By: Drew Wells (DC) and R. J. 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!
The Brahmas’ disastrous season is quickly and painfully nearing the end. They return home after being blown out in back-to-back weeks, this time at the hands of the Birmingham Stallions. Meanwhile, the Defenders are floundering after looking like the favorites to win it all from week one.
We at Alternative Football Network bring you a quick look inside at who may have the advantage at each position group in this weekend’s game. You can catch the ball game Friday, May 9th on FOX at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT.
Quarterbacks
Drew Wells (DC)
Unfortunately for San Antonio, this is the worst position on their team in terms of talent and depth. Beyond that, it has been an absolute revolving door for them. This being the case is rarely a recipe for any team to have success. The Defenders have been struggling lately, but the offense has still been relatively good. Ta’Amu is still playing good ball, and even if he wasn’t, he is still much more skilled and talented than any QB on these two rosters.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
R. J. Reid (SA)
The Brahmas have cycled through three QBs this season – Kellen Mond, Jarrett Guarantano, and Kevin Hogan – with none establishing dominance. Hogan, the current starter, went 17-26 for 179 yards (65.4% completion) against the Stallions but failed to generate sustained scoring drives, resulting in only 3 points. The offensive line’s inability to protect Hogan forces him to scramble frequently, limiting his effectiveness. A dropped pass by Jontre Kirklin on a perfect throw highlights execution issue.
Jordan Ta’amu, a UFL veteran, leads D.C. In 2025, he has 606 yards and 5 TDs but a league-low 46% completion rate. He makes clutch plays but can be inconsistent. Ta’amu’s has a riskier, big-play style. His experience and higher TD output give D.C. an edge, though his low completion rate is a concern. The Brahmas’ QB play is hindered by poor protection and inconsistent performance across multiple starters, while the Defenders have a more stable or productive QB situation.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Running Backs
Drew Wells (DC)
My colleague R.J. here makes a good point below. I’ll let you read that, but I will say that the talent is there on both squads. Despite their struggles last week, both squads will likely look to establish the run early. These RB stables are oozing with ability, but the team outlooks are MUCH different with D.C. still a playoff favorite and San Antonio playing the spoilers. If I had to pick a team to get the run moving in this match-up, it would be D.C.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
R. J. Reid (SA)
The Brahmas’ rushing attack was ineffective against the Stallions, managing only 24 yards against the league’s top rushing defense. The offensive line’s inability to open holes severely limits the running backs’ impact.
D.C.’s running backs are more effective due to a better offensive line. The Brahmas’ running game is stifled by a weak offensive line, while the Defenders have a more functional or productive ground attack, mostly due to a better offensive line.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Drew Wells (DC)
When there are struggles at QB, the obvious happens with tight ends and receivers. San Antonio is a squad that lacks confidence right now. Kirklin has had a rough year after being on NFL practice squads and rosters last season. Talent worthy of intermittent pro roster call-ups doesn’t typically just fall off like that. Do the Brahmas have talent and explosiveness at the position? Yes. They just don’t have anyone to enable it.
The Defenders do, however. The emergence of Braylon Sanders has added to the already unprecedented (in the UFL) receiving performance in a single season. Add him in with Chris Rowland, Ty Scott, and a host of other viable receivers, and you have a winning position group here every time.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
R. J. Reid (SA)
The Brahmas’ receivers are extremely talented but underutilized due to the offensive line’s failure to give QBs time to throw. Justin Smith had two big catches (56 and 45 yards) against the Stallions, showing potential for explosive plays. However, Jontre Kirklin’s critical drop on an easy touchdown pass underscores execution issues.
D.C.’s receiving corps is more productive, better at catching under pressure, and benefits from better QB play and protection. The Brahmas have talent but are hampered by poor protection and occasional drops, while the Defenders’ receivers capitalize on better opportunities and have fewer execution errors.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Offensive Line
Drew Wells (DC)
The Defenders have had real issues in the run game of late, and the offensive line seems to be regressing a bit. A narrow victory over the Renegades and a blowout loss to the Panthers have really exposed this group. That said, the talent to rebound is there. (Has anyone questioned the coaching here yet, though!?)
While D.C. has struggled, San Antonio never really got it going. They were formidable in the run game early on this year, but it didn’t really pay dividends for them in the win column. Additionally, if you can’t protect a QB, you won’t have a QB. Who is their starter this week? Whoever draws the short straw, I suppose…
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
R. J. Reid (SA)
The Brahmas’ offensive line is a significant weakness, porous and unable to protect whoever the quarterback has been or open running lanes. They allowed 3 sacks against the Stallions, and opposing defensive linemen dominated them.
D.C. possesses a stronger, more cohesive unit that provides better protection and run blocking. The Brahmas’ line is a liability, failing in both pass protection and run blocking, while the Defenders’ line performs adequately and excels in these areas.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Defensive Line
Drew Wells (DC)
Despite their performance last week against Michigan, I stand by the fact that the Defenders’ front group is likely the best in the league. This defensive line causes tons of chaos, and that is the name of the game in a front seven. San Antonio has some dawgs too, but they are playing three-fifths of the snaps each game here lately. No defensive line, regardless of how talented they are, can hold up to basically living on the field while the offense musters three points on the day.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
R. J. Reid (SA)
The Brahmas’ defensive line, once a dominate force, has regressed significantly. The overall defensive struggles (e.g., allowing 14 rushing touchdowns) proves that the Brahmas’ defensive front is ineffective at stopping the run or pressuring the QB.
