By: Drew Wells (D.C.) and RJ Reid (SA)
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!
Somebody’s “O” has to go. The winless Brahmas travel to the nation’s capital to face the undefeated DC Defenders, concluding their season opening four game road trip. We at Alternative Football Network bring you a quick look inside who may have the advantage at each position group today. You can catch the game on Sunday, April 20th, on FOX at 5:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. CT.
Quarterbacks
Drew Wells (D.C.)
Jordan Ta’Amu has not been a very efficient quarterback this year so far. Having said that, he tends to really show up in big moments. He is using his mobility a little more and (despite streaky passing success) hits big plays down the field. Kellen Mond, is a growing prospect in the UFL, and has improved noticeably week-over-week. With a new play caller and head coach in Peyton Pardee, the Brahmas had a little life on offense last week. Make no mistake, Mond is talented. He still needs experience, however, and the Defenders aren’t a good team to provide that in terms of getting his first UFL win.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
RJ Reid (SA)
Against the Panthers, Kellen Mond improved slightly from the previous two weeks, in that he finally threw his first touchdown of the season against zero interceptions. His completion rate finally was over 50%. The Brahmas’ offense showed signs of life for the first time under new offensive coordinator Payton Pardee. However, the team’s 0-3 record and being outscored by a wide margin the first three weeks proves limited production. Mond’s mobility is an asset, but his passing game lacks consistency.
For the Defenders, Jordan Ta’amu struggles with accuracy and turnovers against the Battlehawks. He had one huge play, hitting Ty Scott for a 62-yard gain, contributing to the Defenders’ victory in a tough road environment. Even though he threw two interceptions in Week 3 and has not produced like he has in the past, his experience (1,894 passing yards, 14 TDs in 2023) gives him an edge.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Running Backs
Drew Wells (D.C.)
Abram Smith and Deon Jackson boast a combined 300+ yards on the season after three weeks behind an offensive line that has been on fire. They both get involved in the pass game as well, which really lends this offense variety in their play calls. San Antonio have a very talented running back stable led by Anthony MacFarland, but they haven’t had the impact that Brahmas’ fans had hoped for so far.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
RJ Reid (SA)
Anthony McFarland was a bright spot, with the potential to flip the script if given space. The Brahmas’ run-heavy shift under Pardee likely will lean on John Lovett and McFarland, though the team’s 0-3 start demonstrated their limited overall impact. Lovett is a top-tier UFL back when healthy, but the offensive line’s struggles (dead-last for run defenses faced) hinder him.
Abram Smith was a huge part of the Defenders in 2023 but missed last year due to injury. His return in 2025 has been underwhelming so far. Although he carried the ball 23 times in Week 3, he only managed to gain 52 yards, a 2.3 yards per carry. Deon Jackson was much more proficient, gaining 54 yards on only 8 carries, a 6.8 yards per carry average. With the Brahmas’ struggles in run defense, the Defenders could exploit this weakness and control the clock.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Drew Wells (D.C.)
For San Antonio, Jacob Harris and Jontre Kirklin have been big threats. Harris had one hell of a game last week with a display of real explosiveness and determination. On the Defenders’ side, Ty Scott has been an absolute monster out wide. His running mate Chris Rowland has been nothing to scoff at either, both ripping off huge gains regularly. With two inefficient quarterbacks at the helm for all these receivers, this is a tough one to call in terms of who will perform better. In this instance I’ll go with proven point production, which D.C.’s receivers have in spades.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
RJ Reid (SA)
Jacob Harris has shown early chemistry with Mond, offering hope in the passing game. Jontre Kirklin, re-signed for 2025, had 56 catches for 614 yards and 3 TDs in 2024’s championship run, but has been invisible in 2025. The receiving corps is talented but underutilized due to Mond’s struggles and offensive line woes.
Scott had a 62-yard reception from Ta’amu, and Chris Rowland contributed 62 yards the prior week, showing explosiveness. Week 3 saw Scott and Rowland as key contributors in the win over St. Louis. The Defenders’ receivers thrive with Ta’amu’s deep ball, ranking high in big plays, though timing issues persist.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Offensive Line
Drew Wells (D.C.)
The offensive lines are very clearly reflective of how good or bad they are based on one stat alone: sacks allowed. The Defenders have given up only two all year, while the Brahmas have given up eight. Both team’s are inconsistent on offense, but in D.C. it isn’t for lack of protection in the pass game. This is an easy advantage for the Defenders.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
RJ Reid (SA)
The Brahmas’ line struggled, with Michigan’s top run-blocking unit exposing weaknesses recording 2 sacks. New tackles and cohesion issues hinder protection and run support, though Mond’s mobility helps. The line’s poor run defense grade (47.5) reflects broader issues, limiting Lovett, McFarland and the passing game.
The Defenders’ ability to protect Ta’amu for a 62-yard pass demonstrated decent pocket time and the fact that they did not surrender a sack against the Battlehawks, further solidify the fact that the Defender’s offensive line held up admirably. D.C.’s line supports a pass-heavy offense, with Ta’amu’s mobility reducing pressure. They rank second against the run defensively, implying discipline.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Defensive Line
Drew Wells (D.C.)
