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SEASON 2 UFL: UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

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The UFL regular season concluded last week and the 4 best teams in the league made it to the post-season. Each conference will have their championship this weekend to see who will make it to the UFL’s season 2 title game in St.Louis. It’s DC Defenders visiting St.Louis BattleHawks for the XFL Conference title game. Then the Michigan Panthers visiting Birmingham Stallions for the USFL title game. Will the Stallions end up winning their 4th straight championship? Will St.Louis do their Tom Brady impression and host a title game at their home stadium to win it all? The Panthers do not play like kittens. Will the Defenders beer snake travel to St.Louis? Lots of questions & perhaps not enough answers. We may answer some of your questions with the UFL playoff preview and our own predictions. Both games are Sunday and they should be epic outcomes. Hope you enjoy!!!

UFL PLAYOFF PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

XFL CONFERENCE

Favorite: BattleHawks 2.5 points

#2. DC DEFENDERS (6-4) AT ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (8-2)

HEAD TO HEAD THIS SEASON: Defenders (1-1) BattleHawks

UFL RECORD ALL-TIME HEAD TO HEAD 2 SEASONS: BattleHawks (3-1) Defenders

The BattleHawks and Defenders hate each other which always makes a playoff game even more intense. These two teams hated each other back in the XFL days. The Defenders and BattleHawks split the season series. The last meeting was a BattleHawks win. However you know both teams were not showing anything new. Both teams were also resting players knowing they are meeting up in the post season a week later. You could say the Defenders victory over BattleHawks in week 3 is the only legit thing we have to work with. The BattleHawks have a different quarterback since the last time these two teams went at it with all their guys on the field. The BattleHawks went on to win the XFL Conference and have the best record in the entire league.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS ON OFFENSE

POINTS PER GAME: St.Louis averaged 23.1 PPG while DC averaged 22.5 PPG

The Defenders have the best aerial attack in the league.

Jordan Ta’amu is one of the best quarterbacks in the UFL. He was second in the league in passing yards with 2,153 and first in touchdown passes with 17. He only threw 4 interceptions.

The BattleHawks starting quarterback is a duel threat QB who relies on his legs over his arm. Max Duggan got the job when Manny Wilkens went down with a season ending injury. Duggan had 4 passing touchdowns with 4 interceptions. Duggan won all the games he started for the BattleHawks.

The BattleHawks can run the football as they are one of the top rushing teams in the league. Jacob Saylors finished 2nd in the league with 499 rushing yards. Max Duggan had another 299 rushing yards with 5 rushing touchdowns.

Both teams average about the same amount points per game this season. The Defenders rely on the pass while the BattleHawks rely on the run. The BattleHawks have some play makers that can catch the ball and change the game in the air. Hakeem Butler’s numbers were down this season, but he is a big target for St.Louis if Duggan can hit on some play action passes, he is a threat.

DEFENSE

POINTS ALLOWED: The Defenders allow 21.6 PPG while the BattleHawks allow 16.0 points per game

The Defenders need to cause turnovers to be successful. While the BattleHawks defensive unit is solid from the front to the back with guys that can get the turnovers as well. The BattleHawks don’t rely on them like the Defenders need them.

Pita Taumoepenu led the UFL this season in sacks with 7.5. The BattleHawks’ Willie Harvey is one of the best linebackers in the league and a tackling machine.

Not like father and son in DC. Since Gregg Williams left to Tennessee State following Reggie Barlow out the door to Tennessee State, the defense has not been the same. The Defenders gave the job to Gregg’s son and they still come after the QB but not like they used to.

The BattleHawks defense is by far the better unit this season and seems to be getting better as the season went along.

COACHING

You have to chalk up the experience of the BattleHawks Head coach Anthony Becht, former NFL tight end. He has the BattleHawks in the post-season two straight seasons. The new guy, Shannon Harris, acts more like a player than a head coach. Letting Skip Holtz have it after beating the Stallions in week 1 that he had bulletin board material that worked him up. As a head coach you need thicker skin. Sure, use the bulletin board material to help pump up your team without letting them know it’s getting under your skin.

PREDICTION

I can’t see the BattleHawks losing two straight seasons hosting a conference championship game. Last year the San Antonio Brahmas shocked the BattleHawks. This BattleHawks team has the experience and deeper roster than the Defenders. The BattleHawks have been very good at home with the best fan base in the UFL. The Defenders have won in St.Louis. They will put up a fight. I think cooler heads prevail as Anthony Becht’s team shows they have more discipline and avoid football stupid.

OUR PICK: ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS

USFL CONFERENCE

Favorite: Stallions favored by 1.5 points.

#2. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (6-4) AT BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (7-3)

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD THIS SEASON: Stallions (2-0) Panthers

UFL RECORD ALL-TIME HEAD TO HEAD 2 SEASONS: Stallions (5-0) Panthers

The Panthers and Stallions is a rematch from the 2024 USFL conference title game. That went to the Stallions as they are the defending champions coming into this title game. It seems like the Stallions are always the defending champions because they are looking for their 4th straight title in 4 straight seasons. Two in the USFL and now are trying to repeat in the UFL. The last time the Panthers beat the Stallions, you have to go back to 1983 in regular season of the USFL.

It was the year the Michigan Panthers were the champions. Since the reboot of the USFL, the Stallions have owned the Panthers with a 7-0 record all-time.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS ON OFFENSE

POINTS PER GAME: The Panthers averaged 24.5 PPG while the Stallions averaged 24.4 PPG

These two teams are very close to each other numbers-wise in stats on both the offense and defense. The quarterback match up in this title game will be must see television.

The Stallions went through 4 different quarterbacks this season, even bringing back the old guys of their glory days. J’Mar Smith was managing a Dunkin Donuts when he got the call from his head coach that he was needed once again. Smith came out of retirement and helped his former team to the number one seed in the USFL conference. Smith was the guy for Skip Holtz’s first ever Stallions USFL title they won in the original reboot. Smith in few games has tallied 758 passing yards with six touchdowns and 1 interception.