D.C. has a stronger defensive line, better at run defense and generating pressure, despite not recording a sack against the Brahmas the last time they met. The Brahmas’ defensive line struggles to control the line of scrimmage, while the Defenders’ line is more disruptive and effective.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Linebackers
Drew Wells (DC)
I’ll make it known here that Tavante Beckett is my favorite LB in the league. The guy is a stud, and plays VERY smart football. To San Antonio’s dismay, he is one of few absolute starts in the league and is surrounded by incompetent offense and extended defensive field time.
The Defenders, on the other hand, have a lot of talent complimenting them on the offensive side and enjoy good bouts of rest for the most part. That makes it MUCH easier to make plays, especially behind a defensive line that is so good.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
R. J. Reid (SA)
The Brahmas’ defensive woes (especially against the run) emphasize the fact that the linebackers are not making significant impacts in run defense or coverage. The Defenders have more effective linebackers, better at tackling, run defense, and covering tight ends and running backs. The Brahmas’ linebackers are a weak link in an already struggling defense, while the Defenders’ linebackers contribute more effectively.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Defensive Backs
Drew Wells (DC)
It’s good that this is the last position group to evaluate because I am sure that I sound like a broken record here… Statistically, D.C. has more INTs and PBUs on the year than does San Antonio. Their secondary has either had little to do or made decent plays when called upon, and that is because of the front seven being good (credit to these DBs getting it done when needed).
The Brahmas secondary doesn’t have terrible statistical representation, but again (record skips) they are constantly out there chasing folks across the field.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
R. J. Reid (SA)
The Brahmas’ defensive backs have allowed only 3 passing touchdowns, which is surprisingly strong. However, this stat is skewed because opponents rely heavily on the run (14 rushing touchdowns), reducing the need to pass. This suggests the secondary is adequate but not heavily tested.
The Defenders have a more reliable or impactful secondary, with better coverage skills or playmaking ability. The Brahmas’ defensive backs benefit from opponents’ run-heavy strategies, masking potential weaknesses, while the Defenders’ secondary is more proven and versatile.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Win and Score Predictions
Drew Wells (DC)
Advantage Count: D.C. Defenders (7), San Antonio Brahmas (0), Push (0)
My predictions have been way off the last two weeks. The Defenders’ game against Arlington was one for the ages, but then they got embarrassed by Michigan last week. Both games showed some flaws in almost every phase of the game. San Antonio were the first to take D.C. down this year, so I doubt that the Defenders overlook them. This game has the potential to break D.C.’s spirits if the Brahmas show up like they did the last time these two teams met. I have a hard time believing that the Defenders do anything but get back to the basics and, consequently, their winning ways. D.C., 30-6.
R. J. Reid (SA)
Advantage Count: D.C. Defenders (7), San Antonio Brahmas (0), Push (0)
The outlook for this game is bleak for the Brahmas, with no position group favored. The Defenders appear to have a clear edge in every area, suggesting a significant mismatch in talent, execution, or coaching. Given the Brahmas’ offensive struggles (scoring only 3 points in each of their last two games), their porous offensive line, and their defense’s inability to stop the run, the Defenders are likely to dominate. The Brahmas’ passing game shows occasional flashes (e.g., Justin Smith’s deep catches), but execution errors (drops, poor protection) limit their scoring potential.
The Defenders, with advantages across the board, should control the game through a balanced offense and a defense that exploits the Brahmas’ weaknesses. The Brahmas went into our nation’s capital and upset the Defenders earlier this season, and now that they are home, they could repeat an upset, but that is unlikely given how the Brahmas have performed since their upset victory over the Defenders. D.C., 27-10.
Betting Predictions
Line: Defenders (-8.5) O/U: 36.5
Drew Wells (DC)
Unless Uncle Rico comes off the bench to “throw this football over that mountain over there”, San Antonio’s offense is cooked. Hogan better get his running pants on, because D.C. is a hornet’s nest when they know they can freely blitz. I’d have a hard time saying that D.C.’s offense can hit 30 points by themselves, but they actually may this game. Even if they do, San Antonio will have to score more than just a field goal. The Defenders almost assuredly cover here, and the under is likely to hit.
R. J. Reid (SA)
While D.C. is the stronger team on paper and at home, the -8.5 spread feels inflated given their failure to cover large spreads this season, despite the fact that San Antonio has been blown out the past two games while only scoring a field goal in each. The Brahmas’ upset over the Defenders shows they can hang with D.C., even if their performance since that victory make a win unlikely. However, if Ta’amu plays mistake-free, D.C. could pull away, so this is a lean, not a lock.
The under is the safer play, given San Antonio’s recent low-scoring trend. Given that San Antonio has not scored a touchdown in 9 quarters, it will be up to D.C. to do the bulk of the scoring for the over to hit. Unless D.C.’s offense suddenly clicks for 30+ points, this game likely stays in the low 30’s or below.