By: Amirah Razman (STL) and Trey Colbeck (BHM)
Our weekly breakdowns associated with UFL games will follow the format of both correspondents providing a brief write-up of who they think holds the advantage at each position group on the field. This will be followed up with a brief prediction of how the game will turn out, followed by a score prediction. Las Vegas betting odds will be provided, along with how the correspondents would play their money when evaluating the match-up.
To see previous iterations of The Shakedown (and more) from this season, check out the AFN News Page!
There is a logjam at the top of the league this week, with the top four teams in the league holding the same record. When the Battlehawks go to war with the Stallions this week, two of those teams will be facing off. A game like this deals a blow to the loser’s chances of earning the number one seed in their conference. A win may help the victor earn it. Regardless of result, a feisty cross-conference clash is coming in hot!
This should be a good one, and we at AFN are here to break it down for you!
Quarterbacks
Amirah Razman (STL)
Max Duggan is a quarterback who can run the ball effectively and can generally get comfortable in the pocket. However, he is still struggling at throwing the ball and struggles with accuracy. The Stallions, on the other hand, have been riding an endless quarterback carousel all season as their quarterback corps has been decimated with injuries. This week Alex McGough is expected to return as the Stallions’ starter, and he has been the better of the Stallions’ QB brass all season. I’ll give the nod to the Stallions on this one.
Advantage: Birmingham Stallions
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
The Stallions’ quarterback room must be cursed with the number of injuries they’ve faced this season. J’Mar Smith gets the nod after going three for five for 63 yards. Cookus is listed as the backup, so he could be available if needed, but clearly, there’s some concern that he can’t be the starter. However, despite all the injuries, Birmingham has found a way to be 5-2 and sit atop the conference standings.
On St. Louis, Max Duggan will continue to lead the Battlehawks’ offense. With three touchdowns and three interceptions this season, he will need to find a better way to protect the ball, but his playing time this year gives me more confidence than Smith.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Running Backs
Amirah Razman (STL)
Jacob Saylors has been quiet for much of the season, and he can make great run plays when he is given the opportunity. However, the Stallions’ running back class is strong with Ricky Person Jr. and C.J. Marable, who had dominant performances last week. Given that the Stallions can utilize their running backs, and Jacob Saylors has not had many opportunities to score in the red zone, I give Birmingham the advantage here.
Advantage: Birmingham Stallions
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
Jacob Saylors leads the league with 371 rushing yards in 2025, and he has found the end zone on four occasions. St. Louis uses the run game well and should be more efficient than Birmingham.
The Stallions’ running backs, C.J. Marable and Ricky Person Jr., have potential, but they haven’t been given the same opportunities. Person gets some work when the Birmingham offense gets near the end zone with his three rushing touchdowns, but the team clearly focuses more on the passing game.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Amirah Razman (STL)
Hakeem Butler and Jahcour Pearson have been great for STL in the wide receiver room. Pearson scored a touchdown in last week’s game against Memphis — his first touchdown this season — and recorded three receptions for six yards. Jake Sutherland has had solid performances for the Battlehawks this season. He was responsible for one reception for eight yards last week, and has been the Battlehawks’ ultimate hype man all season. STL has a strong corps, and their offense is able to move with the ball well thanks to Butler and Pearson.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
Both teams have talented receiving groups with dynamic pieces that can make huge plays. Deon Cain is fourth in the league in receiving yards and has been the main target when the Stallions need a big play. Jace Sternberger has been getting more and more involved in the offense as the season progresses. Any dangerous offense needs to use its tight end effectively.
St. Louis’s receivers can also make big plays when needed. Hakeem Butler is tied for the league lead with his three touchdown receptions. He is the clear target when St. Louis needs to score if the run game can’t get them there. The two groups are very close, but I’m leaning towards Birmingham because they rely on the passing game a bit more.
Advantage: Birmingham Stallions
Offensive Line
Amirah Razman (STL)
The Battlehawks’ offensive line has struggled in recent weeks, especially with the loss of Abdul Beecham. They are able to cover and block people, but recently have not been able to give Max Duggan the opportunity to be comfortable in the pocket. Birmingham’s offense has struggled all year as well, but given that they’ll have a familiar face in McGough back this week, we might be seeing a stronger group in Birmingham this week.
