In round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs, I went an even 2-2 in all 4 series I predicted. In round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs, I went 6-2. That gives me an 8-4 record overall in the NHL playoff series in this 2025 Stanley Cup post-season. I have not done well at predicting the games my prediction won it in. Perhaps I need to pick up my crystal ball from the cleaners. Now we are down to the final 4 teams in the Stanley Cup post-season. We have two playoff series as I try to predict winners of the two conferences championship games. I could just give you the match up from last year between Edmonton and Florida and call it a day. I want you to read them as I did not just go with the same two teams from last year. I will offer one hint as one of the two teams from last year make it back to the Stanley Cup finals. One does not. We will see if I’m right as I roll out my two predictions for the Stanley Cup conference championship games.
THE FINAL 4
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
DALLAS STARS VERSUS EDMONTON OILERS
Season series: (2-1) favoring the Stars, Playoff history: (6-2) 8 series favoring Stars
Second round results: Stars eliminated the Jets in six games. The Oliers eliminated the Golden Knights in 5 games.
First round Dallas knocked out the Avalanche while Oilers knocked out the Kings
This is the third straight season the Dallas Stars have reached the Western Conference finals. It’s the third time in 4 seasons the Oilers have reached the Western Conference finals. This will be the second year in a row that the Stars and Oilers face off in the Western Conference finals as we know Edmonton prevailed last year.
For the Oilers, this team runs on Connor McDavid, one of the NHL superstars. Every Michael Jordan needs that Scottie Pippen and the Oilers have that in Leon Draisaitl. For most of the post-season, it has been McDavid and Draisaitl carrying this team on their shoulders. The Oilers finally got some other contributors in the last round. Guys like Corey Perry, Adam Henrque, and the degenerate gambler Evander Kane. Finally others are finding ways to score other than Connor and Leon.
MIRO RETURN
In the second round, the Stars got back their best defensive player in Miro Heiskanen who missed the first round. The Stars have solid goal-tending, they have a deep defensive unit, and Miro is the real deal. The Stars on offense have a slew of scoring forwards that have been contributing. Even the man of steel.
In 4th liner, is Sam Steel who has made the best of his playing time so far in the post-season adding his few pucks into the nets.
The Oilers I thought would be knocked out quickly by the Kings in the first round. They then surprised me when they dominated the Golden Knights. I think defense beats offense. The Oilers goaltender, Stuart Skinner, has been stopping the pucks he needs to stop. He’s not letting anything easy get by while the superstars handle the full load on the other side of the ice. The Stars goaltender, Jake Oettinger, has covered up the net up like the blob eating everything that is shot at him.
The Stars have the 3rd best penalty killing team while the Oilers are 3rd worst. I think the Stars will make Skin ole Stuart Skinner alive with shots coming at him from all directions. I feel the Stars can contain the Oilers superpower while policing the other suddenly contributors Edmonton had last series. I feel like I should just stick with the Oilers because they screwed me every time in this post-season so far. I’m that guy that believes better defense can beat the better offense. Count me out on the same match up as last season’s Stanley Cup final.
OUR PREDICTION: STARS WIN IT IN 6 GAMES
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
CAROLINA HURRICANES VERSUS FLORIDA PANTHERS
Season series: (2-1) favoring the Panthers, Playoff history: (4-0) 4 series favoring Panthers
Second round results: The Hurricanes eliminated the Capitals in 5 games. The Panthers eliminated the Maple Leafs in 7 games.
First round Carolina knocked out the Devils while the Panthers knocked out Tampa Bay.
The defending champions, Florida Panthers, now have reached their third straight Eastern Conference championship and looking for the two-peat. The Carolina Panthers are 8-2 in the post-season so far and making it look easy. The Hurricanes have that stingy defense while the Panthers will knock the daylights out of you with that aggressive style of fore checking.
Frederik Anderson has been one of the best goalies in post-season for the Carolina Hurricanes. With his play in the net, the Hurricanes have a plus 16 goal differential in the post-season so far. The Panthers made some nice savvy moves to improve an already championship roster at the trade deadline. A former Boston Bruin is paying off.
Brad Marchland has 12 post-season goals already in the first two playoff series for the Panthers. Could he be the equalizer for Anderson’s net play?
The Hurricanes have been knocking on the door with this group trying to get over the hump into the finals for the last few seasons. The Panthers have been battle tested so far in the first two rounds with the Lightning and Leafs last round. Will the Panthers be worn out after fighting their way back in that series versus Toronto after going down 2 games to nothing? The Hurricanes are one of the best teams at puck handling and possession of the biscuit on the ice. It seems like Florida can do whatever the Panthers do, just better at it. The Panthers goalie, Sergei Bobrovski, turned into the brick wall when needed in that Leafs series in the net. I like the champs experience in general and their team has the depth it needs and can handle adversity. The Canes have had it too easy in the post-season and will find out what adversity is when the Panthers start to put them in their place.
There she blows. The Roughnecks have a major spill in week 7 as the Stallions run wild. The BattleHawks are still perched at the top of these power rankings. Lots of comebacks to be talked about. We have 4 teams that have 5-2 records. Two teams with now 3-4 records holding on by a thread for their playoff lives as regular season is coming to an end in few weeks. Some teams’ playoff hopes have come to an end. We moved around a few chairs at the table for this edition of the power rankings. Take a seat and enjoy.
#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-7)
XFL CONFERENCE: Better performance on the field but not enough to move them out of the basement. Same spot as last week.
The San Antonio Brahmas have played their best two games versus the DC defenders this season. Their only win came against the Defenders in DC. Last Friday night, the Brahmas gave the Defenders another scare. You could say the Brahmas gift wrapped a victory for the Defenders in the end. It looked like it was going to be Hogan Heroes on offense prevailing over Colonel Klink’s blitzkrieg defense that the Defenders use.
The Brahmas won the time of possession in this match up 34:41 to the Defenders 25:39. Kevin Hogan had some solid numbers completing 20-31 which is 64.5 % of his passes for 230 passing yards. He threw two touchdown passes. He gained 32 yards on the ground and even told the referee in one drive he does not slide to give himself up.
The Brahmas running back, Jashaun Corbin, averaged 12.1 yards per carry as he had a 57 yard rushing touchdown. Corbin carried the ball 9 times. How did the Brahmas lose this one when they tallied up 24 points to their normal 3 points they have gotten in the last two games? The Brahmas were driving at the end of the first half leading the Defenders 12-6 and ready to add more points to the scoreboard right before half time. Kevin Hogan gets hit by his own guy and fumbles the ball as the Defender defense scooped up the pigskin and tied the game at the half, 12-12. The announcer called it a butt fumble by Hogan. The Brahmas hung with the Defenders most of this game and had opportunities they squandered. They ended up not being able to sweep the season series with DC and still have not won a game at home this season.
#7.MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-6)
USFL CONFERENCE: They gave the BattleHawks a battle last week. I still have them in the same spot as last week.
The Memphis Showboats were officially eliminated from the playoffs. It is a shame because this team has really found themselves in the last few weeks. They beat the Stallions in OT. They lost to the Roughnecks by 1 point. They lost a close one to a really good BattleHawks team. The Showboats defense has played stellar only giving up 19 points to St.Louis.
The Showboats are starting to rack up the turnovers on the defensive side as Kyree Woods had an interception that led into some points for the Showboats in the second half. The Showboats offense finally got on the board at the end of the first half with a touchdown pass from Dresser Winn to Jonathan Adams, one of the best wide receivers in the UFL.. That made it 10-6 BattleHawks at halftime. St.Louis has a solid defense and don’t give up many points. Winn had another good game completing 21-35 passes for 196 yards with the 1 touchdown pass. No interceptions, but he did fumble the ball which was his only blemish. The BattleHawks stopped the Showboats’ last drive which looked promising but eventually stalled out. The Showboats running back, Will Hills, who has contributed last few weeks in the running game did not return in the second half after 7 carries for 28 yards in the first half. The Showboats head coach Jim Turner has gotten the best out of his troops since taking over full time from Ken Whisenhunt who left the team twice this season for personal reasons. This team was not stable with leadership, and at the quarterback position, for most of the first half of the season. I bet they wish they had some more games on the schedule to overcome the slow start. I bet they still can notch another victory or two before the season ends.
#6. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (3-4)
USFL CONFERENCE: Houston had a problem last week that keeps them in the same spot from last week.
Houston professional football has been known for being in games when the other team makes a huge comeback on them.
One of the best post-season NFL games I ever watched was in 1992, the wild card game between the Bills and Oilers. It was the tale of two halves as the Oilers, led by Warren Moon, dominated the Bills building up a huge lead at the half. The Bills were playing this game without their star QB, Jim Kelly. Houston fans remember him from being their QB in the USFL in the 1980’s for the Gamblers. It was Frank Reich, the back up QB, who suddenly got hot and led the Bills to the biggest playoff comeback of all-time back then. The Roughnecks now have made that kind history in the UFL. The Roughnecks had won three straight games and built a very comfortable half time lead 25-6 against the Stallions, the cream of the crop of the USFL conference. The Roughnecks even knocked out the Stallions staring QB in this one. The Stallions had a veteran spring QB on the bench that sealed the deal for the Stallions as they erased a 19 point deficit to win the game 33-25. Houston is now part of that bad history, again being a footnote on the wrong side of the biggest comeback in a game in the two year league, the UFL.
Zaquandre White had one of his best games in a Roughnecks uniform as he had two rushing touchdowns which one of those runs was a 52 yarder. Jalen McClendon’s numbers behind center were solid. He did fumble the ball in the second half that gave the Stallions points. It was the tale of two halves for the Roughnecks, just like the Oilers in 1992. The Stallions defense in the 2nd half suddenly halted the Roughnecks’ activity to a grinding halt. If the Roughnecks would have won this game, their playoff chances would have dramatically increased. Now they have to pick up the pieces and pray the Stallions or Panthers falter in the last three games of the season.
#5. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-4)
XFL CONFERENCE: Renegades problems are closing out games. They remain in the same spot where we left them from last week.
Is it too late for the Arlington Renegades to sign Lorenzo Lamas? In his series he was always winning at the end of every episode unlike Arlington. The Arlington Renegades lost to the Panthers in the last second of the game. The Renegades, like the Roughnecks, had a nice comfortable lead in this game. The Renegades defense has played well all season but gave up 16 points in the 4th quarter. The Panthers tied the game at 18-18 by converting a 3 point play. Luis Perez is no Lorenzo Lamas, but he did drive the Renegades down the field and hooked up with his tight end, Sal Cannella, for a touchdown.