Bryce Perkins was red hot before he suffered an injury for the Panthers. He tallied up 1,342 passing yards with 9 touchdown passes which is good for number 2 in the UFL. He only had two interceptions. Perkins is a duel threat quarterback that does well with his arm and legs. Perkins had 269 yards on the ground with 5 rushing touchdowns. Obviously the Panthers have been resting him for this moment to slay the dragon.

RUNNING GAME

Both the Panthers and Stallions use running back by committee in their rushing attack. The Panthers average 127.8 yards per game with Nate McCrary as the main guy.

McCrary has racked up 380 rushing yards this season. The other head of this Panther two-headed monster is Toa Taua who is very good in the red zone scoring rushing touchdowns as he has six this season.

The Stallions rely on two of their staple backs they have had for years in Birmingham. Ricky Person Jr. has racked up 310 rushing yards this season. C.J Marable is also a guy they rely on in the running game and passing attack. The Stallions average 105.8 rushing yards per game.

THE PLAY MAKERS

The Stallions average 206.6 yards per game throwing the ball. Deon Cain is the Stallions top weapons in that department as he had 514 receiving yards this season. The Panthers average 192.9 passing yards per game. Their top wide receiver is Siaosi Mariner who has racked up 527 receiving yards.

Both teams are well balanced on offense. Both teams have quarterbacks that can get important yardage with their legs. It’s too close to call who has the better offense.

DEFENSE

POINTS ALLOWED: The Panthers allow 19.5 points per game while the Stallions D allows 16.2 point per game.

These are two of the most respected defenses in the league when you talk about what the Stallions and Panthers can do defending. The Panthers have a strong rushing defense and can put the Denver boot on the opponent’s running game. The Panthers defense lacks the sacks this season. However they did get their stud defensive player of the year back in the mix, Breeland Speaks, who missed most of the season.

The Panthers have two guys from their secondary that made all UFL team. Kendrick Whitehead Jr. and Arnold Tarpley III have had a great season containing the opponent’s passing game.

The Stallions defense were number one in multiple stat categories. They had the most sacks. They allowed the least amount of points, rushing touchdowns and first downs.

The Stallions have multiple players we can talk about on that stellar defense. The heart and soul of this Stallions defense has to be Kyahva Tezino, the former Pittsburgh Mauler. They also have A.J Thomas, so two guys that make the tackles. Both these guys are also play makers on the defensive side.

Both defenses are very close as I would give the Stallions having the edge overall.

COACHING

You know Skip Holtz, head coach of the Stallions, has to be in the mind of Panthers head coach Mike Nolan. Nolan has never beat Holtz as he is 0-5 versus Skip. Both Nolan and Holtz are two of the best coaches in this league. I have to give Skippy the edge here.

Skip Holtz owns Mike Nolan’s Panthers right now.

PREDICTION

I feel like if any team will get an upset between the Panthers and Defenders, it would go to Michigan. They say this is Michigan’s best team ever, even over the 1983 team that won it all in the USFL. The 1980’s seem to be so far in the past to compare these two teams like that. Skip Holtz has been here and done this 3 straight years. He has many of the players still on that team from year one. J’Mar Smith looks like he hit the fountain of youth coming back into the league after retiring. He was not the starter year 2 and year 3, so he lost his mojo after season 1 somehow. Is Bryce Perkins going to be rusty after missing several weeks with his injury? These two teams met in week 9 and it was a close affair. The Panther lost the game 26-22 with their back up, Danny Etling, playing in that one. This is a very hard match up to choose. Until I see Skip Holtz and the Stallions losing in the post-season, how do you bet against them? The Stallions will be at home & they play very well in front of the home crowd. The Stallions fans have not been turning out to the games like they used to. I can see them getting more butts in the seats in this game.

OUR PREDICTION: STALLIONS

THIBODEAU ONCE AGAIN THE SCAPEGOAT OF A BAD BASKETBALL FRANCHISE

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The New York Knicks have been one of the worst franchises in the NBA for over two full decades. They have not been relevant since the 1990’s. All those Knicks teams in the 90’s were not as good as the Michael Jordan Bulls teams back in the day where Airness ruled the courts including Madison Square Garden. The last 5 seasons the Knicks have suddenly been resurrected from the basketball grave yard by the savvy hire of Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals this season. On the way to the conference finals they knocked off the defending champs, the Boston Celtics. The Knicks would not get by the Indiana Pacers as they lose the conference finals in six games. Most experts would say a little more tinkering on the roster while keeping this team together to play with each other building up that chemistry should be enough to get further next season and beyond. The Knicks instead think this is as far as Thibodeau is going to get us. They fire him as they look for the sexy new replacement to get them to the promised land of that NBA championship. Flying off the handle has still not gotten this franchise a NBA championship in 52 years. That’s more than a drought this franchise has going on with this team as bad decisions have followed them like dark clouds.

Tom Thibodeau has been screwed by every franchise he has been head coach of. It started with the Chicago Bulls where the front office blamed him for wearing out their MVP Derrick Rose with heavy minutes even in games that were lopsided. Then in Minnesota a season after finally getting the Timberwolves back to the post-season, Thibs could not control Jimmy Butler who wanted out of town in a trade. He was head coach who did not get along with both front offices in his first two head coaching jobs. The Bulls General Manager during Thibodeau’s 5 years in Chicago, John Paxson, wanted to physically punch the coach because they did not see eye to eye. In Minnesota Thibodeau did not get along with the business side of the game with their front office. The 3rd season in Minnesota the Timberwolves started off the season with a losing record which gave the front office a better excuse to terminate Thibodeau. The Bulls fired Thibodeau and hired Fred Hoilberg where things turned even uglier in Chicago. At least Minnesota rebounded. Since Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls, the Tom Thibodeau era has been by far the best basketball the fan base has seen. When Knicks President Leon Rose says,”Our organization is singularly focused on winning championships for our fans.”

