Well folks, we have quite the championship game coming our way Saturday on ABC. The defending champion DC Defenders will host the Louisville Kings at Audi Field.
Ticket sales already look impressive, which is huge considering championship game attendance over the last two seasons was lackluster at best (no shade to St. Louis). Fans bought so much that they had to open the 200 level at Audi Field, which is great to see. It’s still shaping up to be a massive success and could end up being the most attended Defenders game in recent memory (18K in Week 9 of the 2023 season). I expect Audi to be absolutely rocking, and that beer snake is going to be massive.
But now, onto the game.
The Story Nobody Could Script: Jason Bean vs His Former Team
What a storyline we have with Jason Bean. Bean started the season as Louisville’s quarterback before being traded to DC when the Kings committed to Chandler Rogers. Since then, Rogers has led one of the most impressive turnarounds in spring football.
Louisville’s Rise From 0-3 to Title Contender
After Louisville opened the season 1-3 with Bean under center, Rogers helped guide the Kings to a 5-1 record down the stretch and then led them into St. Louis, where they knocked off the Battlehawks in front of their home crowd.
The Kings’ offensive line has come together, and the two-headed rushing attack of former NFL running back James Robinson and Ian Wheeler has become one of the league’s most dangerous combinations. That balanced offense has allowed Rogers to thrive and make big-time throws when Louisville needs them most.
As a St. Louis fan myself, I kept wondering why Bushell-Beatty was without a team after being one of the best offensive tackles in spring football. When Chris Redman made several roster cuts early in the season, I honestly thought Louisville was in complete disarray.
Instead, they turned things around.
Jamie Sharper has proven himself as one of the league’s premier defensive coordinators. His defense consistently creates turnovers and forces opposing offenses into mistakes. Cam Gill’s spring football-record 10 sacks are a perfect example of the pressure this unit generates.
In their first season, the improbable has happened. The Kings are headed to the United Bowl.
As a fan of spring football, I couldn’t be happier for that fan base. Louisville has quickly established itself as one of the best markets in the league, and it feels like they’re only getting started. Credit to Mike Repole for giving Louisville an opportunity and even more credit to Chris Redman and his staff for engineering one of the best turnarounds we’ve seen in recent spring football history.
DC’s path has looked much different.
DC’s Identity: Surviving, Adjusting, and Peaking at the Right Time
The Defenders lost MVP-caliber quarterback Jordan Ta’amu against these very Kings earlier this season. Losing a player of that caliber can derail a championship contender, and for a while it looked like it had.
DC limped into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. Spencer Sanders did his best to keep the offense afloat, but eventually Shannon Harris turned to Jason Bean.
Bean has shown flashes all season. His dual-threat ability makes him dangerous both through the air and on the ground. At times, however, inconsistency has hurt him. The regular season, though, means very little once the playoffs begin.
The biggest thing Bean did against Orlando was protect the football.
He made smart decisions, delivered accurate throws from the pocket, and used his legs effectively when needed. More importantly, DC established the run. Deon Jackson and spring football veteran Abraham Smith led a dominant rushing attack that controlled the clock and kept Orlando’s explosive offense on the sideline.
Defensively, the Defenders continue to be loaded with talent. When you have two former first-round NFL draft picks at cornerback, you’re going to make life difficult for opposing receivers. Add in Derick Roberson coming off the edge, and it’s easy to see why this defense continues to create problems for quarterbacks.
Ironically, one could argue that Louisville’s season changed on the controversial unnecessary roughness penalty against Roberson on his hit of Chandler Rogers earlier this season. Since that moment, the Kings have looked like a completely different football team.
How does Bean respond against his former team with a championship on the line? Does Jamie Sharper know exactly how to attack Bean and force mistakes? Can Rogers continue his incredible run?
Both teams are strong offensively and defensively. Shannon Harris has repeatedly shown he knows how to prepare his team for big games, while Chris Redman has Louisville playing its best football at exactly the right time.
I also have to give some appreciation to the kickers.
Tanner Brown has been outstanding this season and should absolutely have NFL teams paying attention. Two 60-plus-yard field goals in a playoff game will turn heads quickly. Finishing 25-for-28 with an 89 percent field goal percentage is an impressive résumé.
Matt McCrane deserves recognition as well. He has also connected on multiple 60-plus-yard field goals this season and remains one of the most reliable kickers in spring football.
Don’t be surprised if special teams play a major role in deciding this championship.
Keys to a DC Defenders Victory
The blueprint is simple: do exactly what they did against Orlando.
Control the clock, establish the run, and keep Louisville’s offense off the field. The Kings’ run defense has shown vulnerabilities at times this season, and DC has to take advantage of that. Bean doesn’t need to throw for 350 yards. He simply needs to manage the game effectively, make smart decisions, and use his athleticism when opportunities present themselves.
Defensively, the Defenders have to make Rogers uncomfortable. If they can slow down the rushing attack and force Louisville into obvious passing situations, they’ll give themselves a chance.
After all, DC just proved something important. They went 0-2 against Orlando during the regular season before beating them when it mattered most.
The Defenders are also 0-2 against Louisville this year. Can they do it again?
Keys to a Louisville Kings Victory
Louisville’s path to a championship starts with their improved offensive line and a strong rushing attack from James Robinson and Ian Wheeler. That balance has taken pressure off Chandler Rogers and allowed him to make more efficient decisions in the passing game. If they stay committed to the run, they can control tempo and avoid putting Rogers in obvious passing situations.
Defensively, this unit has been just as important. Jamie Sharper’s group consistently creates pressure and forces turnovers, with Cam Gill leading the way as a major disruptor off the edge. On the back end, Louisville’s cornerbacks have also played at a high level, holding up in coverage and helping limit explosive plays, which has made it harder for opposing quarterbacks to find rhythm.
If Louisville continues to win at the line of scrimmage, generate pressure, and get strong coverage on the outside, they’ll have a real chance to dictate the game and come out on top.
Final Prediction: Who Wins the United Bowl?
As for my prediction, I have to ride with the red-hot Kings.
Since taking over as the starter, Rogers has consistently elevated Louisville’s offense. The Kings have scored 47 against Dallas, 30 and 33 against DC, 37 against Dallas again, 42 against Columbus, and then put up 29 against the league’s top-rated defense in St. Louis.
If Louisville’s defense continues creating turnovers and the rushing attack stays productive, they’ll be difficult to stop.
Prediction: Louisville 28, DC 24.