Cannella’s hair is like Lorenzo Lamas. The Renegades tight end finished the game with 6 catches for 92 yards and thoughts of having the go ahead score. The Renegades scored right around the 2 minute warning of the game that gave the Panthers plenty of time. The Renegades missed the extra point conversion so it was 24-18. The Panthers running back, Toa Taua, scored a rushing touchdown to tie the game at 24-24 with 1 second remaining. Then the bulldozer running back plowed into the end zone for the 1 point conversion and the game winner. The Renegades need to pick up the pieces quickly or their playoff hopes will evaporate as the BattleHawks and Defenders keep winning in the XFL Conference.
#4. DC DEFENDERS (5-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: When the Brahmas linger with you most of the game even though the Defenders won, you’re dropping at least one spot in the power rankings.
The Defenders have had problems with the San Antonio Brahmas this season. The Brahmas are the worst team in the league and their only win came from the Defenders. The Brahmas were about to add more points on a drive at the end of the first half last week versus the Defenders. The Brahmas QB ran into his own player and fumbled the ball as Anthony Hines III was Johnny on the spot with the scoop and touchdown. He also finished with 9 tackles. The Defenders would win this game 32-24 . If you take away that mistake by the Brahmas. They had the lead 12-6 looking for more points in the last minute of the half. If San Antonio scores, it would not have been 12-12 at half. It could have been 15-6 or 18-6, maybe more, if the Brahmas would have converted the extra points after a touchdown. It took the Defenders until the 4th quarter to finally shake the Brahmas and get the win. It was a road win and it improves their record to 5-2. They beat St.Louis earlier this season so they have the first place tie-breaker with them right now. The Defenders play St.Louis in the last week of the season. They play the Renegades this weekend & the last time they met with Arlington, it was a close game in a shoot out. Jordan Ta’amu had a great game behind center completing 19-24 for 278 passing yards with three touchdown passes. If the Defenders want to win it all, he needs to have games like that where he’s completing over 60% of his passes. If I was a Defenders fan, you don’t want to see him throw 40 passes and complete like 20 of them. Their defense worries me and their running game. Their aerial attack lights up the skies.
#3.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS(5-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Stallions are quietly creeping back up the power rankings as they move up one spot from last week.
Once again, the Birmingham Stallions find some new way of amazement. This time they make history pulling off the biggest comeback in UFL history as they erased a 19 point deficit against the Roughnecks who had a 25-6 halftime lead. Skip Holtz inserts quarterbacks into his system like light bulbs. Case Cookus has been the guy the last few weeks as his day he went 17-34 for 199 passing yards with a touchdown pass and a interception. He hit the Stallions number 1 tight end for a touchdown strike. Sternberger had 4 catches in the game for 74 yards with the touchdown catch. The Stallions’ two-headed monster at running back Ricky Person Jr. and C.J Marable each had a rushing touchdown.
When Cookus went down with an injury in the 4th quarter. Skip Holtz went with his old veteran who helped him with the first title for the Stallions in the USFL reboot, J’mar Smith.
J’mar hung up the spikes and retired from the spring fling. Skippy brings him out of retirement because he needed depth at the QB position due to all the injuries. Smith comes in not like the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, needing oil due to rust. He completes 3-5 balls for 63 yards and completes the Stallion’s historic comeback. You have to give the Stallions defense some credit for shutting down a pretty good Roughnecks offense in the second half to allow their offense to catch up. You just can’t count the Stallions out. They may get the 4-peat.
#2.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (5-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Panthers needed a comeback to get by the Renegades which will keep them in the same spot from last week.
The Panthers overcame some fumbles and scored 16 points in the 4th quarter to get by the Arlington Renegades, 24-24. It was running back Toa Taua finding paydirt with a rushing touchdown with one second left in the ballgame that tied things up. Taua then plowed in the end zone for the extra point that set up the win for the Panthers.
Taua had 31 rushing yards for the game along with 2 catches for 36 yards. Malik Turner also hauled in a touchdown pass from Bryce Perkins.
Turner had 4 catches in the game for 49 yards with the touchdown pass. Another pretty good day at the office for Perkins who was able to guide this team back in the game and help them prevail. He had 231 passing yards with a touchdown pass, ran for 60 yards, and had a touchdown with his legs. It was a great win for the Panthers, but at the same time they lose their best defensive player, Frank Ginda, to an injury. That will be a big blow for Michigan as they have high hopes of winning the entire thing this year.
#1. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (5-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: Finally have a team at the top of the UFL power rankings for longer than a week. The BattleHawks are in the same spot from last week looking down on the others.
Tom Brady with the Buccaneers was on the only team to have a home game in the Superbowl a few years back when the title game was played in Tampa Bay. The second UFL title game will be Arch-City. Can the BattleHawks be like that Tom Brady Buccaneers squad? The BattleHawks defense played solid versus the Showboats to add another win to their record last week. The BattleHawks defense held a Showboats offense that has gotten better, to only 9 points. Can Max Duggan lead this team all the way to the title game? I love how he can run the ball as he had 57 yards running the ball with a rushing touchdown. He did throw a touchdown pass but had another interception. I like to see him get better at throwing the ball. You have to love the defense and rushing attack on the BattleHawks offense.
What about the BattleHawks special teams? The kicker of the St.Louis BattleHawks is perfect 16-16 in field goals this season. Rodrigo Blankenship looks like Snoopy with those goggles ready to battle it out with the Red Baron. Blankenship may be the Jake Bates story last year in the UFL. Bates had the long distance field goal down to a science which earned him a better job with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Blankenship is perfect 5-5 in field goal attempts with 50 yards or more this season. It may earn him a job in the NFL this upcoming season. Right now Blankenship gives the BattleHawks another strength team-wise they have over other squads.
The Derek Carr era is over in New Orleans after only two seasons in the Big Easy. Carr has decided he will hang up the spikes for good at the age of 34 while playing 11 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders and Saints. Carr suffered a labral tear in his right shoulder which is his throwing arm, last season. Medical scans have shown he has degenerative changes in his rotator cuff which will need surgery to repair. Everything can heal on its own which will have a longer timetable. If Carr did have surgery, he would definitely miss the entire 2025 season. Instead he will forfeit 30 million in earnings in the contract and walk away from the game for good.
Derek Carr was drafted by the Oakland Raiders back in the 2014 NFL draft from Fresno State University in the second round. He played for the Raiders in Oakland and when they moved to Las Vegas for 9 seasons. In 2023 the Raiders head coach was Josh McDaniel,s the former Patriots disciple who should have never landed a second gig as a leader of a football franchise. McDaniels benched Carr. Things escalated as Carr would then not waive his no trade clause and eventually be released. Carr signed with the New Orleans Saints who were looking for their next QB to lead this franchise. Since Drew Brees retired, they have fallen on hard times. Carr made 4 Pro-Bowls. In his first ten years in the league, he played 15 or more games per season. He had some years he hovered around the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. Overall he may have been a middle of the pack QB his entire career. He only played in one post-season game in his career and was on the losing end of the wild card game in 2022 with the Raiders. Carr played for six different head coaches throughout his career of which two of them were interim. He had 5 offensive coordinators when he wore silver and black. With the gold and black uniforms in two seasons, he had 2 different offensive coordinators and two different head coaches. If Carr came back this season, he would have had three different head coaches in New Orleans as the Saints hired Kellen Moore during the off-season.
Last year the Saints were 0-7 without Derek Carr as the starter. Carr had an even 5-5 record in 10 games before his season ended. He completed 67.7% of his passes and tallied up 2,145 passing yards with 15 touchdown passes along with 5 interceptions. In New Orleans he leaves the Big Easy with a winning record in 27 games he did start, he went 14-13. I thought when Carr did sign with New Orleans, they had the best shot at winning the crappy NFC South division the last two seasons. His first season in New Orleans he had the Saints close, but at the end they could not march across the finish line. In 11 years Carr would have a losing record playing in 169 NFL games. He had a record of 77-92 as a starter. His completion rating was 65.1% as he tallied up 41,245 passing yards. Threw 257 touchdown passes with 112 interceptions. His two best seasons were in 2015 & ’16. In 2015 he had his career high with 32 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. In 2016 his record as the starter was 12-3 and the Raiders looked like they were going to go deep into the post-season. Carr had 28 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions in 15 games. The Raiders would make post-season and Carr would not play because he suffered a season ending injury close to the end of regular season. The Raiders would be one and done that year in post season.
Derek Carr’s brother was drafted in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft by the Houston Texans from Fresno State University. David played 10 seasons in the NFL with Texans, Giants, Panthers, and 49ers. His career started in 2002 and ended in 2012 as he played in 94 games. David was a first round bust. His rookie season he set the record for most sacks in one season by a QB in his first year. He went 23-56 as a starter and tallied up 14,452 passing yards. He threw for 65 touchdown passes compared to 71 interceptions. Derek most definitely had a better career than his brother David. I remember David put in a ton of time helping his younger brother be the better NFL quarterback.
The New Orleans Saints did draft a quarterback this season a few weeks back. In the second round at number 40, they selected Tyler Shough from Louisville. In 2024 the Saints drafted Spencer Rattler. In 2023 the Saints drafted Jack Haener. Shough was most likely hand-picked by the team’s new head coach Kellen Moore. Look for Shough to be the guy unless they land some veteran quarterback in a trade or pick one up as a free agent. Drew Brees was not drafted by the Saints. The Saints’ best QB they have drafted, you have to go back to 1971 when they drafted Archie Manning. Archie never got the Saints to post-season. Bobby Hebert was the first ever Saints quarterback to guide the Saints to the playoffs back in 1987.
Hebert played in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers and Oakland Invaders before going to the NFL where he signed with the Saints in 1985. The Saints’ best teams in history never developed a franchise QB. Now it’s time they do that. They have a new head coach. They have a slew of young QB’s to mold. Derek Carr unfortunately was not going to bring this Saints team all the way to the Superbowl. Playoffs at best. It did not happen. This current Saints team should gut this team that is in salary cap hell the last few years. Getting Carr off the books is a start. It would not take the Saints long to catch up to all the other teams in the division if they cleaned house and let the young guys get the experience while growing as a team. Who knows? Maybe one of the guys they have at QB will be the answer. If not, next year’s crop of QBs is much better. I did like Carr as a QB for both the Raiders and Saints. He was not going to be the next Mathew Stafford by going to another team and winning the Superbowl type of veteran. He had a nice career and was stuck in the middle of the pack his entire career which is not a bad thing as many guys can’t even start one game in the NFL.