Leon Rose excuses for the firing of Tom Thibodeau for what could be multiple reasons. The Thibs defense did not do well versus the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. Thibodeau teams are usually solid on the defensive side of the ball. Another reason is the creativity of offense especially in the playoffs. The Knicks relied too much on Jalen Brunson on the offense. Obviously they think Thibs is just a bridge guy when it comes to coaching. A guy that will get you to the playoffs consistently and perhaps some years like this season, get your team deep into the post-season. In 13 regular seasons as head coach, Tom Thibodeau has a winning record all-time of 578-420 which is .579 winning %. His post-season record all-time is a losing record at 48-55 which is a .466 winning percentage. However in 13 seasons he has only 4 losing seasons. For the Knicks he had back to back years of this team winning 50 or more games which has not happened since the 1990’s. The Knicks have seen the post-season 4-5 years he has been in New York. Thibodeau’s 24 playoff wins as a Knicks head coach is 17 more victories then the team’s last 13 coaches combined. He had a winning record as the Knicks head coach which was 24-23. Before Thibs took the Knicks job, New York missed the playoffs 7 straight seasons.

Who will the Knicks turn to now? Michael Malone or Rick Pitino? Could they pry Dan Hurley from his University of Connecticut job? Can they bring back an old face like Jeff Van Gundy? I’m sure the list will include some more of the hottest college coaches. Tom Thibodeau will get another head coaching job in the NBA. I think Thibs is not just a bridge gap style of head coach. He took the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals that featured the dream team Lebron James built with the Heat joining forces with Dwyane Wade and luring Chris Bosch to South Beach. I think Derrick Rose would have hurt his knee eventually. It was not Thibs’ fault for keeping him in a game they had wrapped up. That knee was most likely a ticking time bomb waiting for any moment to blow up on Rose. I think front offices don’t give Thibs the chances he deserves to really get the guys he wants and use them the way he wants to. Tom got one of his old guys from the Timberwolves by getting Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade. You can see the Knicks were building this up every year and getting better every season. I just don’t understand how you would not give him at least one more year to try to get over the hump. It’s the mentality of New York sports to get drastic and make a move when you do not have to. I think Leon Rose, the blowhard the Knicks have, is wanting more credit. Front offices will always doom guys like Thibs who only wants to do things his way. Yes, stubborn, but his recipe has worked. The Knicks right now may be a piece away. Maybe more. Now I hope the Knicks find themselves in basketball purgatory next season. You’d rather be worst than stuck in the middle of the NBA with clowns to the right and jokers to the left. Then Leon will feel how the Big Apple takes a bite out of him.

NHL 2025 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS: FINALS PREDICTIONS

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The Stanley Cup has arrived as we are down to two teams in the finals. It’s a rematch of last year’s epic 7 game series that went the distance with the Florida Panthers versus the Edmonton Oilers.

We hope the sequel of the Panthers/Oilers is not Weekend at Bernie’s Two and more like Star Wars’ Empire Strikes Back if you want to dub Edmonton as the bad guys. This is the 12th time in NHL history we have the same two teams battling it out in two straight seasons in the Stanley Cup finals. It’s the first time since 2009 when Detroit and Pittsburgh squared off for the second time in two seasons. The Oilers could be trying to repeat their own history as they were beaten by the New York Islanders in 1983 in the first year of back to back finals. In 1984, Edmonton would prevail over the Islanders. Now Edmonton is looking to do the same thing with the Panthers after falling to Florida last year. Florida has other plans as they want to be the 3rd team this century to repeat in back to back finals. The Penguins did it in 2016 & ’17 while the Lightning did the same thing in 2020 & ’21. Edmonton and I imagine most of Canada would love to see their country’s drought end. The last time a Canadian team in the NHL won the Stanley Cup, you have to go back to 1992 when Montreal won it all.

Our playoff predictions throughout the playoffs prediction for each series winners, record stands at 9-5. We went 6-2 first round. Second round went even at 2-2. Conference championships we have a 1-1 record. We have suffered three series losses picking against the Oilers. Will that change in the finals? Should we go Oilers and jump on their band wagon? We have not done well at picking the right games each series winner has clinched it by. These are some things you should know if you are using this article as a reference to make a wager on the outcome of the NHL finals.

2025 STANLEY CUP FINALS

EDMONTON OILERS VERSUS FLORIDA PANTHERS

Season series: (0-2) favoring Panthers, Playoff History: (1-0) 1 series favoring Panthers

How these teams arrived here: Panthers eliminated: Lightning, Maple Leafs & Hurricanes

Oilers eliminated: Kings, Golden Knights & Stars

History Cups won: Oilers (5-1) Panthers

Oilers Cups, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990.

Panthers Cup, 2024,

Last year the Panthers cruised to a 3 games to nothing lead on the Oilers. Then the Oilers came back and won three straight to bring the series to a game 7. Finally the Panthers put away the Oilers avoiding a historical collapse you want nothing to do with. How do the Oilers overcome the Panthers besides not digging a hole for themselves early on in the series? The Panthers are not the hunters any longer as they are being hunted which sometimes is harder to defend and prevail in these circumstances. Let’s dive into some intriguing numbers first. The number 2.

Corey Perry will be playing in his 5th Stanley Cup finals in his last six seasons. It will be his 6th Stanley Cup final of his career. The first 1 he won back in 2007 with the Ducks. Perry has been on the losing end of the last 4 Cup tries. In 2020 with the Stars, 2021 Canadiens, 2022 Lightning and last year with the same Oilers. At 40 years of age, will he get that 2nd cup?

In 17 games of post-season, Brad Marchand wearing a Panthers jersey has 4 goals while dishing out ten assists. The Panthers added Marchand through a trade with the Boston Bruins. Marchand is seeking his second Stanley Cup championship just like Corey Perry. Marchand won his only win with Boston in 2011. The last two finals Marchand has been in both with the Bruins, he was on the losing side in 2013 & 19. Could the veteran get his name on the Cup twice?

