By: Royce Waxenfelter (MEM) and Drew Wells (DC)
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!
Coach Ken Whisenhunt’s surprise return to his team after a 1-game leave of absence for personal reasons will energize the Showboats and help offset the frenzied D.C. crowd, but will it be enough to overcome the Defenders team who just took out the UFL Champion Stallions on Sunday?
Quarterbacks
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Memphis used a dual-headed QB approach in week 1, splitting drives between E.J. Perry and Troy Williams. Both had below average games, with Williams leading in pass yards (104) and completion percentage (73%). They each threw an INT but Williams appeared more poised in the pocket. Williams had zero rushing attempts against the Panthers; expect him to run often to escape D.C.’s Blitz. Meanwhile, Perry proved shaky at times under pressure; if he starts to panic-throw again in game 2 the Showboats will opt for more playing time for Troy Williams. For the Defenders, QB Jordan Ta’Amu led D.C. to a massive upset over the Stallions in week 1. Ta’Amu’s league-high 211 pass yards in Week 1 foreshadow what is in-store for the Showboats.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Drew Wells (D.C.)
The Defenders had a surprise party at the expense of Birmingham last week, and Jordan Ta’Amu led it. He wasn’t very efficient at all but still passed for over 200 yards. With a supportive running game, I expect to see more yardage against a seemingly middling Memphis defense. As far as the ‘Boats QB situation, EJ Perry gets rattled by pressure easily and makes mistakes, while their backup waits in the wings for more game time.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Running Backs
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Ex-Kansas City Chief Deneric Prince had a solid showing in his 1st game with the Boats, putting up 38 yards on 10 carries. His counterpart Jalen Jackson didn’t fare as well, contributing only 24 yards in 11 attempts. Expect more rushing opportunities for Defenders Running Back Abram Smith than he had in week 1. Even against a stout Showboats D-line he should be able to out-gain the Showboats tandem.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Drew Wells (D.C.)
There was a bit of RB by committee going on in D.C. last weekend against the Stallions. Six different RBs had carries, totaling just less than 100 collective yards. Having both the run and pass going really boosted this team. Memphis’ crew ran for 71 yards total on 3.8 YPC. That’s not a recipe for success.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Showboat Jonathan Adams led all UFL receivers in Week 1, grabbing 6 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. He is good enough to win any match-up 1-on-1. Kwamie Lassiter will help take the pressure off and will be a safe option when D.C. doubles Adams. TEs Jay Jay Wilson and Ryan Izzo will likely see a lot of quick dump passes heading their way when D.C. blitzes. For D.C., Ty Scott and Chris Rowland had good performances out of the gate but I expect Memphis to hinder them to fewer catches and yards.
Advantage: Memphis Showboats
Drew Wells (D.C.)
The Defenders’ top 5 receiving leaders last week all averaged over 11.5 YPC. With three different players making receptions of 35, 26, and 24 yards, there’s plenty of firepower in that area. All of that in a 211 yard passing game that was led by a QB with a 46% completion rate. For Memphis, league leader Jonathon Adams (93 yds., TD) and Kwamie Brown bring the heat on the outside. The overall talent at this position is a push, but the depth of D.C. really should show in this game.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Offensive Line
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
The Showboats O-line did a fantastic job shutting out Defensive Player of the Year Breeland Speaks who ended with zero tackles or sacks. Will they able to keep that wall intact against the blitz happy Defenders? Not if the Defenders’ defenders maintain the ferocity they had in game 1. The Defenders protected Ta’Amu well, limiting Birmingham to only 1 sack and 3 TFLs.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Drew Wells (D.C.)