We always come at you with a new team on top of the UFL Power Rankings. It seems like that is starting to be the weekly tradition. What it really means is this season is up for grabs for about 5 teams in the league. The Brahmas are still the weakest link. The Showboats winning streak ends at 1.
Did someone say the Houston Roughnecks have suddenly won three straight games? Pinch me or slug me over the side of my melon because I must be dreaming. The Renegades get popped and take their roller coaster car down the slope this week. The Panthers knock the Defenders off the top of the heap of our weekly power rankings. The DC fans didn’t even buy me any beer for putting them on top of the power rankings twice this year. Let’s rearrange the furniture and roll out the musty red carpet as another installment of the UFL Power Rankings has arrived just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. Let’s do it!!!
#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-6)
XFL CONFERENCE: San Antonio has just purchased a lease to stay at the bottom of UFL Power Rankings. The Brahmas look like they are not going anywhere this season as they are in the same spot from last week.
The Brahmas unleashed their newest quarterback, Kevin Hogan, who has played 9 games in the NFL including a start for the Browns. Hogan in the NFL was 0-1 as a starter. He completed 59.4% of his passes for 621 passing yards with 4 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions. He played three seasons in the NFL, two with Cleveland & one with Tennessee. At 32 years of age, could he inject some kind of spark to this offense? Could Hogan beat the USFL conference version of the Evil Empire on May the 4th Day?
This is spring football so the UFL will get the “Schwartz be with you,” in Space Balls instead of the “force be with you,” in Star Wars. Hogan and the Brahmas played like the Schwartz. Hogan’s was not “no hero” in his first start for San Antonio. He completed 17-26 for 179 yards which seems good. No touchdown passes because the Brahmas only mustered up one field goal. Yes, back-to-back weeks with one field goal for San Antonio. Hogan turned over the ball twice by fumbling the ball on one play. He threw a interception as well. He was sacked three times. The Brahmas had no running game. The Brahmas were 0-10 on third down which is the stat of the day. The Brahmas offense did worse than last week with 178 total yards on offense. Last week was pathetic and they had 189 yards total offense. The good news is whoever Justin Smith is for the Brahmas. He is a wide receiver and he had 5 catches for 108 receiving yards.
#7.MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-5)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Showboats still floating at the same spot from last week.
The Showboats were very close to winning two games in a row as they fell short to the Roughnecks by one stinking point in 21-20 loss. If only the Showboats found the talent they had in Dresser Winn earlier in the season. Winn making his second start in the UFL was brilliant once again passing for 207 yards with two touchdown passes. Winn won his first start of the season in week 5 versus the Stallions. The Showboats added some juice to their running game.
Memphis inked a spring veteran running back, Wes the “Hills have eyes.” Wes Hills led the USFL in rushing yards back in 2023 when he played for the New Orleans Breakers as he galloped up for 680 yards that year.
Last year he played for the Michigan Panthers and split the load in the back field. For the Panthers, Hills gained 277 yards on the ground with 5 touchdowns. In week 8 of last year, he had a torn quad tendon that ended his season. In his first action of the year with his new team, he had 13 carries for 47 yards. He is a bruising style back with some speed that can find the end zone regularly. The Showboats out-gained the Roughnecks last week 287-209 in total offense. Take away the Roughnecks fumble recovery for a touchdown & we are talking about a two game win streak for the Showboats.
#6.HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (3-3)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Roughnecks are sizzling right now. They have been beating the bottom feeders of the UFL is my reasoning for why they are still hovering in the same spot from last week.
The Houston Roughnecks are in the thick of things for the post-season as they have won three straight games. You can only beat the teams that are on your schedule as they started this 3 game winning streak versus the Showboats. Then they beat the Brahmas & once again they just got by the Showboats last week for their 3rd straight victory as the schedule will get tougher down the stretch for this Houston team. Even being out-gained last week by the Showboats, you have to give the Roughnecks defense the credit they deserve all year keeping this team in games.
The Roughnecks forced two turnovers in the second half. One of them was a forced fumble that was scooped up by defensive end TJ Franklin for a touchdown. Franklin also had a tackle for loss of yardage in the game. The Roughnecks also got a interception. Jalen McClendon has been the answer to Head Coach Curtis Johnson’s prayers. The Roughnecks struggled with the hot garbage they had in the beginning of the season behind center. McClendon is getting the job done. No turnovers. He completed 20-28 passes for 149 yards which included a touchdown pass to Justin Hall the Roughnecks best receiver. Like to see what this team can do against the Stallions this weekend and maybe we will find out if they are contenders or pretenders.
#5.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-3)
XFL CONFERENCE: The Batmobile lost its wheel and the Joker got away as the Renegades laid another egg. They dropped one spot from last week.
Do you remember the old football movie, Lucas? Nerdy kid makes the football team as we all know how that ends in Hollywood. Magical, probably a Walt Disney flick. The Renegades’ Lucas was the lead scorer for Arlington last weekend.
You never want your kicker being the lead score as the Renegades’ Lucas Havrisik was last weekend as he nailed two field goals in the 4th quarter. Why kicking field goals in the 4th quarter? Because Arlington was shut out in the first three quarters by the BattleHawks. The Renegades defense kept the team in the game only allowing 12 points. Arlington’s offense once again lays a clunker down as they have lost two straight games. The Renegades turned over the ball 4 times. The Renegades starting QB had 3 turnovers by himself. Luis Perez fumbled the ball twice and threw a game ending interception as the BattleHawks split the two game season series. The Renegades fumbled the ball three times as a team. It’s been a roller coaster season for this team that had a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. Can they figure it out before it’s too late?
#4. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (4-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: Stallions turn things around after the loss to Showboats in week 5. They sink their teeth into Brahmas meat and move up 1 spot from last week.
Brahmas meat has to be slim pickings these days in the UFL. The Stallions really needed a rebound after they suffered a loss to Memphis. The Stallions defense looked like the ’85 Chicago Bears just giving up a lone field goal. On offense, the Stallions put 26 points in a beat-down over the worst team in the league. Case Cookus looked like the guy from the second half in last week’s game as he avoids the dreaded rusty start he had versus Memphis last week. Cookus completed 16-23 for 166 yards with two touchdown passes. One of them went to the Stallions tight end, Jace Strernberger, who has been quiet most of the year. With Matt Corral expected to miss more time, it did not stop Skip Holtz going back to his dueling quarterbacks system.
The Stallions gave the former Jets QB a try in Andrew Peasley. Peasley played his college ball at Wyoming University and before that, Utah State University. He signed with the Jets as a undrafted free agent. He never played a snap in the NFL. Peasley is only 25 years old and has seen some action versus the Brahmas. He finished the day completing 5-8 passes for 79 yards. Skip Holtz working on his plan D as Cookus is his plan C and third QB this season to start a game for the Stallions. Cookus is now 1-1 as the starter so far for the Stallions this season. The Brahmas are like that rebound quickie girl you land after a long break up. They serve their purpose for the Stallions who are still on top of the USFL conference standings.
#3. DC DEFENDERS (4-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: Knock off the top of the power rankings for the second time this season. I have them dropping to number three after being blowing out by the Panthers last week which was two spots.
The Defenders you can say have the one of the best offenses in the game. Jordan Ta’amu’s numbers were 259 passing yards with two touchdown passes. No interceptions. With those numbers, how do you lose 38-14 to anybody? First he completed 19-36 passes which is a 52% completion rate for the game. The Defenders are not a well-balanced offense. They really do not run the ball well which this team basically has to pass the ball.
Chris Rowland is one of the best kick returners in the UFL. He also is one of Ta’amu’s main weapons in the aerial attack as he had 9 catches for 144 yards in the loss to Michigan. The Panthers are a good defensive team which can take away weapons for the Defenders. The Defenders defense likes to attack the QB and needs turnovers to be successful. If your team can defend the blitz, get the ball out quick, and play a clean game – you will score points against the Defenders. I feel Ta’amu is that perfect Fantasy Football QB to get you the points you need when the team is winning or losing, and last week I’m sure he had big plays in garbage time. They are winning, but to me they need everything to work to win games. They do not cash in on extra points as well. They can move the ball up and down the field and lead the league with the biggest plays. You prevent the big play, & any team can beat them.
#2. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (4-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Panthers may have the league’s MVP on their roster as they climb up one rung of the ladder of the power rankings from last we checked on them. Which was last week.
The Panthers throttled the Defenders at their place last weekend. They gave the Defenders a 38-14 beat down. Bryce Perkins is playing on a entire different level than any QB in the league right now. Perkins on the ground has 9 rushes for 76 yards with a touchdown. He completed 13-18 passes for 188 yards and two touchdown passes. He spread the ball out to 6 different receivers. His two-headed monster at running back each had a rushing touchdown.
Frank Ginda led the Panthers defense with 11 tackles. Seven of the tackles were solo jobs. One of his tackles was for a loss of yardage. They held the Defenders to 75 yards on the ground while the Panthers had 213 yards on the ground. The Panthers defense held one of the best offenses in the league to 14 points. They needed a rebound win after losing to the BattleHawks in week 5 as they blew a 4th quarter lead in that contest. Both sides of the ball played well including special teams as they are still on the Stallions hoofs who have the tie breaker in the conference head to head having the same records after 6 weeks.
#1.ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (4-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: The BattleHawks moved back to the number one spot of the power rankings for the second time this season. They moved up one spot to be perched on top once again.
The BattleHawks have figured out ways to win without their starting QB Manny Wilkens who they lost a few weeks ago for the season. Max Duggan, QB 2, played well in week 5 against a solid Michigan Panthers defense in his first start. When Duggan first filled in for the injured Wilkens, it looked like the BattleHawks season was on the brink. Last week versus the Renegades, Duggan completed only 36.8% of his passes. He went 7-19 in passing for 93 passing yards which is not a good day at the office. Duggan had no interceptions and one touchdown pass. He also ran for 49 yards using his legs. The BattleHawks have one of the best running backs in the game in Jacob Saylors, who leads the league in rushing yards with 312. The Renegades are another team that can defend well. When the offense is only scoring 12 points for you, your defense has to play lights out and that’s what they did versus Arlington who has one of the best QB’s in the league in Luis Perez. The BattleHawks defense mugged him like he was an old lady with a walker carrying a purse full of cash. The BattleHawks were able to get 4 turnovers and 3 off Perez. Two fumbles and an interception to put the game on ice. The BattleHawks defense forced three fumbles all together. They held the Renegades scoreless after the first 3 quarters. The BattleHawks defense gave up 2 field goals in the 4th quarter to win the game 12-6.
