Week 9 of the 2025 UFL season featured some slender wins, dominating performances and one surprising upset.
The St. Louis Battlehawks took sole possession atop the XFL Convention with a 39-13 win over the struggling San Antonio Brahmas, marking the crew’s league-leading fifth consecutive win.
The Birmingham Stallions snagged a 26-22 victory over the visiting Michigan Panthers on Saturday in what was a preview of the USFL Convention title recreation, whereas the Arlington Renegades obtained again on observe with a 30-12 victory over the Memphis Showboats in a weather-delayed recreation.
Within the ultimate recreation of the weekend, the Houston Roughnecks surprised the DC Defenders in a last-minute thriller, 24-21.
[MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League]
That mentioned, here is a take a look at my up to date UFL Energy Rankings following Week 9:
Present odds to win 2025 title: N/A
Jashaun Corbin continued to be the shining mild in an in any other case darkish season for the Brahmas, who have been clobbered by the Battlehawks. He rushed for 85 yards on 14 rushes, which was simply 19 yards wanting what San Antonio was capable of amass with Kellen Mond at quarterback. The previous Texas A&M signal-caller completed 14-for-26 for 103 yards, whereas the San Antonio protection didn’t do a lot to maintain the offense within the recreation.
In complete, the Brahmas’ protection gave up greater than 400 yards, together with 169 yards on the bottom.
Present odds to win 2025 title: N/A
In a largely forgettable season for Memphis, the Showboat quarterbacks E.J. Perry and Dresser Winn performed a largely forgettable recreation towards Arlington final week. Neither threw for greater than 100 yards — 89 and 83, respectively — and neither obtained a lot assist from a dashing assault that collected simply 42 yards on 20 rushes.
Although the Renegades dedicated 11 penalties for 96 yards, the Showboats might do little to nothing to make the most of these alternatives.
Present odds to win 2025 title: N/A
Head coach Curtis Johnson has achieved a exceptional job maintaining his crew composed and engaged this season with many ups and downs, and a win towards the perfect crew within the UFL is actually candy. It’s going to function proof of what Houston can do in 2026, particularly if it is capable of return the duo of QB Jalan McClendon and WR Justin Hall.
McClendon accomplished 21 of 30 passes for 232 yards, together with 10 for 126 yards to Corridor, who’s the Roughnecks’ greatest offensive weapon. Houston can safe its first non-losing season with a win this weekend.
Present odds to win 2025 title: N/A
In a recreation about satisfaction, the Renegades confirmed what they may’ve been able to had one or two performs gone their method previous to Week 9 and earned them the prospect to play within the postseason. Because it stands, an 18-point shellacking of the Showboats must do.
QB Luis Perez accomplished 20 of 30 passes for 206 yards with two touchdowns, and wideout Tyler Vaughns loved an excellent day with eight catches for 107 yards and a rating. The Arlington protection additionally recorded 5 sacks, two compelled fumbles and an interception to assist the Renegades earn an opportunity to complete this season with out a shedding report.
Present odds to win 2025 title: +470
Regardless of QBs Jordan Ta’amu and Mike DiLiello combining to finish 31 of 51 passes for 371 yards, the Defenders fell to the Roughnecks in the one upset of the weekend. Two fumbles contributed to their woes, nevertheless it appeared Houston discovered itself taking part in for its satisfaction at a second when DC knew it was already taking part in postseason soccer.
Nonetheless, no crew ought to be ok with accepting a loss to an opponent it is aware of it ought to beat. That would be the message interim head coach Shannon Harris delivers his crew with postseason soccer simply over per week away.
Present odds to win 2025 title: +185
With out Bryce Perkins, former LSU quarterback Danny Etling earned one other likelihood to start out. He ended the sport finishing 22 of 39 go makes an attempt for 239 yards with two touchdowns. And whereas the Panthers’ rushers pushed the bottom recreation tally to over 100 yards, their protection couldn’t get off the sphere.
Of 13 third-down makes an attempt by the Stallions, the Panthers allowed 11 conversions and didn’t report a single takeaway.
Present odds to win 2025 title: +280
In a recreation that served to resolve which crew would have home-field benefit within the USFL Convention Championship Recreation, the Stallions discovered a approach to defeat what had been a red-hot Panthers crew.
J’Mar Smith‘s play has given head coach Skip Holtz a strong starter at quarterback, a place that has seen extra rotations than a 50-yard spiral. Smith went 22-for-31 for 307 yards with two touchdowns towards a stingy protection. Not solely did Smith unfold the ball round to 10 totally different receivers, however he additionally made certain the offense transformed 11 of 13 third downs within the largest recreation of the common season.
Present odds to win 2025 title: +195
The Battlehawks had the luxurious of figuring out they play for the XFL Convention title in two weeks, and there have been indicators that they’re nonetheless getting higher this late within the season. Whereas Max Duggan and Brandon Silvers every noticed vital time behind middle, the offense by no means confirmed it was out of sync, with the duo combining to finish 19 of 27 passes for 233 yards and the offense averaging higher than six yards per play.
The consequence was the form of efficiency that head coach Anthony Becht knew his membership was able to all season, as St. Louis tries to win its first XFL Convention title with the perfect home-field benefit in spring professional soccer.
RJ Younger is a nationwide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities. Observe him at @RJ_Young.
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