Both defensive lines in today’s match-up are part of a special and talented front seven on their respective squads. Both teams average several TFLs per game (D.C. averages 6+, San Antonio 3+). That part in parentheses is pretty telling, though. These squads run vastly different styles of defense, and chaos caused by the defensive line is where TFLs are made or broken. The Defenders are the best in the league at causing that chaos, and it doesn’t seem to be remotely close.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
RJ Reid (SA)
The defensive front was porous, allowing Michigan’s run game to dominate, especially with Jaden Shirden running for a long 43-yard gain. The Brahmas only recorded one sack and has only two for the season. Jordan Williams’ pick-six was a highlight, but it’s credited to the linebacker. The Brahmas’ run defense ranks last, a bad sign for the line’s ability to control games.
D.C. leads the UFL with 11 sacks through Week 3, showcasing a fierce pass rush. They held St. Louis to 173 total yards, with the line contributing to four forced turnovers. The Defenders’ upgraded pass rush from 2024 carries over, with new coordinator Blake Williams maintaining aggression.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Linebackers
Drew Wells (D.C.)
Jordan Williams and Tavante Beckett give San Antonio lots of flexibility in how they run their overall scheme. Both can drop into zones, and both are excellent run supporters. They lead San Antonio in tackles, but without a truly dominant defensive line they can’t work relative miracles. In D.C., Momo Sanogo and Anthony Hines both have the benefit of a dominant defensive line in front of them. Advantage goes to the Defenders at linebacker, despite overall talent at the position being healthily debatable.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
RJ Reid (SA)
Jordan Williams had a pick-six against Michigan, a rare defensive highlight in a loss. Tavante Beckett recorded 8 tackles and 0.8 sacks, but the unit struggled against the Panthers’ run game. Williams is a playmaker, but the linebacker group lacks depth to counter strong offenses.
D.C.’s defense held St. Louis’ potent offense in check, suggesting solid tackling and coverage. The unit’s +4 turnover margin reflects instincts. The Defenders’ linebackers benefit from a strong front, focusing on run support and occasional blitzes.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Defensive Backs
Drew Wells (D.C.)
Between these defenses, they have only been scored on three times combined through the air this season. Both squads are aggressive and cause turnovers, but D.C. forces them more (5 picks on the year so far). Great play makers on both sides, but D.C. has the better front seven in support. This helps the secondary have to cover for less time, which means Kellen Mond will have to play a damn good game just to be positively effective. Any struggles that Mond has, Ta’Amu may have as well. He’s streaky, but has had a knack for hitting big passes. That’s more on him though. The D.C. defense will loom large today.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
RJ Reid (SA)
Corey Mayfield, Jr. continues to play well, but the secondary couldn’t stop Michigan’s passing game, other than the pick six. The secondary has played well, ranking in the middle of the pack in passing yards allowed (518).
D.C.’s secondary led the league with a +4 turnover margin, recording three interceptions against the Battlehawks. They rank second against the run, giving up only 270 yards on the season. D.C.’s turnover-hungry, disciplined secondary far outclasses the Brahmas’ struggling unit, which failed to disrupt Michigan.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Win and Score Predictions
Drew Wells (D.C.)
Advantage Count: D.C. Defenders (7), San Antonio Brahmas (0), Push (0)
The Defenders have dominated each game they have played across the first three weeks of this season. San Antonio has yet to win a game, but are rapidly improving. They actually have a small advantage on offense this week in that there isn’t a lot of film on what Coach Pardee plans to do with his offense. That could work out to help San Antonio. The Defenders seem to have things figured out with themselves first, and that is what held them back in previous seasons. I’m not certain this will be a close one, as San Antonio has too much to overcome in the land of thrown lemons and beer snakes. D.C., 33-13.
RJ Reid (SA)
Advantage Count: D.C. Defenders (7), San Antonio Brahmas (0), Push (0)
The Brahmas lost to the Panthers 26-23, showing offensive fight (258 total yards, season-high 23 points) but defensive struggles, especially against the run (allowing 173.5 yards per game, 7 rushing TDs in two weeks). The Defenders beat the Battlehawks, with Jordan Ta’amu’s 62-yard TD pass to Ty Scott and a defense that held St. Louis to 173 total yards, leading the UFL with 8 sacks and a +4 turnover margin.
The Defenders’ pass rush and turnover creation should pressure Kellen Mond, who’s still finding his rhythm (159 yards, 54.8% completion in Week 2). The Brahmas’ run-heavy approach with John Lovett could keep it close, but their porous run defense may struggle against Ta’amu’s mobility and Abram Smith. D.C.’s offense is more explosive, and their special teams add an edge. The Brahmas’ late-game fight against Michigan suggests resilience, but D.C.’s defensive dominance tips the scales. Defenders, 24-17.
Betting Predictions
Line: Defenders (-6.5) O/U: 38.5
Drew Wells (D.C.)
I could easily be wrong, but this just feels like there couldn’t be a more obvious over play than 38.5 at home. San Antonio will score a couple of field goals and probably a late TD, while D.C. keeps their train moving and covers the spread easily.
RJ Reid (SA)
The Brahmas’ games trend low-scoring (18 points scored in week 3, nine each in weeks 1-2) due to offensive struggles, but their 258-yard output vs. Michigan hints at potential. The Defenders’ offense can explode (Ta’amu’s 62-yard TD), but their defense stifles opponents (173 yards allowed vs. St. Louis). Mainly due to DC’s defense, I will take the under. The Brahmas’ O-line issues and D.C.’s sack-heavy defense should limit long drives, keeping the score tight, but I do believe that San Antonio will cover the spread.
One comment
How wrong you were on the SA-DC game. Brahmas will be a serious contender for the UFL title