For D.C., the OL group really put on a relative clinic against one of the most respected (if not the most) DL squads in the league. Having success in both the run and pass games is almost always a result of the offensive line doing the dirty work necessary to succeed. Memphis has a ton of solid talent on their front, comparatively. They neutralized a league-leading defender last week, but still the offense didn’t bare sharpened teeth. Purely based on last week’s performances, I’d say the Defenders have the edge.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Defensive Line
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Against the Panthers Boogie Roberts and John Atkins clogged up the middle and edge rusher Jaylen Allen put the hurt on Panthers QBs. The well-rounded D-line used a deep rotation to limit the Panthers to under 100 yards rushing but a few missed tackles near the goal-line wasted the solid effort. D.C. forced Alex McGough to run on one out of every four plays and accounted for 5 of the Defender’s 8 sacks.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Drew Wells (D.C.)
When you have 9 TFLs, with 8 being sacks, your defensive line is CRUISING. D.C. defensive linemen were making individual plays, taking up blockers so others could make plays, and playing very well within their scheme. That’s going to be a tough unit for anyone to beat up on through the season if that holds up. Memphis’ DL unit is nothing to sneeze at either, as they made life tough on the Panthers’ offense in what ultimately was a losing effort. Both great position groups for these squads, but D.C.’s is just on another level after that first week.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Linebackers
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Steele Chambers had 10 tackles for Memphis and his ability to stop the run is a welcome addition to this revamped position. Zeke Vandenburgh also had some nice stops but both Showboats Linebackers need to improve against the pass. D.C. is much deeper at the position, led by Deontay Anderson and supported by Kionte Thomas, Anthony Hines, Ferrod Gardner and Momo Sanogo.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Drew Wells (D.C.)
The Defenders had three linebackers in the top four leading tacklers for their team last week. Hines III won DPoW (shout out to Matt McCrane winning Special Teams PoW with a 4 FG performance), but it was a whole effort by those linebackers to fill the gaps that the defensive line was freeing up for them to run through. Memphis’ defensive strategy seems to be to stop the run first as a priority. The pass game is a weakness for these linebackers as Royce pointed out above, but if they can shut down the run we will find out exactly how good or bad the D.C. passing offense is.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Defensive Backs
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Showboats Eli Walker, Kyree Woods, Lance Boykin, and Mark Gilbert did a solid job limiting Saosi Mariner to a sub-standard performance, yet the WR depth of the Panthers ended up finding holes in the backfield when it counted. Expect Memphis DBs to be better against the less-dynamic D.C. WRs. I believe we’ll see at least 2 INTs from the Memphis DBs in Week 2. For D.C., Strong Safety Deontay Anderson had arguably the best game of the D.C. DBs with 4 solo tackles and a forced fumble. Deandre Baker contributed an INT and 2 pass-break-ups. Bryce Thompson had a solid game 1 as well.
Advantage: Push
Drew Wells (D.C.)
Deontay Anderson and Deandre Baker were all over the field last week against the Stallions. The pair created two turnovers and kept a fire lit all day, waving the flag of a conquering defense right in Birmingham’s face. Memphis had some trouble with the play makers out wide for the Panthers, but ultimately cracked under the pressure.
Advantage: D.C. Defenders
Win and Score Predictions
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Advantage Count: D.C. Defenders (5), Memphis Showboats (1), Push (1)
I project a tight, low-scoring game, with both Defenses stifling the opponent. D.C. wins the battle of the trenches. D.C., 14-11.
Drew Wells (D.C.)
Advantage Count: D.C. Defenders (7), Memphis Showboats (0), Push (0)
This game may end up looking similar to the first week for D.C. against Memphis. I don’t see the offensive line holding up against the pressure that the Defenders will bring with that front seven. D.C., 30-8.
Betting Predictions
Line: Defenders (-8.0) O/U: 37
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
With the low-score I am projecting, the score should stay closer than the 8-point spread; take the Showboats to cover. In a defensive battle like this, go with the Under.
Drew Wells (D.C.)
I like the Defenders to cover, but goodness gracious… I would stay far away from the O/U based on the total score of my prediction above. If forced, I’d take the over as neither team is close to being inept at any one position.