The BattleHawks linebacker, Pita Taumoepenu, is no cracker. He had 5 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles versus the Renegades. His defensive unit came up huge in that game. A conference win is always big as St.Louis splits the season series with Arlington. At the same time, the win moves the Renegades down a peg in the standings.
In round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I predicted 6 out of the 8 game series right. I went 6-2 in straight up winners. I did not do well in predicting the right amount of games of my winners winning the series. In the first round I went 1-7 in that category. I will once again throw my two cents into the ring and throw in my hopeful savvy predictions for round two. We have two series in each conference left. I have predicted each series once again with a winner and by the games it will take them to win and move on to the semi-finals. Some of these series could go wither way. That’s why the Stanley Cup playoffs are one of the best post-seasons in sports so we may be surprised if my picks go well or go wonky. I lean on the side of wonky but am still optimistic about my winners. This is why we play the games to see if I end up with egg on my face.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
CAROLINA HURRICANES VERSUS WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Season series: (2-2) Playoff history: Carolina (1-0) 1 series
First round results: Washington eliminated Montreal in 5 games. Carolina eliminated New Jersey in 5 games.
The Capitals and Hurricanes feature two goalies with the highest save percentage left in the tournament. Both goalies were injured in the first round. The Hurricanes’ net minder, Frederik Anderson, is expected to play in this series. Logan Thompson for the Capitals returned in the same game he was injured. Thompson is locked in.
Do the Hurricanes have the recipe to defeat the Capitals with constantly pressure and puck possession? Head Coach of the Hurricanes, Rod Brind Amour, has a system focus on possession on the puck. The Capitals remain one of the top seeds left in the NHL playoffs and will have the home ice. Why do the experts doubt the Capitals getting by the Hurricanes? When the Hurricanes seem the favorite in a series they fold like cheap card table.
The Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov scored 5 goals in the first series versus the Devils. He is tied with the most tallies in the Stanley Cup playoffs so far of the players that teams have survived. This should be a series that goes the distance. I feel it’s the Capitals’ time right now as Alex Ovechkin broke Wayne Getzky’s record. He is due to heat up at any time. The Capital have many games where they dominate with the most shots as a team. I think Thompson will stay hot in the next that will decide this series.
OUR PREDICTION: CAPITALS IN 7 GAMES
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VS FLORIDA PANTHERS
Season series: (3-1) favoring Florida. Playoff history: Florida (1-0) 1 series
Round 1 results: Toronto eliminated Ottawa in 6 games, Florida eliminated Tampa Bay in 5 games.
I did not think the champs were going to hold off the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers proved me wrong. Matthew Tkachuk, back for the Panthers and playing well in the first round, was the X factor for the defending champs defending their title from last season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs avoided the one and done this go around in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The award is a Panthers team that won it all last year and are another demon in the minds of these Maple Leafs. Yes two years ago the Panthers and Maple Leafs met up in the 2nd round as the Panthers put away Toronto 4 games to 1. The Maple Leafs are a better team than two seasons ago and should provide their fan base a better showing versus the Panthers this round. The Maple Leafs with their net minder Anthony Stolarz could hang with the Panthers. He will need to get red hot to give the Maple Leafs any chance to prevail in this series. The Panthers will throw bodies at Stolarz in front of the net to cause confusion and make sure he has plenty of blind spots. The depth of the Panthers helps as this roster is geared up for another long run. The experience goes the Panthers’ way as well. I believe the Lightning flipped the Panthers’ playoff switch as this team in dialed in for a repeat.
OUR PREDICTION: PANTHERS IN SIX GAMES
WESTERN CONFERENCE
DALLAS STARS VS WINNIPEG JETS
Season series: (3-1) favoring Winnipeg. No playoff history.
Round 1 results: Dallas eliminated Colorado in 7 games. Winnipeg eliminated St. Louis in 7 games.
The Stars and the Jets took their first round series to the brink and prevailed in their game sevens to get here. The Stars beat a solid Colorado team who many thought would be a Stanley Cup contender. The Stars did it without guys like Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson. The Jets goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, can finally say he slayed his dragon playoff nightmares winning that game 7. The Jets had to fight and claw their way back in that game with a comeback in game 7. Connor was a brick wall in the two overtimes. Is that enough to believe he and his Jets can use that game 7 to take down this Stars team?
The Stars and the Avalanche – many said the winner gets to the Stanley Cup championship. The Stars stayed poised not rushing their studs back into the stables. Now they will get those two guys back for this second round series. Mikko Rantanen was huge for the Stars in the first round against his former team, the Avalanche. The Jets meanwhile have injuries to Mark Scheirele and Josh Morrissey who could play but will not be 100%. The Stars will give Hellebuyck a new playoff nightmare after this series as he and the Jets will not be able to stop this deep Stars team.
OUR PREDICTION: STARS IN 5 GAMES
EDMONTON OILERS VS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Season series: Even (2-2) Playoff history: Vegas (1-0) 1 series
Round 1 results: Edmonton eliminated LA in 6 games. Vegas eliminated Minnesota in 6 games.
The Edmonton Oilers looked like they were going to be knocked out of the playoffs quickly by the LA Kings who put a beat down on goalie Stuart Skinner. The Vegas Golden Knights were also being battle tested early on in their series versus the Wild. Both teams made adjustments. The Oilers went with Calvin Pickard who saved this Edmonton team in the net. Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy made a line change putting Jack Eichel and William Karlsson on the same line which worked well as the Golden Knights then buried the animals in the dessert. The Oilers team was carried by their two superstars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. You want your superstars to do the heavy lifting but not everything. It seems like the rest of the team was MIA.
The Oilers will need other members of their team to contribute in round two. The Golden Kights have the golden hair, Thor, the man that can contain Connor McDavid and that is William Karlsson, who has had the best of the Oilers lead scorer. The Oilers have missed the absence of Mattias Ekholm, a guy that can make this Oilers squad a well-oiled machine. The Oilers don’t have enough Roughnecks to keep up with this Vegas squad through a 7 game series. Can you bet against McDavid and Draisaitl? I can count on Calvin Pickard to save the series in the net so I have to go Vegas.
We are through with half of the second UFL season and I bet we are all confused. Is it a bird, a plane, a stallion, Renegade? I really don’t thing we have that super Stallions team right now. The best team in the league in the first half are the Defenders. The Stallions are falling. The BattleHawks are soaring again. The Showboats season has not sunk yet. The power rankings once again are a mess. We have another team on top of the power rankings making their second appearance as king of the mountain. We have a new bottom dweller. Are the Roughnecks making a run? We will try to sort it out as we kickoff the second half of the UFL with week six power rankings coming at you in plane bird style, that is not super. Enjoy the bottom dwellers to the top in our newest power rankings segment.
#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-4)
XFL CONFERENCE: It did not take long for the Brahmas to fall back to the bottom of the UFL power rankings. The Brahmas are back in their comfort zone and fell two spots from last week.
ANOTHER ALAMO SLAUGHTER
Another slaughtering at the Alamo has occurred. This time it was the hometown Brahmas being trampled on by the Roughnecks at the Alamo dome. How do you beat the best team in the league one week and follow that up with a clunker to one of the worst teams in the UFL, Houston? They should load up the entire herd of Brahmas and send them packing to the slaughterhouse for mustering a total of 189 yards of offense that equaled to 3 points. The Roughnecks put a beat down on the Brahmas, 27-3, in an embarrassment in front of the San Antonio faithful bringing back old memories of the bad Gunslingers teams the city witnessed in the original USFL.
The Brahmas played their best game in week 4 defeating the undefeated Defenders and doing it through all three phases of their football team. Last week then they averaged 2.8 yards per play. Made it to the red zone twice the entire game. The defense was terrible. The quarterback play was horrific. The Brahmas still trot out Kellen Mond behind center like he has turned the corner. Which his stats tell a different story completing 4-9 passes for 35 passing yards. The Brahmas even gave the X Roughneck QB a try. Jarrett Guarantano was about the same as Mond completing 6-15 passes for 29 yards. Both QB’s threw an interception. I’m confused how this team beat the Defenders. The fix was in.
#7.MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-4)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
The Showboats’ entire season was sinking as they were the last team to finally put a W in the win column. It happened on Friday night lights as the Showboats took down the Stallions. Many are saying the Showboats used an illegal banned substance called flex seal.
Maybe the head coach of the Showboats, Jim Turner, read my power rankings segment as I mentioned they needed to try anyone else at QB.
The Showboats gave Dresser Winn his first UFL start of his career and all’s he does is win. Who is Dresser Winn? Winn played his college ball at UT Martin wherever the hell that is. He also played up north in the CFL (Canadian Football League) for the Edmonton Elks. He has been in the Rams camps as well. He’s 26 years old and he lit up the Stallions defense who are very solid this season. Dresser connected with his favorite target in this one, Dee Anderson, on a 78 yard deep ball for a score. The Stallions tied this game up and sent it to overtime. Anderson caught the clincher 2 point conversion in the OT face off rules of the UFL, the best out of three times at the 2 yard line. The Showboats scored also on a missed kick by the Stallions trying to connect on a long field goal. Isiah Hennie caught the ball in the end zone and ran it all the way back for a touchdown which a 108 yard play. With Dresser behind center, the Showboats receivers finally got the ball. Winn finished his master UFL debut completing 17-29 passes for 235 passing yards. Can Winn guide these Showboats to the post-season with a second half run?
#6. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (2-3)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
The Roughnecks notched their second win of the 2025 season. Houston has doubled their win total from the 2024 season. The Roughnecks shut down the Brahmas stampede and momentum San Antonio had after beating the hot DC Defenders squad in week 4. The Roughnecks defense has kept this team in games with the shaky quarterback situation all year around. They held the San Antonio herd to a 118 total yards last Sunday. The Roughnecks defense allowed only 3 points a field goal.
