensive line has to cut back on the penalties, as Marcus Minor was responsible for four of them himself. Quarterback Luis Perez will have to carry this offense and make sure he makes plays in the red zone to convert for touchdowns and not settling for field goals.
Prediction: Panthers 27, Renegades 19
Houston Roughnecks-Birmingham Stallions Game Details
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Location: Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama
Date and Time: Sunday, May 11 at noon EST
Network: ABC
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Stallions -5.5, O/U 38.5
Key Injuries
Houston's biggest concern right now is running back Kirk Merritt, who has not practiced this week with a left hamstring injury. Cornerback Damon Arnette has been practicing the last two days, which could mean he might be on his way to returning. Wide receiver Marcus Simms (left hamstring), tight end Geor’Quarius Spivey (right hamstring), and defensive end Tashawn Bower (left shoulder) have been limited in practice this week.
Birmingham is starting to get healthy at the right time, with the following players being full participants in practice this week:
Cole Schneider, G (right ankle)
Mario Goodrich, CB (left ankle)
Case Cookus, QB (right knee)
Daniel Isom, CB (right ankle)
Kenny Robinson Jr., SS (left ankle)
The Stallions do have three players on the injury report who have not practiced yet this week:
Austin Watkins Jr., WR (lower back)
Andrew Peasley, QB (right knee)
Ronnie Perkins, DE (left foot)
Keys to Victory
Houston has significantly improved over the last few weeks, with quarterback Jalan McClendon being a massive reason for it. Arnette appears to be getting healthy, as the Roughnecks’ secondary has been banged. They will need all the defensive backs they can handle, as the Stallions are able to execute big pass plays.
The quarterback position concerns the Stallions, but Cookus appears to be in line to start and Alex McGough is close to returning. Birmingham’s defense is getting back to near full strength as it will be able pressuring McClendon within two seconds to force bad passes.
Prediction: Stallions 23, Roughnecks 20
St. Louis Battlehawks-Memphis Showboats Game Details
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Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee
Date and Time: Sunday, May 11 at 3:00 pm EST
Network: ESPN
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Battlehawks -4.5, O/U 39.5
Key Injuries
Like the Stallions, the Battlehawks are also starting to get healthy at the right time, despite still dealing with key players with injuries. Here are the players who have fully practiced this week:
Steven Gonzalez, G (left knee)
Jake Sutherland, TE (right elbow)
Carson Wells, OLB (left foot)
Juwann Bushell-Beatty, T (right foot)
Three St. Louis players have not practiced this week:
Austin Faoliu, DE (left knee)
Hakeem Butler, WR (illness)
Phil Hoskins, DE (illness)
Memphis’ injury report is all over the place. Cornerback Darius Phillips (left quad) and Cameron Dantzler (personal reasons) have not practiced this week. Cornerback Kyree Woods (hamstring) and wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II (left knee) have been limited in practice.
Keys to Victory
Max Duggan has been improving each week at quarterback for St. Louis as the Battlehawks need to run more RPO plays to open up the opportunities for him to run. Their offensive line is getting healthier, which will only mean the running game is about to get better. Memphis is starting to get better with the running game with Wes Hills, so St. Louis has to be careful with overcommitting to the run.
Speaking of Hills, he has helped spark the running game in Memphis, which takes the pressure off quarterback Dresser Winn. The Showboats’ defense should stack eight in the box, but if Hakeem Butler does play for St. Louis, their secondary has to be ready for big plays down the field.