DEADLY LINES

The Brad Marchand line has been very productive on the road as it’s been averaging 3 points per contest. This line has produced 32 points with 10 goals and 22 assists for the Panthers so far this post-season. Besides Marchand, the Panthers have Anton Lundell on this line and he has 5 goals with 7 assists in the post season so far. Then Eetu Luostarinen has 4 goals and dished out 9 assists. It’s nice to have something working to your own advantage on the road which these teams will need to steal a game to win this thing.

The Oilers in the 1980’s had two super power players – Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Can Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl be those guys to get it done for the Oilers like those past Edmonton heroes did?

Both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have done the heavy lifting this post-season. Draisaitl has 7 goals with 18 assists which totals out to 25 points. McDavid has 6 goals and has dished out 20 assists which is good for 26 points.

GOALIES

Which goalie will be red hot in this Stanley Cup final? We know a goalie could single handedly be the X-factor of any series in hockey and carry his team to the promised land. The Panthers have the better goalie with Sergei Bobrovsky. The Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner has shown he can be a brick wall in the net for them.

Since Bobrovsky took over the net for the Panthers in post-season play since April 23, 2023, he has 40 wins behind net and six shut outs. He has 2.40 goals against average and .911 save %. This post-season he has a record of 12-5 with 3 shut outs. He only has 2.11 goals against average and a higher save percentage at .912.

Now Stuart Skinner buckled down after Edmonton lost their first game versus the Stars. He won 4 straight games to help Edmonton get to this point. He only allowed 5 goals out of 105 shots from game 2 through 5 out of the conference championship series. Skinner rebounds quickly from a bad game which you want that from your goalie, a short memory. He allowed 4 goals in game three of the series when the Oilers faced the Golden Knights in round two. He rebounded with two straight shut outs versus a Vegas team that has a solid offense.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I think the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are definitely the two best teams in the NHL. You can say that I’m like Captain Obvious on that statement as they are the only two teams left standing. I thought about the Oilers how I thought they did not have the goal tending. They did not have depth in their roster. I thought how the Oilers rely too much on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. These are all true statements when you talk about the heavy burden and if they get others to help. Can Skinner remain hot in the net?

The Panthers have so much depth on this roster as I have not even mentioned some of their bigger names. Like Matthew Tkachuk whose presence is a force out on the ice. He has 38 hits and chipped in 5 goals so far this post-season. Then the Panthers number 1 star Aleksandor Barkov who has 6 goals with 11 assists, blocked 16 shots, and has dished out plenty of hits. What about two Panthers that may be on their last ride with the team? They are star defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennent who has multiple goals this post-season. These two guys will be free agents at the end of this series. I think Florida has too much more than Edmonton. The Oilers will make this a must watch series as it should go 7 games. I think the Panthers goal tending puts the Oilers super stars on ice at the end.

OUR PREDICTION: FLORIDA PANTHERS REPEAT AS YOUR STANLEY CUP WINNER IN 7 GAMES

SEASON 2 UFL: UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS WEEK 10

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The post-season is clear with the 4 teams making the tournament. The XFL Conference will have the Defenders and BattleHawks while the USFL Conference will have the Panthers and Stallions. Right now St.Louis looks like the best team in the league. The Stallions are rising up just in time to win their 4th title game in a row. The Stallions still own the kittens in Michigan. The Defenders could be that thorn in the BattleHawks side to prevent a Birmingham St.Louis showdown. Still one more week of regular season to play. The Roughnecks and Renegades finally win last week. Too little too late. But they could both end up at 5-5. The Brahmas and Showboats are back to their old tricks. Let’s sort it out as we have some movement in this week’s UFL power rankings.

WEEK 10 POWER RANKINGS WORST TO FIRST

#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-8)

XFL CONFERENCE: The Brahmas were dead last in my UFL power rankings most of the year. Nothing changed from last week as they are still there because they can not go any lower except on the field of play.

The lady standing wearing the horns with all the tattoos is a keeper one to bring home to mom. Makes one feel like Sunday morning waking up wondering what you drank. If you are a fan of the Brahmas, you better keep a few bottles of the strong stuff by you. This team is horrible & a skeleton of itself from one season ago. Without Wade Phillips being the grand Poobah of this Texan team, in the future I don’t see things turning around.

The Brahmas on Friday night last week played one quarter out of 4 as they made it a close game at 15-7 with the BattleHawks. St.Louis blew the doors off the Brahmas, 39-13. The BattleHawks offense had 402 total yards compared to the Brahmas 234. The Brahmas average play went for 4.3 yards while St.Louis averaged 6.8 yards per play. The running back Jashaun Corbin is the only thing going well for the Brahmas. He had another 85 yards on the ground with a touchdown. He averaged 6.1 yards per play. The Brahmas went back to Kellen Mond at quarterback who is not very good. No mistakes, but his completion rate is hovering around 50%. He completed 14-26 passes for 103 yards. Not very good. The Brahmas will have to address their QB situation and hope they can bring back their Grand Poobah as head coach next season.

#7. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (2-7)

USFL CONFERENCE: The Showboats take a knee in week 9 as they know they are not the worst team in the league after winning week 8 against the Brahmas. The lucky 7th spot is the same spot they have clung to all year.

The Showboats gave veteran spring quarterback EJ Perry another shot behind center in week 9 versus the Renegades defense. Perry fumbled the ball on a strip sack by the Renegades defense. He completed 5-11 passes for 89 passing yards. Dresser Winn saw some action after sitting out the Brahmas game from an injury. He really did not do well as he completed 7-16 passes for 89 passing yards. Winn looked good for a few games, but overall the Showboats QBs were disappointing this season. Even only completing about 50% of their passes, Memphis hung with the Renegades through 3 quarters. After the first half it was 12-9 Arlington. It was 18-12 Arlington after the 3rd quarter until the Renegades sunk the boat in the 4th for good.

Some diver will discover the Memphis Showboats 2025 season wreckage in years to come. Jalen Jackson had another rushing touchdown for the season. The running game was horrific as the Showboats starter, Deneric Prince, averaged 2 yards per carry versus the Renegades defense.