Marvin Moody leads this Roughnecks defense in tackles as he had 5 last Sunday which was tied for the team high. Rayshad Williams collected his second interception of the year off the Brahmas’ bad quarterback play. The Roughnecks had two interceptions in the game. The Roughnecks QB situation has improved as they inserted spring veteran Jalan McClendon behind center and he made his first start of the year and gets the win. McClendon showed last week that he is the best available that Houston has in moving this offense up and down the field. The Roughnecks running backs scored two rushing touchdowns in this one which was enough as Houston scored a season high of 27 points on a decent San Antonio defense. Suddenly Houston looking like they can make a run at a post-season spot as they are approaching the rear view mirrors of the Panthers and Stallions who both lost last week.
#5. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (3-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Stallions are not galloping free and far ahead of the competition as they dropped one spot from last week in the power rankings.
I don’t think I ever had Skip Holtz’s Stallions in the bottom 4 of the spring power rankings. Here they are at number 5 after losing to the Memphis Showboats in overtime. The same Showboats who notched their first win on Stallion meat. With Matt Corral still injured. The Stallions former MVP Alex McGough is still on the IR with no timetable of returning. The Stallions turned to their 3rd starting QB of the season with spring veteran Case Cookus.
Case Cookus made his first start of the year against his former team, the Showboats. Cookus was originally with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL as he guided them to the first championship of the reboot. The Stars played the Stallions in that title game as Cookus’ team had the lead until he got hurt. You know what happened after that. Cookus first start started out of the gates very slow. The Stallions defense was not crisp like they normally have been. Cookus is a gunslinger and will need to adjust his game to Skip Holtz’s offense. He completed 15-33 passes for 145 yards as he had two touchdowns and one interception. He threw a nice deep ball to his tight end Jordan Thomas for a touchdown strike. Cookus even had 83 yards on the ground which is not like him as he is a pocket passer. The Stallions made a comeback but lost in overtime. Maybe it took a half for Cookus to knock off the rust.
The Stallions brought their first championship quarterback out of retirement this week. J’mar Smith will be the emergency QB if called upon.
#4. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week
The XFL conference has three teams that look like they have a shot at the UFL second season title. The Renegades are one of them. Despite the 3-2 record, this team is not consistent this season. One week they look like they are the best team in the league and solid on all fronts. Then they lay a clunker as one of their units will fail them. The Renegades were up by 11 points on the DC Defenders in the 4th quarter. The Renegades have a true star on both sides of the ball that stand out. Donald Payne on the Renegades defense was having a solid game.
He had a sack, forced fumble, and 4 tackles. Payne in crunch time in closer mode did not shine as the Defenders tied the game. You want Payne to be that pain in the arse to close out the other team. Then on offense the Renegades have one of the best QB’s in the league in Luis Perez. Which is a big reason why this team should be in the post-season. It’s a league without much QB talent. Perez had another big day at the office – one touchdown pass which was a 63 yard strike to Deontay Burnett. He had 268 passing yards. Yet in crunch time he serves up the interception when things are knotted late. Perez has led this Renegades team to an XFL championship a few seasons ago. He can get the job done. This Renegades team has a definite pattern they need to break out of.
#3.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (3-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Panthers fall two spots from last week after being perched on top of the power rankings coming into week 5.
The Panthers imploded late in a game versus the BattleHawks. The Panthers were up by 14 points in St.Louis. The BattleHawks second string QB made the start in this one. Max Duggan did not play well in week 4 versus the Renegades. The good signs to the Panthers success and future of this team this season is the play at their QB position. Bryce Perkins is playing at a high level this seasons. Another 235 passing yards through the air. Two more touchdown passes.
The two-headed monster at the running back position could be a scary thing late in games wearing out opposing defenses. Toa Taua had a pair of rushing touchdowns versus the BattleHawks. He had 74 yards on the ground. Now he has 139 rushing yards for the season with 3 rushing touchdowns. I do like the Panthers defense. They crumbled letting Max Duggan escape the pocket and using his legs to gain chunks of yardage. The Panthers look and feel like the best team in the USFL conference. They have to get over their hiccups versus the Stallions though. They will be in the thick of things in the second half.
#2. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (3-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up 3 spots from last week
The BattleHawks looked like road kill after losing Manny Wilkins to a season ending injury last week. The buzzards and vultures of the UFL were circling. The BattleHawks would soar once again with the horn frog behind center. Max Duggan’s redemption in front of the home crowd gives St.Louis fans hope for the post-season. Duggan was a complete disaster filling in for Wilkins. Duggan completed 9-12 passes for 124 passing yards with a touchdown pass. Then with his legs, he had two touchdowns on 10 carries for 70 yards. The BattleHawks trailed by 14 points in the second half.
Do you remember Hakeem Butler? He has missed some games with an injury. The big, tall, and lanky St.Louis receiver was targeted by not one but two BattleHawks quarterbacks. Butler had two catches for 124 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches. One from Duggan. Then the game winner from Blake Jackson who hooked up with Butler for the game winner on a 57 yard strike. St.Louis needs Duggan or if Jackson is the guy to play well, this team has a shot.
#1. DC DEFENDERS (4-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week to be at the top of the power rankings once again.
The Defenders finish the first half of the season with the best record in the league. They did come across a major hiccup in week 4 being knocked off their perch by a bad Brahmas team for their first loss of the year. This Defenders team lost their head coach before the first week. He bolted to the college game along with their defensive coordinator following him out the door. Things looked bad last week when they were down to the Renegades looking to give DC back to back losses. The Defenders came back from 11 points down and stunned their division rival, Renegades, in a 37-33 comeback win. Jordan Ta’amu had a 300 yard passing game with three touchdown passes. He leads the UFL in both passing yards with 1,213 yards and touchdown passes as he had 9 of them in 5 games. Versus the Renegades he completed 23 passes out of 46 attempts which is a 50% completion percentage which is not very good. For the year, Ta’amu has completed 88 passes out of 177 attempts which gives him a 49.7% completion percentage for the year. I would want my QB with a much higher completion percentage. In spring football it may be okay. This Defenders team seems to be about the right place right time as their free safety Josh Proctor was picking off Luis Perez late in the game with a tie score.
If Jordan Ta’amu is going to complete his passes at the right time of the game as they did versus the Renegades, it will not matter what his completion percentage or interception totals are. This team is living on the edge. The Defenders rushing attack is pretty much their quarterback. They really don’t have a true number one receiver. The defense thrives on getting turnovers. If the Defenders get to that championship game and are not Johnny on the spot, they will most likely lose. If teams face the Defenders and have a clean game, they could beat this team. In spring football there may not be such a thing as a clean game. We will see how long the beer snake has bite in the second half.
Do you remember Deion Sanders’ touchdown celebrations during his NFL days?
Did he call it the prime time shuffle after his nickname? To me it looked like some version of the electric slide. Neon Deion Sanders’ son right now has his own slide that is making the prime time news in the NFL draft coverage. Shedeur Sanders was supposed to be drafted in the top 5 of the 2025 NFL draft. Some experts had Shedeur being the 2nd best QB in the draft. His father Deion, who is the head coach of the University of Colorado, was his son’s college coach. He had a list of teams he did not want his son playing for. During the NFL scouting combine, Shedeur did not throw any passes or do any of the athletic training. He was present as he did several interviews with multiple teams. Some of those interviews were solid & some went very poorly. The Tennessee Titans with the very first pick took Cam Ward out of the University of Miami. The Giants, which was where many thought Shedeur would land, went with a top notch edge rusher in Abdul Carter with the number three pick from Penn State. Many thought when the Giants made the trade with the Texans to get the 25th pick of the first round pick, Sanders’ son would be scooped up. The Giants picked a QB but it was not Shedeur. New York went with Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss. Sanders would slide out of the first round without being picked. Yesterday in rounds 2-3 of the NFL draft, other quarterbacks were picked instead of Shedeur. The former Buffaloe now is on the Chutes and Ladders slide. He’s free falling as three rounds have gone and he is still available. Why?
Shedeur Sanders can throw a nice deep ball. In 4 seasons, 2 at Jackson State and 2 at Colorado. Shedeur has tallied up 14,353 passing yards combined. He has completed 1,267 passes in 1,808 attempts which is good for a 70.1% completion rate which is impressive. He has thrown 134 touchdown passes compared to only 27 interceptions which is remarkable. His arm strength is good, but not great. His short passes are not very good as the balls come out wobbly. He is not a duel threat. He’s a pocket passer that gets sacked a lot. He sounds like a Justin Fields. Fields will run the ball more. In the NFL, teams that were in the need of a QB were the Giants, Saints, Browns, and Steelers. You have some teams that will draft a QB to develop a guy for the future. The Giants went with Jaxson Dart as their guy because their head coach, Brian Daboll, and general manager, Joe Schoen, come from the Buffalo Bills organization. They like Dart because he reminds them of Josh Allen in the way he plays the game. The Saints may be without their starting QB, because Derek Carr’s injury from last year may linger into this season. Some experts said Shedeur would do well playing in New Orleans in a dome. The Saints did pick a QB on Friday and took Tyler Shough at number 40 from Louisville. Let’s remember the Saints drafted Spencer Rattler last year as he got some playing time in his rookie season. They like some of the flashes he has shown. The Browns have Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett who they traded for in this off-season. The Browns want to forget about Deshaun Watson. They drafted a QB yesterday at number 94, Dillon Gabriel from Oregon University. Cleveland does not want to risk another Johnny Manziel and they failed miserably on the Watson trade. The Steelers is a possible landing spot for Sanders. The Steelers re-signed Mason Rudolf and think they are in with Aaron Rodgers. Shedeur could still get picked up by the Steelers in later rounds. Any team could still pick up Shedeur. Five QB’s have been picked up including Seattle who took Jalen Milroe from University of Alabama, number 92. The Seahawks signed veteran Sam Darnold so they will slowly develop Milroe.
