By: Royce Waxenfelter (MEM) and Amirah (STL)
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 St. Louis Battlehawks travel down the river today to take on the cross-conference foe Memphis Showboats. Both have seen their struggles so far this season, and both have made moves to rectify them. St. Louis sit in a playoff bubble seat entering this match-up, while Memphis looks to dampen those hopes. Who will win? Let’s break things down!
Quarterbacks
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Both starting QBs in this game got late starts to the season but have shown value in their limited action. Memphis QB Dresser Winn continues to impress with his decision making and ability to scamper when needed. Max Duggan for the Battlehawks is even more impressive on the run. Though he is more sporadic with his passes, has shown he is a game-changer when he tucks and runs.
Advantage: Push
Amirah Razman (STL)
Last week’s 12-6 victory over Arlington wasn’t a pretty one. Max Duggan seemed to struggle in the beginning, but a few snaps was all he needed to get into a groove. Duggan continues to overthrow his receivers. Whether due to nerves or lack of comfortability, we don’t know, but he is great running the ball. Duggan went 7/19 for 93 yards and a touchdown last week.
Dresser Winn, on the other hand, seemed as if he would be Memphis’ savior two weeks ago after getting their first win against Birmingham. They were close last week to accomplishing that same feat before losing to Houston by one point. Winn is credited for 22/34 for 207 yards and a touchdown last week. He is clearly giving Memphis some unexpected light. However, Duggan seems to be getting used to the QB1 role, as the Battlehawks have won 2 straight games with Max Duggan under center. Both QBs have potential to contribute greatly this weekend.
Advantage: Push
Running Backs
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Showboat Wes Hills showed us all last week what we have been missing, making a successful return from the torn quad injury he suffered last season. The one-two punch of Hills and Deneric Prince helps balance the Showboats offense which had been suffering from lack of balance prior to Week 6. For St. Louis, Jacob Saylors has the luxury of running behind the best O-line in the UFL and has taken full advantage, leading the league in rushing yards with 312 and TDs with 6.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Amirah Razman (STL)
Jacob Saylors has been pretty quiet since Hakeem Butler returned to the starting lineup. However, Saylors put up some incredible run plays last week and is a guy that is able to move the ball quickly. It should be fairly easy for him to run through Memphis’ (lack of) defense, and I hope he gets a touchdown as well (which he hasn’t had since week two).
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Daewood Davis’s return made the resent resurgence of Dee Anderson a highly valuable commodity on the trade market, so they sent Mr. Anderson to San Antonio for Cornerback Darius Phillips. Memphis still has a receiving room that rivals the Battlehawks. Alongside Daewood Davis and early season superstar Jonathan Adams, Kwamie Lassiter and Isaiah Washington have shown glimpses of greatness.
TE Jay Jay Wilson caught a TD pass last week to show off his veteran savvy. For the Battlehawks, no one is better at catching the deep ball than Hakeem Butler. If you want quick points, launch it long and deep in his direction, chances are, Butler will use his length to an unfair advantage. Jahcour Pearson is the speedy counterpart who can outrace most DBs to the open spot. Even with the QBs in St Louis changing guard often, the steady rock in the red zone is TD grabbing Tight End Jake Sutherland. This one is super close, but fittingly, the Battlehawks win the battle in the air.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Amirah Razman (STL)
Hakeem Butler is really showing why he is the reigning OPOY. Last week, Butler had 6 targets, a reception for 30 yards and a touchdown. Even though it was a messy game, Butler can contribute when it comes down to the wire. Dee Anderson for Memphis being up against one of the UFL’s biggest stars is going to really hurt Memphis here.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Offensive Line
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
The o-line of Memphis has shown vast improvement over last year but still has momentary lapses of reason that allow penetrating defenders to reach the QB like they did on the game changing sack turned scoop and score against the Roughnecks in Week 6. Meanwhile, St. Louis’ o-line is right at the top with Michigan vying for best in the league. Guard Abdul Beecham’s return from injury last week gave Duggan even more time to make decisions during their Week 6 Renegade squash.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Amirah Razman (STL)
STL’s offensive line has slowed down in recent weeks, and a lot of that has to do with Abdul Beecham’s recent absence with an injury (and is now on Injured Reserve). Losing Beecham will hurt the offensive line a lot, as he is able to effectively block players for an extended period of time, which allowed Manny Wilkins to make the explosive plays he did prior to his injury. However, I believe the Knights of Colombo will be able to fare just fine — expect Juwann Bushell-Beatty and Steven Gonzalez to step up this week.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Defensive Line
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
With Big John Atkins and P.J. Hall done for the season due to injury, Memphis’s depth isn’t quite the danger it was earlier in the season. Boogie Roberts, Nasir Player, Izayah Green-May, Josiah Bronson, and Jaylon Allen still make for an imposing force though, they just need the Memphis offense to give them breathing room in order to make the impact they are capable of. For St. Louis, Freedom Akinmoladun and T.J. Pesefea don’t fill up the stat sheet but they keep the pressure on so the Linebackers a D-Backs can snipe at will. Battlehawks DT Isaiah Mack saw his first UFL action last week and made a sack, a tackle for loss and a couple tackles as the placeholder for injured Austin Faoliu. Faoliu is the best interior D-lineman in the league so if he returns it’ll give them some much needed depth.