For the season Prince averaged 3.1 yards per carry as he has 97 rushes for the season so far for 298 yards on the ground with only 1 touchdown. Matt Coghlin scored 6 points going 2-2 in field goals. We will see if the Showboats survive next season as a team that could change cities as the Yacht Club seemed to have forgotten where the stadium was this season.

The Showboats need to address their QB situation and find someone that can carry the load running the football next season.

#6.HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (4-5)

USFL CONFERENCE: Even with the win last week they are still in the same spot from last week the way everything played out in week 9.

The Roughnecks finally got that signature victory against a winning opponent in week 9 when they took down the DC Defenders in a thriller. Now that blown lead against the Stallions comes back to bite the Roughnecks as they could still be in the mix if they held on and beat Birmingham. Even knowing they were out of the post-season, you have to give Houston kudos for coming out playing hard versus the Defenders and it earned them their 4th victory of the season. They could go 5-5 if the Panthers lay down their arms and rest players this weekend before post-season play in game that does not mean anything to Michigan. The Roughnecks had to hold on versus the Defenders in the 4th quarter where they almost gave this game away. The Defenders scored 12 points in the 4th to cut the Roughnecks lead into 3 points. The Roughnecks dominated the entire game except in the 4th quarter. The Roughnecks got a blocked field goal and a defensive stop to put this one on ice. The Roughnecks defense forced two turnovers as Leon O’Neal Jr. had a big fumble recovery that set up a Houston score and got the interview afterwards.

Jalen McClendon at quarterback is a keeper. If only the Roughnecks started him from game one, maybe they are in the post-season. If Houston does not keep him, he is definitely a starter in the UFL for somebody for years to come. He had 232 yards passing with two touchdown passes & no interceptions. Justin Hall had another monster day. Jalen’s favorite target had 10 catches for 126 receiving yards. The Roughnecks ran the ball well. The most important thing was they avoided second half collapse. Barely.

#5. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (4-5)

XFL CONFERENCE: Renegades remain in the number 5 spot overall because they are not in the top 4 teams of the UFL. Instead a team on the bubble for that 4th spot with their roller coaster season.

The Renegades played lights out on defense last week versus the Showboats. They held the Memphis offense to total of 173 yards. The two Showboats quarterbacks completed under 50% of their throws. Memphis lingered in this game and finally in the 4th quarter, Arlington as a whole put a team away. Both the Renegades offense and defense showed you flashes on how this team could be a playoff team, but they have not had enough games or quarters like that this season together. They did not blow a 4th quarter lead either. The Renegades defense was awesome creating turnovers, pressuring the quarterback, and not giving them time to analyze the field.

Willie Taylor III forced two fumbles & recovered one of them for the Renegades defense. He also had two sacks. The Renegades defense held the Showboats running game to 42 yards. Luis Perez always has the stats as he completed 20-30 for 206 passing yards and two touchdown passes and converted drives into points in the 4th quarter. I can see the Renegades finishing the season at 5-5 which is the up and down season they have had and if they closed out some of those games, it would be different world for them.

#4. DC DEFENDERS (6-3)

XFL CONFERENCE: I have the Defenders dropping one spot from last week with the loss to the Roughnecks.

The Defenders to me are the worst team out of the playoff teams. However they seem like they have the BattleHawks’ number so you could see them advancing to the title game. They were down early to the Roughnecks last week and fought back in the 4th quarter to make it a game and fell short. The Defenders quarterbacks threw the ball over 50 times. The Defenders aerial attack is the best in the league. They had two quarterbacks that put up eye popping stats.

We know about Jordan Ta’amu who the Defenders rested because they are locked in playing the BattleHawks in the playoffs and in the final week of the season. The other guy, Mike Diliello, looks like a starter in the UFL in the future. He completed 17-29 passes for 206 passing yards and a touchdown pass. Teams like the Showboats & Brahmas would love a guy like that to be the starting QB for them. As a group the Defenders ran for 87 yards which is better than most weeks. The Defenders missed a field goal that could have tied the game last week late in the 4th. I think this team relies too much on the pass and not enough balance to sustain long drives. They can score quickly. The Defenders defense seem to spend too much time out there on the field. They are a bend, but don’t break defense and rely on sacks and turnovers which sometimes do not materialize for that unit.

#3. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (6-3)

USFL CONFERENCE: The Panthers drop 1 spot from last week as they lose a close one to the division rival Stallions.

The Panthers got back the man on their defense. Last year’s defensive player of the year Breeland Speaks just in time for their arch rival Stallions in a big game between these two teams. The Panthers and Stallions will meet up in the post-season and no matter who won this game, the USFL conference championship was going to be played in Birmingham. If the Panthers win the conference, they are on the road no matter what. That did not happen, but both teams wanted it. The Panthers did not play their top QB perhaps saving Bryce Perkins for that playoff battle. Danny Etling has played very well filling in for Perkins and he completed 23-39 passes for 236 passing yards and two touchdown passes.

Siaosi Mariner continues to play well with whoever is the QB in Michigan. Now you probably know why Marcus Simms became expendable as he was traded to Houston weeks ago. Mariner caught 5 balls for 115 yards and hauled in a touchdown. Once again not enough to beat the Stallions who have the Panthers’ number. The Panthers defense could not stop the Stallions on 3rd down and remained on the field longer than you like to see. The Stallions then made the key stop on the Panthers offense to seal the deal in a 26-22 victory. The Stallions sweep the season series versus the Panthers. Mike Nolan head coach of the Panthers has not been able to beat Skip Holtz, the Birmingham head coach. The Stallions are the Panther’s kryptonite in this league. Until the Panthers can beat the Stallions, they will not win it all.

#2.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (6-3)

USFL CONFERENCE: The Stallions move up 2 spots beating their division rival the Panthers.