You know Deion Sanders had high hopes for his son and still does. You know Prime Time pictured Shedeur getting drafted in the top 5 of the draft and starting for some team right away. Perhaps his performance being like Jayden Daniels with what he did last year for the Commanders getting them into the post-season. Deion would be scarred coming into the draft if people even said Shedeur is suited to being a back up QB in the NFL to start his career off. Being a back up QB most of the times you are the most popular guy if the first string guy is doing bad. I see this entire drama unfolding because if your team does draft Shedeur Sanders, you’re bringing his father Deion along for the ride. Deion reminds me of those fathers when the kids are playing, telling the coach to put his son in. Deion would talk badly about any coach not playing his son through the media. Why would any team want to bring this drama into your locker room? I’m not saying all teams in the NFL should avoid Shedeur. He could be the real deal. If I’m a franchise and I choose to go down this path with the Sanders slide, I would want his son for cheap if I have to deal with the drama they bring to the table. In later rounds, Shedeur might be a guy someone takes a chance on. I would not make him a starter day one. He would have to earn it. I don’t care what Deion would say. If Sanders’ kid was taken in the first round, a team would be paying him, dealing with criticism all the time from his father on coaching him, and he could turn out to be a flop. You are fired. I think he would fit perfectly with the Steelers. First knowing Aaron Rodgers is the guy. We don’t know if he will be the guy for the Steelers. That may hurt Rodgers’ feelings having another QB on the roster. I think Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin could get the best out of Sanders’ son and contain the father. Deion’s next son should participate in the NFL combine and let the cards fall where they lie instead of sabotaging him with certain franchises because you don’t like the city or coaching. Fathers always knows best is not in the Deion handbook.
Welcome to the jungle of the UFL Power Rankings as we have a new beast at the top of the mountain for week 5. The Defenders fall like all the teams I have perched on top of the power rankings this season so far. The Brahmas found a way out of the dungeon of my UFL Power Rankings.
The Brahmas were on life support and now look like world beaters. The UFL is looking very unpredictable this season as I continue to rearrange the furniture in the power rankings. I even rearrange the rusty outdoor furniture as we have a new boat sunk at the bottom of the UFL waters. Let’s see where your team is ranked this week as we unleash week 5’s UFL Power Rankings. Enjoy!!!
#8. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-4)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Showboats sink to the bottom of the UFL waters. They dropped one spot from last week.
The Showboats Interim Head Coach, Jim Turner, will have regrets taking this crap job in Memphis if he quit the following: booze, tobacco, drugs and anything else to help you forget you have two crappy quarterbacks. On Friday night Memphis only scores 9 points. They are now the only team in the UFL without a win. The Showboats were awful last year, but they seem better than this team this season. Many of the same guys have filled out this roster the last two seasons.
They have talent at the wide receiver position with Jonathan Adams and Kwamie Lassiter II. These are two receivers that any team in the league would like to have. The Showboats have been using the same two quarterbacks every game hoping & praying one will have a solid game. EJ Perry completed 8-16 passes for 74 yards with 1 touchdown pass. Give Perry credit, he led the team in rushing yards with 30. Deneric Prince scored the only Showboats touchdown of the week which was a 3 yard run. Then Troy Williams went 4-8 for 13 yards and was sacked twice. The Showboats’ dueling banjos combined to complete 12 passes out of 24 attempts for 87 yards. That’s a 50% completion rate and under 100 passing yards. PATHETIC!! Who’s the 3rd spring QB? There has to be a better option on the waiver wire than trot these two Shemps out there game after game. The BattleHawks just signed spring veteran QB Brandon Silvers. What’s AJ McCarron doing? The Love boat theme has turned the tide with this ship wreck. The local fan base the Yacht club of Memphis has even changed the channel on this team. Screw Elvis they going to Nashville to listen to country and see if the Titans can show them what a solid QB looks like as they will be selecting number 1 in the NFL draft.
#7.HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (1-3)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week.
The Roughnecks have just the one victory so far this season. That is not saying much because they beat the Showboats who have not put on any kind of show on the field in a good way. This Houston team has been battling. They have a solid defense that keeps them in games like last weekend versus the Stallions. On offense they have a slew of talented receivers but no one that can get them the ball on a regular basis. They benched Anthony Brown, the Roughnecks opening day starter. They gave the start to Nolan Henderson who has provided this Roughnecks team with a tiny spark here and there.
Henderson would fall victim to the blue tent with an injury. On comes the 3rd string QB who’s a veteran of spring football, Jalan McClendon.
McClendon, the former Vegas Viper, is back in the XFL league. He played for the LA Wild Cats in the XFL reboot in 2020. Last year he held the clipboard for the Defenders. He comes in and passes for 236 passing yards, which it would take Brown and Henderson weeks combined to get to that total. McClandon had a rushing touchdown as he threw a interception in a late rallying drive. He got the ball to those play makers which was the biggest take in this week in Roughneck football. If you are the coaching staff of Houston, how do you not see who is the better quarterback this entire time? Maybe the Roughnecks found their savior. I doubt it, but they will be better with McClendon.
#6.SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-3)
XFL CONFERENCE: The Brahmas shed their Llama-like play the last three weeks and move up two spots from last week to get out of UFL purgatory.
THE NEW GUY
The San Antonio Brahmas, if you remember, made it all the way to the first UFL title game last year and came out with a loss to the Stallions. This season the Brahmas started off 0-3 and didn’t look good in any of the phases of their game. Wade Phillips did not see eye to eye with the play calling of his offensive coordinator, AJ Smith. Smith then decided to resign. Then Wade Phillips suddenly had to take a leave of absence for personal reasons. Quietly moving up the ranks in all this nonsense is Payton Pardee, who has football coaching blood in his family. He was promoted from receivers’ coach to calling plays on offense. Then he was promoted again as Interim Head Coach of the Brahmas. His first challenge of the season was the undefeated DC Defenders at their place. Did I mention Payton became the youngest head coach in football history at 28 years old? Which results in the Brahmas getting their first win and knocking off the last unbeaten team in the UFL.
Payton Pardee played college football at Houston from 2015-18. He then went into coaching as he took the wide receiver’s job at Texas A&M Commerce. In 2023 he landed his first pro job with the Houston Roughnecks as a receivers’ coach. The Pardee family has Texas and spring football in their blood line. Payton’s grandfather Jack played in the NFL for 16 seasons. Then he went into coaching after his playing days came to an end. In the 1980’s he was head coach of Houston Gamblers of the USFL. He had Jim Kelly as his starting QB back then. He also coached the Houston Cougars. In the NFL he also coached for the Bears, Redskins, and the old Tennessee Titans before they moved to Nashville. The Houston Oilers. Jack Pardee was a pretty good head coach. His grandson Payton is off to a solid start with an upset win and probably just turned the Brahmas season around. Stay tuned.
#5.ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (2-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: The BattleHawks season may have fallen and may not be able to get back up. St.Louis tumbles down three spots from last week.
The BattleHawks took a major blow early in the game versus the Renegades last weekend when their QB went down on a non-contact injury. Manny Wilkins was carted off the field in the very first offensive series for St.Louis. He will be out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Wilkins wasn’t the best QB in the UFL, but he is better than most of the hot garbage this league has behind center. Wilkins in 4 games this season had tallied up 498 passing yards with one touchdown pass. He did have three interceptions. He was a duel threat QB who tallied up 135 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns for the BattleHawks.
Now the QB for St.Louis belongs to the former Frogman of TCU, Max Duggan. If you remember, Duggan led the TCU Horney toads to the National Championship in 2022 to then get their brains beat in by Georgia. Duggan did not do well coming off the bench for Wilkins. He had two interceptions. He completed 8 passes out 17 attempts for 78 yards. The BattleHawks have a solid defense. They have a solid rushing attack. They have talented receivers. They have the number 1 fan base in the UFL. It’s up to Duggan now as he has the keys to the St.Louis car. Can he save the season? Will the BattleHawks season turn into a complete wreck? Is AJ McCarron’s number on speed dial? That is the million dollar question.
#4. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (3-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: I have the Stallions in the stable still at the number 4 spot. They were in the same stable last week as well.
The Stallions did win their 3rd straight game after opening up the season with a loss to the Defenders. It was a struggle for Birmingham to get by the Houston Roughnecks. The Stallions defense has been top notch all season long which has saved this team all season long. Last week the Roughnecks inserted their 3rd string QB, Jalen McClendon, who is a veteran of spring football. He carved up the Stallions D. Matt Corral had a better game behind center as he had two touchdown passes to only 1 interception. You would like to see Corral complete more passes as he finished the night 14-25 for 195 yards.
Davion Davis hauled in a big receiving touchdown for the Stallions as he had 2 catches for 62 yards and the score for the night. Corral would leave the game with an injury which could be a bad thing or good. The former Philadelphia Stars QB of the USFL, Case Cookus, saw some action as he completed 1-2 passes for 36 yards. Cookus is a gunslinger type QB who could be streaky in good, bad, and ugly ways behind center. In the end it was Jo Jo Tillery who save the day for the Stallions getting the key interception to put this W in the win column. How long will this Stallions defense keep bailing these guys out?
#3. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Renegades moved up two spots from last week.
Yes, Bob Stoops’ team is 3-1 right now as they looked impressive in two weeks of the season so far. Good teams find ways to win games ugly. Last week, the Renegades may have gotten a gift from St.Louis who lost their starting QB in the first series of the game. The Arlington defense took advantage of the BattleHawks back up QB, Max Duggan, who they picked off twice.
Ajene Harris had a monster day on defense for the Renegades which started with a gift fumble by BattleHawks QB Manny Wilkens, who fumbled the ball on a non-contact play. Harris picked it and took it to the house to get the Renegades the early lead. Harris had one of the two interceptions for the Renegade defense. He also had 8 tackles and two passes defended. The Renegades offense looked better than the last two weeks putting up low numbers. Luis Perez, one of the best QB’s in the league, kept the BattleHawks in the game with his pick six to the St.Louis defense. Eventually Arlington put it all together, put up 30 points on St.Louis, and got the win. In the first week of the season, the Renegades put up over 30 points which was the most by any team. The Renegades had three games in those bookends of 30 point performances, where they were held in the teens. Something to keep an eye out for in their Jekyll and Hyde Renegades offense.
#2. DC DEFENDERS (3-1)
XFL Conference: The Defenders beer snake did not have the bite last week as they slither down one spot from last week.
No way the Defenders were going to run the table with a perfect season. I did not see them losing to the Brahmas last weekend, who’s coaching staff has been in turmoil the last few weeks. You can say the Defenders have been through the same thing and won three straight games to start the season with coaches leaving and promoting within. The Defenders offense was not the problem even though they only put 18 points on the board. The DC offense out-gained the Brahmas in total yards 409-219. The Brahmas scored 24 points. Jordan Ta’amu had a great game behind center completing 19-31-299 passing yards. He had one touchdown pass & no interceptions. He also led the Defenders in rushing yards with 74 and used his legs to score two rushing touchdowns.