Advantage: Memphis Showboats
Amirah Razman (STL)
There is no debate here — STL’s defensive line continues to make MAJOR plays across the board, coming up big several times last week with 3 turnovers. They’ve been on fire this season, and it helped them a lot that they were up against a stagnant Arlington offense. Given Memphis’ offensive performance, it should be easy for the D-line to continue to do what they’re doing.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Linebackers
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
While Showboats Steele Chambers and Zeke Vandenburgh have dominated the middle this year, the late surging former Saint Andrew Dowell has provided this team with another good blitz option. Chambers trails only Panther Frank Ginda in tackles so far this season. Battlehawks linebacker Pita Taumoepenu leads the UFL in sacks. Having played together for several seasons, Pita, along with Willie Harvey, Travis Feeney, Mike Rose, Carson Wells, and Chris Garrett make up the deepest and most consistent linebacker room in the UFL.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Amirah Razman (STL)
Willie Harvey was responsible for one of 3 turnovers last week, and he continues to be one of the Battlehawks’ biggest lights on defense. The star of the show, however, was Pita Taumoepenu, who is a quarterback’s biggest nightmare. He was not afraid to sack Luis Perez countless times last week and forced two fumbles last week, which earned him the honor of being the UFL’s Defensive Player of the Week. Memphis is about to run into a nightmare situation with Taumoepenu and the rest of the LB corps.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Defensive Backs
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
The trade Memphis made for cornerback Darius Phillips should help them generate more take-a-ways during the remaining four games, but it may be too little, too late. At this point in the season the entire defense only has one turnover, an interception by Safety Eli Walker. They are desperate for more though. Battlehawks Defensive Backs Qwennterrio Cole, Chris Payton-Jones, Kameron Kelly, and Lukas Denis have been more opportunistic this season, stealing 6 passes from opposing QBs while swatting down 19 more.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Amirah Razman (STL)
Qwynterrio Cole came up big last week with nine tackles (a new team-high) and a forced fumble. The Battlehawks’ secondary could be beefed up a little more, especially after a few close calls that could’ve given Arlington a greater nudge. I’m not worried this week though — the DBs just have to make sure they can cover players out of the backfield, and Memphis’ passing game won’t be all that great.
Advantage: St. Louis Battlehawks
Win and Score Predictions
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
Advantage Count: St. Louis Battlehawks (5), Memphis Showboats (1), Push (1)
Battlehawks win on paper by a large margin. The last time I figured the Showboats would lose big, however, they upset the Stallions in Birmingham. I can’t help but think this scrappy group of competitors will find a way to somehow stay close in a game where they should get blown out. St. Louis, 25-21.
Amirah Razman (STL)
Advantage Count: St. Louis Battlehawks (6), Memphis Showboats (0), Push (1)
This one should be an easy win, but you can never be too certain. The Battlehawks have had their own fair share of struggles, but they are certainly the better team on paper. If Max Duggan can learn to be comfortable in the pocket sooner and have trust in his o-line, this could very well be a high-scoring game. I’m not worried about the defense, as they should be able to stop a struggling Memphis offense. St. Louis, 35-6.
Betting Predictions
Line: Battlehawks (-5.5) O/U: 39.5
Royce Waxenfelter (MEM)
With the over/under at 39.5, I am taking the over… but not by much. Both defenses are solid. The Battlehawks are favored by 5.5, which is nearly exactly what I predicted they’d win by. I’d lean toward them covering based on talent alone if I absolutely had to put money on it.
Amirah Razman (STL)
I’ll take the over easily. I think STL will have some explosive offensive plays this week — plays we haven’t seen since before Wilkins’ injury. They’ll cover the spread as well.