The Stallions have the Michigan Panthers’ number. This has been going on for years. The Stallions sweep the season series versus the Panthers and have control of the USFL conference. Win or loss the Stallions were hosting a home game in the USFL conference title game. Now you can see that the Stallions are gearing up to try to win their 4th title in a row and second UFL trophy. They are doing it with a guy that was managing a Dunkin Donuts a few weeks back and retired from the game.

Not that guy, but J’mar Smith got the call from his head coach Skip to come back. Injuries had inserted Smith back into the QB 1 role.

Smith never left the Birmingham area after retiring as he is the guy that helped the Stallions win their very first title game in the reboot of the USFL. Smith came up big versus the Panthers throwing for 307 yards with two touchdown passes. The Stallions completed 11/13 3rd down conversions. It has felt like all season the Stallions had many more losses than 3. Here they are now with 6 wins & could be 7 this weekend. They don’t go away.

#1.ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (7-2)

XFL CONFERENCE: They gave the worst team a beat down to remain number 1 in the same spot as last week.

Do we have a QB controversy brewing in Arch Town? We know the success Max Duggan has had being the starter when Manny Wilkens’ season ended with an injury weeks ago. Duggan gives the BattleHawks that running QB with that running game which makes them a hard team to beat. In garbage time as Duggan was taken out of the game last week because the BattleHawks were beating up on the Brahmas, they inserted his back up. Not a bad idea to give the back up QB some reps just in case. Brandon Silvers, a journeymen spring QB, sparked the aerial attack for the BattleHawks which has been dormant at times this season even with the success they have still had. He completed 7-10 passes for 100 yards with a touchdown pass. Silvers had played for the Memphis Express back in the AAF in 2019. Last year, he played for the Roughnecks. He has also suited up for the Seattle Sea dragons of the XFL. Not a bad thing to have two sets of skills the BattleHawks can deploy on a opponent in post-season. The back ups were looking like all-stars versus the Brahmas. Back up running back Keon Latulas had 8 carries for 66 yards and a rushing touchdown. That is 8.2 yards a clip. The BattleHawks go into week 10 with the best record in the UFL and play the their archrival the Defenders who gave them one of the losses this season. The BattleHawks have back to back games versus the Defenders including the XFL Conference title game in St.Louis. They have to figure out how to beat the Defenders and the important one will be the post-season. It is nice they have some roster depth as this could be the BattleHawks’ year.

NOT SMOKING THE BLACKHAWKS PEACE PIPE ON THEIR NEW HIRE

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The Chicago Blackhawks have hired their 42nd head coach in their franchise history. This go around it’s not a guy without head coaching experience as was the case with the last few guys. The Blackhawks have settled on a former Detroit Red Wings head coach, 51 year old Jeff Blashill, who is a Michigan native. With the free agent pool of coaching options drying up like the Las Vegas desert, the Blackhawks will spin this move as their number one option. All the solid choices have come to terms with their future. Leaving some retreads that have had more than one opportunity as a head coach in the NHL but nothing spectacular. The Blashill hiring gives mixed feelings as he has a nice hockey resume in coaching but is not the splash signing the Blackhawks fan base had hoped for. It is the Chicago way of avoiding the top choices. Settling for plan C or D, as you notice I did not mention B. It’s general manager Kyle Davidson’s second crack at hiring his guy as the new Chief. Can Blashill be the guy that can ride the Blackhawks number 1 overall pick of 2023 Connor Bedard to the Stanley Cup playoffs? Maybe help him become that super star in the NHL that all the experts chimed in about being the next Connor McDavid?

Jeff Blashill played college hockey at Ferris State where he played goalie. From 1999-2002 he was an assistant coach at Ferris State. Then he continued coaching at the college level getting a assistant job at Miami Ohio University for six seasons. His first head coaching job came in the USHL with the Indiana Ice where he won the first ever championship in that league. After one season in Indiana, he went back to the college game and took the head coaching job at Western Michigan. Then he got his first taste at the NHL level with the Red Wings. They liked him so much they gave Blashill the head coaching job to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. He won a Calder Cup as the Griffins head coach in the AHL and Coach of the Year award. In 2015 he got his first head coaching gig in the NHL replacing Mike Babcock on the Detroit Red Wings. His first season he got the Red Wings to the post-season. He had the job for seven seasons but would never get a team back to the post-season after his first season. He was fired after a 32-40-10 in the 2021-’22 season. The Red Wings were an aging team when he came in as they had to go younger. Some will say it was to blame for his overall record in Detroit. Blashill’s NHL record is a losing one at 204-261-72.

Last year the Chicago Blackhawks finished with a 25-46-11 record which was good for last in the Central. It is the second straight season the Blackhawks, this franchise, have been number 31 overall. The Blackhawks GM fired his first hire in Luke Richardson in December. He was replaced by Anders Sorenson as the interim head coach and he helped the team finish another dismal season. Soreneson will now become an assistant on Blashill’s staff. The Blackhawks will also keep Jimmy Waite as the goal tending coach, a guy who played for the franchise and has coached goalies for several years now. Luke Richardson replaced Derek King, who was an interim head coach for Jeremy Colliton. Sorenson, Richardson, King, and Colliton got their first taste of being an NHL head coach from the Blackhawks. This is why the last time the team wearing the Indian sweater played in the post-season was in 2020. That was when they expanded the post-season because their was a stoppage due to the pandemic.

The Chicago Blackhawks think things will be different for Jeff Blashill, who has been working under Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning since his days in Detroit. Cooper, who is one Blashill’s good friends, had very nice things to say about his pal who ran Tampa Bay’s defense and penalty kill. Cooper is one of the best head coaches in the league with all those great Lightning teams that have won multiple cups in the last ten seasons. It will be the same kind of ordeal for Blashill like in Detroit as he has multiple guys on the roster that have made their season debut last year. Connor Bedard had the same amount of goals he had in the first season in his second year, as he played in more games. We know Kyle Davidson will need to add to this team and give their young superstar another guy to strengthen their number 1 line and make it one of the lethal scoring machines in the game.