Jordan Ta’amu leads the UFL in passing yards after 4 games this season with 905. He also leads the league with 6 touchdown passes. The Defenders have problems converting the extra points after the touchdowns. The Defenders also settle for more field goals in the red zone than getting the six points with the touchdowns. The Defenders can move the ball up and down the field without any problems. The Defenders have played solid defense the entire season. If you take away the Brahmas’ punt return touchdown allowed by Defenders special teams last Sunday, is it a different outcome? You like the Defenders to win at home with the beer snake as the 12th man slithering.
#1.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (3-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Panthers have moved up to the deluxe apartments in the sky. They are my new number 1 team in the power rankings moving up 2 spots.
If the Panthers QB, Bryce Perkins, can play like he did last week, Michigan is going places. Perkins completed 15-22 passes for an even 200 yards and threw two touchdown passes. The Panthers scored the most points last week. The Panthers defense is one of the best in the league and playing without their big daddy. Breeland Speaks, who was the UFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, has missed the last few games with an injury.
Speaks’ return is unknown at this time. If the Panthers could get him back this season, they could make a run at the title. Speaks had 9.5 sacks last year in regular season as he is a monster chasing QB’s down. I like Mike Nolan using a ground attack to beat his opponents and wear them out. Obviously Perkins is a duel threat QB. You want him to run only when needed as he’s starting to hit on all of his passes. The Panther running back Nate McCrary should be mentioned more. He had 60 yards on the ground with one touchdown. The Panthers have a two headed monster at the running back position brewing. Toa Taura had 10 carries for 53 rushing yards with a touchdown. Michigan is hitting their stride as Birmingham should be put on notice.
The NHL playoffs are one of the better post-seasons to watch in all of sports. The first round of the 2025 Stanley cup playoffs has some epic match ups on the docket. Unfortunately I do not have a pony in the race as my team has been at the bottom of the barrel in the NHL for years, and there’s no sign of any day light anytime soon.
Maybe I’m in need of adopting a new team in the 2025 playoffs without being one of those bandwagon jumpers. Some solid choices to root for. Everyone has teams or cities you dislike as I do too. Without prejudging any team or city that made the playoff tournament. I threw my hat into the ring and executed a winner out of each series by looking at all the data and going with gut feelings. I am not guaranteeing any epic outcomes in my picks. I may be off my rocker. I may be dead on with my predictions. My gut tells me I’ll end up Even-Steven somehow. We will see as I can’t be the only one to throw darts at each match up and come out smelling like roses. Here we go round one, let the games begin of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
ST. LOUIS BLUES VS WINNIPEG JETS
This series should be a low scoring affair between these two teams. It’s the Jets’ second straight season where they have won over 50 games. For the Blues they won 13-16 games to close the season out. You could say for St. Louis they have been one of the hotter teams in the last 3 months because they play solid defense. Meanwhile the Jets as a team have lit the lamp during regular season 273 times which is tied for 4th in the league. The Jets’ top scorers are Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele who have combined for 79 goals this season.
Can the Blues goalie, Jordan Binnington, relive the magic years back when he got hot and St. Louis went all the way to capture the Stanley Cup? Binnington played a big part in the net for Canada in the Frozen Four tournament this past February. The Jets have one of the best net minders in the league in Connor Hellebuyck. Can the Blues do what the Avalanche did to Hellebuyck last post-season & make him look average?
Hellebuyck suited up for the United States in that face off Frozen Four tournament. I think it’s Connor time here. Jets avenge last year’s post season nightmare and dispatch the Blues who lack true fire power in this match up.
OUR PICK: JETS IN SIX GAMES
DALLAS STARS VERSUS COLORADO AVALANCHE
The Stars vs Avalanche is one of the biggest match ups in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Both teams are Stanley Cup contenders as one of them will be going home after the first round. The Stars have been consistent all year round. The Stars have 8 snipers who can put the puck in the net. Eight guys with 20 or more goals. The Avalanche tinkered with their roster and made some nice solid moves. This may be a better Avalanche roster than they had when they won the Cup in 2022. If this series goes the distance, game seven favors Dallas. About their Head Coach, Pete DeBoer, his teams are 8-0 in series deciders which is game 7’s.
Dallas comes into the post-season with a 7 game losing streak which it’s very hard to flip the switch to post-season. The Stars lack defense as they will have to rely on their goal scoring to win this series. The Avalanche superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar will not be held back in this series and will have a field day exploiting the Stars’ weakness in front of the castle.
OUR PREDICTION: AVALANCHE IN SIX GAMES
MINNESOTA WILD VERSUS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Wild have gone through many injuries this season just to get to this point. The Vegas Golden Knights are in familiar grounds, the post-season, where they thrive even though they were just a expansion team not many moons ago. The Wild will have two of their main guys going in this series: Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson E.K. The Wild ranked 26th in the league in scoring which averages out to 2.74 goals per game. The Golden Knights average 3.34 goals per game which is 5th in the league. The good things for the Wild is their goalie, Filip Gustavsson, who could make any playoff series a tough out. The Golden Knights also struggle on the penalty kill which can help the Wild. The Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel had a monster year with 93 points in regular season.
I like the X-San Jose Shark, Tomas Hertl, who is a post- season beast. He’s my X-factor as he has 16 goals & 24 points in 29 post-season games from his days wearing the teal. The Golden Knights have a deeper roster and are more skilled than this Wild squad.
OUR PICK: GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN 5 GAMES
LA KINGS VERSUS EDMONTON OILERS
This is the 4th time in so many years the Oilers and Kings will mix it up in the post-season. The Oilers have won all three series.
Connor McDavid is the top super star of the NHL which will give the Oilers a big advantage in this series. The Kings are no joke in this series. In the last month of regular season, the Kings offense have scored 64 goals which was the most during that time span. The Kings goalie, Darcy Kuemper, is having a great season in his first year in LA. He had 31 regular season wins. What worries me about the Oilers is they will not have their top defenseman. Mattias Ekholm has been ruled out this series. Does LA have an X-factor in X-Oiler Warren Foegele who they can unleash on Edmonton. Foegele had three post-season goals for Edmonton last season. Let’s not forget about Leon.
Leon Draisaitl is another superstar in the NHL who is not talked about enough. The Kings will make this a series. It will go the full tilt. In the end, McDavid and Draisaitl help Edmonton just get by the Kings in the first round.
OUR PICK: OILERS IN SEVEN GAMES
EASTERN CONFERENCE
MONTREAL CANDADIENS VS WASHINGTON CAPITALS
We all are thinking the same thing. Can Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s record and win the Stanley Cup in the same season? In the first round, the Capitals face a rebuilding Montreal team with plenty of youth that can go wild. The Capitals had a monster year this season winning over 50 games. The Canadiens need their net minder to be unstoppable in this series. Can Sam Montembeault have that kind of series?
I can say Logan Thompson for the Capitals could have that epic goalie run in the post-season. Thompson finished with a .910 save percentage and has only allowed 2.49 goals per contest. The focus will be on the Russian. Hiding on the ice somewhere will be Tom Wilson who creates havoc and get under players’ skin. Wilson can put the puck into the net as well as he had 33 goals this season. The Capitals have depth and defense and can score over the inexperience of this Montreal squad.
OUR PICK: CAPITALS IN 5 GAMES
NEW JERSEY DEVILS VERSUS CAROLINA HURRICANES
The Devils’ number one fan is David Puddy from Seinfeld. This series will be very interesting and I can see this one going the distance. The Devils will be without Jack Hughes which can hurt New Jersey’s chances. The Carolina Hurricanes are one of the best 5 on 5 in the league. They also allowed the fewest shots in the league. The Devils are no slouch in their team game. New Jersey has the 3rd ranked power play unit in the league. They also have the second ranked penalty kill. Both teams have solid special teams as the Hurricanes have the top ranked penalty kill in the league. Let’s talk goalies.
The Hurricane’s number goalie is Frederik Andersen who has battled all year through injuries. The Devils allow the 5th fewest goals in the league due to their goalie, Jacob Markstrom. The Devils are not the demon they are without Jack Hughes which has deflated this team. The Hurricanes always seem to get past the first round of these NHL playoffs and I think they continue that tradition and dispatch the Devils which takes game 7 to do so. The Devils will give a good fight, but it all ends in hell for Jersey.
OUR PICK: HURRICANES IN 7 GAMES
OTTAWA SENATORS VERSUS TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
The first question about Toronto: Can they slay their own playoff demons? The Senators have a very nice young core for the Maple Leafs to deal with. It starts with Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson, and Tim Stutzie.
Let’s not forget about the stud Toronto has in Aushon Matthews. The Maple Leafs also have Mitch Marner and Williams Nylander. Toronto has improved their defense this season which could help them get past the first round. The Senators have solid defense and goal tending allowing only 2.80 goals per game. Since the 2004-2005 lock out season, the Maple Leafs have been ousted 8 out of 9 times in the first round. Yikes!!! I think the only way Senators win this series is if the Maple Leafs beat themselves and hand Ottawa the series. This Toronto team is deep, very dangerous, and if they get passed the Senators, they will build up confidence in the second round.
OUR PREDICTION: MAPLE LEAFS IN 5 GAMES
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VERSUS FLORIDA PANTHERS
This is the must watch series of the first round. When it comes to the state of Florida, you think college football rivals. This Florida series has been epic. This is the 4th time in the last 5 years the Lightning and Panthers have met on a date in the Stanley Cup post-season. The Panthers finally slayed the bolts last year and won it all. The Lightning have won back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and ’21. Can the Panthers defend their title run this season or will fatigue play a role in back to back grinding post-season play? The Lightning have been hot while the Panthers finished the season threading water. The Panthers may be without Matthew Tkachuk who was a big part of why this Florida team went all the way last year. The Lightning still have the stopper in goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had the most wins with 37 during the regular season. The Panthers acquired Seth Jones from the Blackhawks during the season. Jones is over paid and will need to find his game he lost years ago to help prevent the Panthers from being derailed early on.