Advantage: Birmingham Stallions
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
St. Louis has given up the most sacks with 20.5 so far this year but they also lead in rushing yards with 955. The big boys can create space for the running back but have trouble protecting the quarterback. Birmingham sits third in rushing yards at 748, but also has given up 17 sacks. They can also create opportunities for the running game, but have problems protecting their man under center. Let’s call this a dead heat, as both sides have similar pros and cons.
Advantage: Push
Defensive Line
Amirah Razman (STL)
I feel like a broken record every week, but when it comes to the Battlehawks’ defensive line, it’s the same story week in and week out — dominant performances, great stops, and great ways to capitalize. Birmingham has not been the strongest team offensively (despite their record), so I expect the Battlehawks’ d-line to continue to be dominant.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
Both the Stallions and the Battlehawks have 15 sacks this season, and both defenses have only given up four rushing touchdowns. However, Birmingham has been more stingy when giving up total rushing yards as they lead the league with 551 compared to St. Louis’s 666. Both D-lines can show up when needed but the slight more stinginess of Birmingham makes me lean that way.
Advantage: Birmingham Stallions
Linebackers
Amirah Razman (STL)
The Battlehawks have a strong linebacker corps in Willie Harvey and Travis Feeney, and they continue to capitalize on every opportunity possible. Harvey recorded five tackles while Feeney notched seven tackles ;ast week. They are every opposing offenses worst nightmare, and I expect them to continue to be strong this week.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
Birmingham’s linebackers are the key part of the defense, and Kyava Tezino and Tae Crowder record a good chunk of the tackles. They are a huge part of that Birmingham run stop that has helped put this team where they are today. On the other side, St. Louis’s linebackers Willie Harvey and Mike Rose also earn their fair share of tackles and contribute to the Battehawks’ run stop. They also get involved in the pass defense, and Harvery even has one interception to show for it. The game could easily come down to which linebacking core screws up first. It’s tough to separate these two without using a microscope, but it leans just towards Birmingham in my book.
Advantage: Birmingham Stallions
Defensive Backs
Amirah Razman (STL)
Again, I sound like a broken record… but the Battlehawks’ defensive backs are strong. Kameron Kelly, Qwynterrio Cole, and Chris Payton Jones are able to cover the backfield well and are able to make critical stops to prevent scoring plays. They could tighten up every week, but I’m not too worried about them.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
Along with a stingy run defense, Birmingham’s pass defense is very impressive as well. They give up a lot of yards, but they keep opposing offenses out of the end zone. They have also given up only four touchdowns through the air this season. The Stallions only have four interceptions to their name this year, but it doesn’t matter if they are still able to not let the other team score. St. Louis leads the league with eight interceptions, but they have also given up twice as many passing touchdowns as Birmingham. I hate the term, but the “bend don’t break” Birmingham defensive backs are the better group in my opinion.
Advantage: Birmingham Stallions
Win and Score Predictions
Amirah Razman (STL)
Advantage Count: St. Louis Battlehawks (4), Birmingham Stallions (3), Push (0)
The Battlehawks vs Stallions match-up is always highly-anticipated game, and there’s no doubt it will be the same way. Both teams may be slow on offense — but defensively, both are capable of great performances. I expect a strong showing defensively on both sides, and some great offensive plays. McGough coming back from injury will be interesting to watch — will he play at the same level as he was pre-injury? Will this be the game that Max Duggan finally throws more accurately downfield? So many possibilities, but I expect a high-scoring, offensive attack all around. St. Louis, 30-25.
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
Advantage Count: St. Louis Battlehawks (4), Birmingham Stallions (2), Push (1)
Everything points to this game being close, and with both teams on the verge of clinching a playoff spot, it should be an entertaining game. Both offenses can put up points, but both defenses have proven to be stingy all season. The one negative for Birmingham in the carousel of quarterbacks is because of injuries. However, they have managed their way through it well so far. I see this being a one-score game either way. Birmingham, 27-24.
Betting Predictions
Line: Battlehawks (-1.5) O/U: 39.5
Amirah Razman (STL)
I’m a bit surprised we’re the favorites here — but seeming that this is the last regular season home game for the Battlehawks, and the first Battlehawks vs Stallions matchup in St. Louis, I can see why we are. I think STL covers the spread here. I’ll take the over — this is going to be a highly competitive game on both sides, and both are going to capitalize on every scoring opportunity.
Trey Colbeck (BHM)
This game could be a coin toss, and even if Birmingham loses, it could very well be by only one point. So, in that case, I will take the +1.5. Even with both defenses being very well put together, the over/under at 39.5 should be easy to hit, so I’d take the over.