I would have loved to see the Blackhawks open up the vault and go with one of the top college coaches to pair up with Connor Bedard. Like David Carle and Adam Nightingale who are staying at the college level. You know this team would not pay a guy like Mike Sulliven who left Pittsburgh for the mecca New York Rangers job. The Blackhawks are banking on that Blashill soaked in all of Jon Cooper’s coaching philosophies. What I do like about this hire is Blashill is a defensive guy, which this team needs if they can’t light the lamp and be one of the top offenses in the game. The Blackhawks will spin this like they got the best new thing since sliced bread. Even though I feel like we are light years away from post-season hockey. I know the Blackhawks cleaned up their own franchise with the dynasty with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. It did not take that long to go back to bad hockey and games that are not shown on television because the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox are still in a cable dispute that has gone on way too long. Nobody wants to stream their product being the 31st overall team. I’m not drinking the kool-aid or smoking their peace pipe until they get this franchise once again out of the hockey purgatory and act like an original six team. Act like a big market so the Sullys of the world will pick Chicago jobs over the Big Apple.

SEASON 2 UFL: UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS WEEK 9

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According to the Godfather, the Stallions are on notice in the UFL. The BattleHawks collected a signature win and are still perched high above the UFL power rankings. We have a winner from the Toilet bowl of the UFL that took OT to decide. Not much movement in the UFL power rankings going into week 9. We have established the 4 best teams as post-season is ironing out in this second season of the UFL. Week 9 we will jump in TO dissect everything except the Stallions head.

WEEK 9 POWER RANKINGS WORST TO FIRST

#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-7)

XFL CONFERENCE: I think it is official that we can say the Brahmas have clinched the last spot in the UFL power rankings. We probably could have said that in week two as well.

The Brahmas had a chance to escape being the doormat of the league. They played the Memphis Showboats last weekend who came in to week 8 having one victory. The Brahmas came in having that lone victory that sets up an epic toilet bowl battle. The Showboats were missing their starting quarterback in this one. The Brahmas offense has been on life support most of the year until they inserted Jashaun Corbin at running back. They have also done better with Kevin Hogan as their quarterback. This had all the ingredients to be a close game which it was, as it went to overtime. Being the worst team in the league playing against another bad team, you can not turn over the ball. We may have seen the last of Hogan who had three interceptions in this one, but San Antonio still could have won it in the shoot out. Corbin did his thing – 25 carries for 143 rushing yards and one touchdown. He caught 5 balls for 38 yards. The Brahmas banked on a trick play with tight end Steven Stillianos throwing a touchdown strike.

Stiillianos was a quarterback in high school who took a pass from Hogan. He caught & then threw a 38 yard strike to wide receiver Dee Anderson for six points. Mistakes killed the cattle from San Antonio. The Brahmas missed a field goal that could have prevented overtime. Hogan’s last pass falls incomplete in the OT shootout to give Memphis the win.

#7.MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (2-6)

USFL CONFERENCE: They won the toilet bowl and have not flushed out of the 7th spot from last week.

The Showboats have been playing much better when their starting quarterback became Dresser Winn. Winn would not play versus the Brahmas because he had an injury he suffered against the BattleHawks in week 7. He did finish the game. That means the Showboats had to rely on spring veteran Troy Williams, who has not been very good this season. You have to go back a few seasons when Williams was in the USFL with the Pittsburgh Maulers. He was game manager. Williams against the Brahmas he completed 5-11 passes for 36 yards. How the hell do the Showboats win this game with 36 passing yards? The Showboats floated with their running game and defense. Williams did have 29 yards with his legs. Jalen Jackson had 7 carries for 76 yards.

Jackson also had a rushing touchdown. The Showboats were without veteran running back Will Hills who got hurt after finding his way back into the league from an injury last season. The Showboats defense came up big with three interceptions.

Cameron Dantzler had a pick six off a bad decision by Kevin Hogan. In toilet bowl games, it seems each team wants to gift wrap the victory to the other team. Williams hit wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II for a 12 yard pass, but he would fumble the ball as the Brahmas stayed in this game. I will say Troy Williams came up big in the shoot out hitting two conversions. The only games Memphis has won this season is in overtime which they can hang their hats on as they are 2-0 in OT.

#6. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (3-5)

USFL CONFERENCE: The Roughnecks season was deflated from the Stallions’ comeback in week 7, which haunted them in week 8 as this team looked and played like the walking dead. They are still lingering in the same spot from last week.

Beetlejuice looks like the Roughnecks head coach Curtis Johnson after their loss to the Michigan Panthers. The Roughnecks won three straight games and have been playing well. They brought that momentum into the Stallions game and built a 25-6 halftime lead, only to watch it fade away in the second half. Last week, the Panthers second string QB struck oil versus Houston, and the Roughnecks could not contain the spill. In the first half, the Roughnecks did play well as they went to the half down by a field goal. Then the second half once again turned into the walking dead. The Roughnecks ran the ball as a group for 125 yards on the ground. Jalen McClendon had 316 passing yards with two touchdown passes but served up a interception.

Justin Hall had 11 catches in this game for 88 yards and hauled in one of the touchdown passes. Hall now has 48 catches for the season for 363 receiving yards and three touchdown catches. You can’t play one half of solid football against the top teams in any sporting league and expect to win those games. Houston will be home for the post-season.

#5. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-5)

XFL CONFERENCE: The short end of the stick is Renegades football this season as they are stuck in glue at the number 5 spot.

The Renegades once again can not close out the game at the end. It was another interception from Luis Perez on the last play of the game that sealed the win for the Defenders. It was another shootout between these two XFL rivals. The Defenders escaped Arlington’s first match up with 37-33 win. Last weekend Defenders won 33-30 and swept the two game season series. With the Renegades loss, they have been eliminated from the post-season play. The offense was there for the Renegades in this one. Tyler Vaughns had two touchdown catches from Luis Perez.