Another X-Blackhawk, Brandon Hagel, had 35 goals this season for Tampa Bay. The Lightning have the fire power as Jack Guentzel’s first year in Tampa Bay he had a 40 goal season. This Lightning team is in the top ten at killing penalties. They are 6th in the fewest goals allowed with an average of 2.40. The Lightning always had the Panthers’ number. Without Tkachuk for the Panthers who is the heart and soul of this team, it will be tough for Florida to overcome. I like the Lightning striking in a long drawn out epic series between these two powerhouses.
We have our third change at top of our spring fling power football rankings. St. Louis finds out how hungry the beer snake of the Defenders really is. In week three we have all kinds of resignations filed as coaches can’t handle their duties in the spring fling.
The Brahmas are still holding down the lower dungeon apartments in the rankings. We have plenty of movement after a wacky week three in the UFL. We will “Iron” it all out for you but it will not be “Clad,” however you will be glad you read it all. Let’s unfold all the dirty laundry we have in week 4 of the UFL Power Rankings.
#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (0-3)
XFL CONFERENCE: Never moved from last week as they are still holding down the fort.
Drama is brewing in Brahma llama land in Texas. Before the Brahmas’ best offensive production of the season occurred, one of San Antonio’s coaches resigned. The offensive coordinator, A.J. Smith, who is a young mind in the game took his ball and went home in a disagreement with Head Coach Wade Phillips about the scheme the Brahmas were running. Without Smith, the Brahmas then had their best game on offense of the season. Scoring 23 points versus a solid Panthers defense while gaining a total of 258 yards on offense, a season high. The Brahmas QB, Kellen Mond, had his best game hitting 19-31 passes for 153 yards including a touchdown pass. Jordan Williams had a monster day on defense with 9 tackles including an 85 yard pick six. The Brahmas kicker could have had one of his best videos for his U-tube followers, but Donald De La Haye missed a kick that could have sent this game to overtime. Then the news hit this week that now Wade Phillips is taking a leave of absence from the team. Which makes Payton Pardee, the Interim Head Coach, while Phillips attends to his personal reasons.
This has been a common theme this season with head coaches and assistants walking away from the spring fling for variety of reasons. Wade Phillips is the UFL’s biggest name in the league at the coaching position with all his years in the NFL.
#7. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-3)
USFL CONFERENCE: Still haven’t found what they are looking for as they drop 1 spot from last week.
Ken Whisenhunt elected to go for the 2 point conversion instead of tying the game with a 1 point try after the Showboats made a late rally to make things interesting with the Roughnecks. It was a battle of two teams looking for their first win. It was a game that Memphis was dominating most of the way until their starting QB, E.J. Perry, made two stupid throws that changed the momentum in favor of the Roughnecks. Perry was having a pretty good day until his first mistake, a pick six.
Then his second bad throw came in another interception trying to throw it away after being pressured. Both interceptions occurred in the 3rd quarter. Troy Williams finished the game at QB after Whisenhunt made a change at QB. Williams plunged & found the end zone on a rushing touchdown in the late rally. The Showboats out-gained the Roughnecks in the game in total offense with 261 total yards compared to 238 from the Roughnecks. If Troy Williams converts that 2 point conversion for a Showboats win, would Whisenhunt be coaching this team over Easter weekend? Wisenhunt left the Showboats in week one for personal reasons but came back the last two weeks & now has officially resigned. The Showboats offensive line coach, Jim Turner, will get the opportunity to finish off the season for Memphis.
The Showboats season is taking on too much water. It seems like this Memphis franchise is not getting a following as well. It would not surprise me if the UFL relocates this Showboats franchise to another city next year with a different name.
#6.HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (1-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: Roughnecks strike oil with a victory and move up one spot from last week.
The Roughnecks break an 8 game losing streak that dated back from last season with a win over the Showboats last week. It looked like another loss was on the horizon for this Roughnecks team until they changed the momentum in this game in the 3rd quarter.
It was the Roughnecks defense or a generous gift from the Showboats quarterback, EJ Perry, who threw the ball right into the hands of Leon O’Neal who took it 30 yards to the house for a pick six. The Roughnecks defense had two interceptions off Perry in the 3rd quarter. Before this game, the Roughnecks acquired one of the top notch receivers in the league from the Michigan Panthers in a trade.
Marcus Simms joined the Roughnecks who already have Justin Hall, another solid receiver. Simms was All- UFL last year catching 23 balls for 426 yards and three touchdowns. Now if only the Roughnecks had a solid quarterback. One of them came to life last week wheb Nolan Henderson was slinging the ball down the field and looking good doing that. His touchdown pass was not to Simms or Hall, but instead to Emmanuel Butler.
#5.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (2-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped 3 spots from last week
The line from the movie Lethal weapon by Detective Murtaugh sums up the last two weeks for the Renegades. They are all dressed up. They look like a football team. The last two weeks this team has scored 20 points after putting up 33 points in the very first game which was the highest by any team that week. The Renegades in week two squeaked by the Roughnecks, 11-9. Then last week Birmingham’s offense was hot garbage. Matt Corral looked like he should stop playing football for good as he was having a very bad game. The Renegades defense has been tough to score on. Donald Payne and company have put the pain on opposing offenses. Somehow they let Corral and that Stallions dormant offense march down the field in the last minutes of the game to score a touchdown while converting the extra point to take the game 10-9. When your defense only gives up ten points, what the hell is offense doing? Luis Perez is top QB in this league which I thought. The Renegades were running the football well. The Renegades went 0-4 in the red zone versus the Stallions. The Renegades running game versus the Roughnecks in week 2 averaged under 4 yards per carry. Now the Renegades have to figure how to score on the BattleHawks this weekend who looked like the best team in the entire league until they were knocked off by the Defenders. All dressed up and nobody to blow may be Bob Stoop’s press conference speech.
#4. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (2-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week.
Skip Holtz seems like that guy that created Frankenstein. Three championships in a row with three different specimens on his slab in the lab. Somehow Holtz’s creation this season in Matt Corral is not going well despite the Stallions winning 2 games in a row. When is Alex McGough coming back? That is the million dollar question. Corral versus the Renegades completed 19-41 passes for 255 yards. That is a completion percentage of 46.3% which is horrible. Corral threw a touchdown pass which ended up being the game winner in the last minute to beat the Renegades 10-9. He did throw a interception. Could Skip go with Case Cookus, a spring league veteran QB down the stretch who is Corral’s back up? Or will Skip keep working with Matt to eventually get his 4th Frankenstein QB? It is the Stallions defense who should get the victory lap in this 10-9 victory over Arlington. The Stallions defense held the Renegades to only 1 field goal in 4 trips to the red zone.
Its starts down in the trenches for the Stallions which features big ole number 97, Willie Yarbary. Yarbary has been a fixture on the Stallions D-line for the last three seasons. He had a big fumble recovery to help put away this Renegades squad. The Stallions now are 2-0 all-time versus Arlington. The Stallions now have won 10 straight home games dating back from last year.
#3.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (2-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
The Panthers traded away their best wide receiver Marcus Simms to the Houston Roughnecks for offensive lineman, Cam Carter. It’s a crazy trade which makes no sense for the Panthers. Carter is a decent lineman who has played a few seasons in the spring flings. He played well in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals a few seasons ago.
Simms can be a top receiver with most of the teams in the UFL. Maybe Mike Nolan is looking lean on the running game for the rest of the season and wants better pass protection. The Panthers QB is a duel threat as he likes to use his legs more than pass. Bryce Perkins did have 2 rushing touchdowns last weekend versus San Antonio.
Perkins did throw a six pick to the Brahmas defense and did not throw any touchdown passes. Take away that interception & he completed 17-23 for 193 passing yards. Simms who? The Panthers scored all their touchdowns running the ball. The Panthers kicker, B.T. Potter, is no Jake Bates, but he did put the dagger in Wade Phillips’ team with a 28 yard field goal to take the lead for good and put another W in the win column.
#2. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (2-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week.
The St.Louis BattleHawks were playing light years ahead of the competition in the UFL after the first two weeks of the season. The BattleHawks offense was lighting up the score board. The BattleHawks defense were suffocating their opponents in the first two weeks. The BattleHawks are unstoppable at home. Until the Defenders invaded which DC is St.Louis’ arch rival that goes back to the XFL days. It was a close game most of the day between these two teams. Manny Wilkins had two turnovers in the 4th quarter that the Defenders capitalized on to win this game. Wilkins has tallied 498 passing yards this season but has only 1 touchdown pass compared to three interceptions. Wilkins can get the job done using his legs as well. The Defenders defense have found ways to get the turnovers which they did and defended Wilkins really well in crunch time. The BattleHawks defense racked up 83 tackles in the game. Along with 7 pass break ups. BattleHawks corner back Chris Payton Jones broke up three passes.
The BattleHawks free safety, Nate Meadors, had a big day racking up 8 tackles which 5 were solo. The BattleHawks defense was on the field way too long and put in a bad field position from the turnovers as they could not overcome losing their first regular season game at home since their days of the XFL.
#1.DC DEFENDERS(3-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Jumped 4 spots from last week to land on the top of the power rankings for the first time this season.
The Defenders have not even been in my top 4 teams in any of my power rankings until this week. The beer snake bit me. The Defenders in the first week took out last year’s champs in week 1. I thought that game was a fluke as just a bad day at the office for the Stallions. I felt like they caught a few lucky breaks versus a bad Showboats team in week two. The Defenders showed me something in week three going to St. Louis in hostile conditions and pulling out a win. Now DC is the only remaining undefeated team in the UFL this season. The BattleHawks and Defenders hate each other. These are the two greatest fan bases in spring football and both teams were facing each other without a loss coming into week 3.
The Defenders score a season high 27 points. In the first two games of the season, the Defenders have settled for more field goals than converting touchdowns. The Defenders did get the 3 pointer in this road game as Matthew McCrane has one of the best legs in the league. It was Ty Scott who was beamed up by a beautiful throw by Jordan Ta’amu that went for a 62 yard explosion for the Defenders.
It was another battle between these teams that was close all the way into the 4th quarter. The Defenders defense then forced two turnovers from the BattleHawks QB. Manny Wilkins fumbled the ball away, threw a interception, and the Defenders capitalized on both turnovers. The Defenders held the BattleHawks offense to a season low of only 15 points. The Defenders lead the series now 3 games to 1 over the BattleHawks. The Defenders remain undefeated despite making a head coach change and defensive coordinator change. Every week so far now in the power rankings, I have had a different number one. Let’s see how long the Defenders hold their position at the top of the power rankings.
The Wild shamrock 