He finished the day with 3 catches for 51 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. Perez once again had the aerial attack humming as he completed 32-46 passes for 350 passing yards, but the interception at the end is costly. It’s another close game the Renegades have lost as they have to lead the league in those bad L’s. The Renegades defense did not do the offense any favors as they allowed the Defenders to march up and down the field on them.

Maybe head coach Bob Stoops should stop reading and forwarding Luis Perez “The Spring King” book and look at what former Yankee Hall of Famer wrote about closing ball games out. The Renegades’ problem this year is they can’t find that right recipe to put the game away.

#4.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (5-3)

USFL CONFERENCE: The Stallions are the only top 4 team in the UFL to lose last week. I have them dropping one spot in the power rankings.

The Stallions gallop into Arch City on a high note after a comeback on their division rival Roughnecks. Stallions vs BattleHawks was every expert’s pick in the first UFL title game, but St.Louis lost to the Brahmas in last year’s XFL conference championship. Birmingham has clinched a playoff spot and will automatically host the USFL conference championship game while St.Louis gets the nod to host the XFL Conference game. This could easily be the title game preview that went to St.Louis in a tight game. The BattleHawks score a touchdown with 3 minutes left in the game to tie things up in the 4th quarter. Then they converted the extra point to take a 29-28 lead which turned out to be the final. J’mar Smith came out of retirement this season to help his old team. In week 7, Smith helped by putting away the Roughnecks. He got the start versus the BattleHawks. Smith was impressive completing 14-27 passes for 262 passing yards with 3 touchdown passes. He did have an interception.

Deon Cain, a spring league veteran, is having a fabulous season. Cain had 2 catches, both touchdowns, for 115 receiving yards. Cain leads the league in receiving yards with 436 total yards. Cain is familiar with Smith. Who will be the starting QB for the Stallions in post-season? Will former USFL MVP Alex McGough make his return? How long is Matt Corral out? What about Case Cookus? Is it Smith’s job down the stretch.

#3. DC DEFENDERS (6-2)

XFL CONFERENCE: The Defenders rise into the 3rd spot of the power rankings. As they move up one spot from last week in their shoot out win over the Renegades.

The Defenders lost their head coach before week one when Reggie Barlow bolted for the college game. Then the Defenders lost their D-Coordinator as Gregg Williams followed Barlow to Tennessee State.

The new guy had some words for Skip Holtz in the very first game of the season when the Defenders beat the Stallions. The new guy went with Gregg Williams’ son to be the next defensive coordinator. After all the fall out, the Defenders have made it to the post-season with their win over the Renegades. It was another shoot out win over Arlington during which the Defenders got the turnover on the final play of the game to send the Renegades home for the post-season. Right now the Defenders are number 1 in the XFL conference even though they have the same record as the BattleHawks from their victory over them earlier in the season. Does it matter being number 1 or even 2 in the seeding for the Defenders? In week 10, the Defenders and BattleHawks have a rematch. Then they will play in the XFL Conference championship and see each other in back-to-back weeks. The XFL conference championship is automatically in St.Louis. The bright side is the Defenders have the best passing game in the league. They have a defense that comes after the QB. Their defense needs turnovers to be successful as they are very good at that. If you don’t believe me, ask the Renegades. I will be interested to watch St.Louis and DC square off because the hate each other. I expect some stupid penalties in a grind it out to the end kind of play in that championship game.

#2.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (6-2)

USFL CONFERENCE: Panthers are on top of the USFL conference by themselves as they stay put in the number 2 spot in the power rankings from last week.

The Birmingham Stallions have lived the life of Reilly in spring football. The Panthers would like to finally slay their demon and mount that Stallion head inside the Michigan den. The Panthers extinguished the Roughnecks in the second half last weekend by blowing the doors off their oil rigs and did it with their second string QB.

Danny Etling filling in for the injured Bryce Perkins who is in the running for the UFL MVP award this season, could not go. Etling completed 14-22 passes for 167 yards with 3 touchdown passes. The Panthers defense shut out the Roughnecks in the second half. The Panthers need Perkins back behind center if they want to win the UFL title. They know they have to get by the dreaded Stallions who they play this weekend. The Stallions won the first match-up this season. The Stallions knocked the Panthers out of the playoffs last year. Does it matter even if the Panthers lose this regular season game to the Stallions? They will be playing the Stallions no matter what in the USFL Conference that is going to be played in Birmingham. It does not matter if they are number 1 seed or 2 in the USFL conference. It’s that playoff game & they want to cut the head off the mighty Stallion that has galloped over them for years. Perhaps Panthers could gain extra confidence if they do beat up the Stallions this week. It should be another epic post-season game. Look for the Panthers to rest players like Perkins.

#1.ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (6-2)

XFL CONFERENCE: Still perched on the top of the power rankings as this has been going on for 3 straight weeks.

The BattleHawks picked away at the Stallions and come away with a big signature win versus last year’s champs. Max Duggan is 4-0 as the starter for the BattleHawks.

Without Jacob Saylors, the BattleHawks would not be perched high in the standings as they are now. The BattleHawks have the best running game in the league as Saylors had 16 carries for 118 rushing yards and the touchdown that tied things up late in the 4th quarter. Saylors also converted the 1 point conversion to break the tie that would eventually be the game winning point for St.Louis. Saylors is by far the best running back in the UFL. You could say that former NFL tight end head coach of the BattleHawks, Anthony Becht, is approaching the same conversation to a guy like Skip Holtz of the Stallions.

Becht is now 20-8 all-time as the BattleHawks head coach. With the XFL Conference championship slated to be played in St.Louis along with the title game, the BattleHawks with that defense and running game could be a very tough out as the clinched a playoff spot already. Talk about having home field advantage with the largest following fan base in the league.

NHL 2025 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS: CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS

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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.

OUR PREDICTION: PANTHERS IN SIX GAMES

SEASON 2 UFL: UNITED FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS WEEK 8

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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 SAINTS WILL MARCH ON AS CARR DRIVES OFF INTO THE SUNSET

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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.

SEASON 2 UFL: UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS WEEK 7

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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.