Wounded Brahmas Limp into Ford Field to Face the Panthers

By: RJ Reid

Overview

San Antonio Brahmas vs. Michigan Panthers – Week 3

Game Date: April 13, 2025
Kickoff Time: 11:00pm CST
Location: Ford Field, Detroit MI

The San Antonio Brahmas (0-2) continue their 4-game road trip to start the 2025 UFL season. They travel to the Motor City to face the Michigan Panthers (1-1).  This will be San Antonio’s first game against a USFL Conference opponent. This could be just what the doctor ordered to get the Brahmas back on the right track.

Series History

The Brahmas lead the series 1-0.

Brahmas Overview

The San Antonio Brahmas enter Week 3 with an 0-2 record. They lost to the Arlington Renegades (33-9) and St. Louis Battlehawks (26-9). Their offense has struggled significantly, averaging just 9 points per game. Quarterback Kellen Mond has completed 30 of 58 passes for 288 yards, zero passing touchdowns, and one interception. Across these games, he has shown difficulty finding rhythm. The running game, led by John Lovett and Jashaun Corbin, has been a bright spot but lacks consistency. Defensively, the Brahmas have allowed 347 rushing yards, second only to the Houston Roughnecks, indicating a vulnerability against ground attacks. Coach Wade Phillips will lean on his defensive expertise, but the offense needs a spark to avoid an 0-3 start.

The Brahmas are the only team in the XFL Conference without a win. Only the top two teams in each conference make the playoffs. The Brahmas are now two games behind each team. Both Arlington and St. Louis also have the tiebreaker over San Antonio. With only 8 games remaining, each game is extremely important, and this game should be considered a must win.

https://twitter.com/JamesLarsenPFN/status/1909417689749004737

Panthers Overview

The Michigan Panthers are 1-1 after a 22-9 victory over the Memphis Showboats in Week 1. They followed that with a tough loss at home to the Birmingham Stallions, 21-12. Their offense, led by quarterback Bryce Perkins, showed balance with 120 rushing yards. Perkins’ passing was decent, going 12-23 and 132 yards passing, one touchdown and one interception. The Panthers’ 120 total rushing yards against a very good Stallions defense suggest a strong ground game. Curiously, the Panthers made a trade with the Houston Roughnecks. They traded away perhaps their best offensive weapon in wide receiver Marcus Simms.

https://twitter.com/USFLPanthers/status/1908357471854276908

Defensively, they limited Birmingham to 21 points. Considering the firepower of the Stallions, this was a great defensive effort. D. J. Miller’s two interceptions and a stout front seven that could exploit San Antonio’s offensive line woes. At 1-1, they’ll aim to leverage home-field advantage at Ford Field to improve to 2-1.

Key Matchups

1. Brahmas QB Kellen Mond vs. Panthers Secondary. Mond’s 51.7% completion rate faces a good Panthers secondary. Featuring Nacua and Levonta Taylor, they combined for three pass breakups in Week 1. Limiting Mond’s downfield options is crucial.
2. Panthers RB Nate McCrary vs. Brahmas Front Seven. McCrary’s’ 53 yards on 14 carries in Week 2 tests a Brahmas defense that’s allowed significant rushing totals. San Antonio’s linebackers, like Tavante Beckett, must contain him.
3. Brahmas OL vs. Panthers DL. San Antonio’s offensive line has yielded pressure. Michigan’s Bradlee Anae and Kyahva Tezino can disrupt plays. Protection for Mond is pivotal.
4. Panthers QB Bryce Perkins vs. Brahmas Pass Rush. Perkins’ mobility (30 yards) challenges a Brahmas defense with Prince Emili’s sack potential. Containing his legs could force passing errors.

Keys to Victory for the Brahmas

1. Establish the Run. Jashaun Corbin and John Lovett must exceed 100 combined rushing yards to control the clock and reduce pressure on Mond.
2. Protect Mond. The offensive line needs to neutralize Michigan’s pass rush, allowing Mond time to find receivers like Jontre Kirkland.
3. Force Turnovers. The defense, leveraging Phillips’ scheme, must force Perkins into situations where he could throw ill-advised throws to shift momentum.
4. Third-Down Efficiency. Converting only 29% of third downs this season kills drives and tires out their defense.  Converting at a much higher percentage will leave Michigan’s defense on the field, causing them to tire.

X-Factor

Offensive Coordinator A. J. Smith stepped down from his duties. Peyton Pardee will take over as the new Offensive Coordinator. Former Brahma tight end Cody Latimer will join the team as the new Wide Receiver/Tight Ends coach. How will the Brahmas respond to all these sudden changes?

https://twitter.com/XFLBrahmas/status/1910512707444584774

Sometimes teams respond favorably to coaching changes and improve. Sometimes it’s quite the opposite and the team crumbles even further into disrepair. Time will tell which fork in the road the team takes.

Prediction Accountability

Before I get into my predictions for this week, it’s time for me to hold myself accountable for last week’s predictions.  Let’s see how I did:

1. Brahmas Score on Their Opening Possession.
   1. Incorrect.  The Brahmas punted on their first possession.
2. Manny Wilkins Throws an Early Deep Ball to Hakeem Butler.
   1. Incorrect.  Hakeem Butler did not play.
3. Brahmas Defense Forces a First-Half Turnover.
   1. Incorrect.  The Brahmas did not record a single takeaway.
4. Jacob Saylors Breaks a 20+ Yard Run in the Third Quarter.
   1. Incorrect.  Saylors did not have a single carry of 20-yards or more.
5. I predicted a Battlehawks victory with a final score of 24-13.
   1. Correct about the outcome, just not the score.

So far, I have a season record of 3-7 and an overall record of 24.5-55.5.

Game Predictions

And now my predictions for Week 3:

1. Low-Scoring Affair. Both teams’ offenses have not lit the league on fire, suggesting a game under 40 total points.
2. Kellen Mond will not finish the game. Mond will start the game, but his struggles will continue. He will be pulled at some point in the game, mostly like replaced by Jarrett Guarantano.
3. Perkins Scores a Rushing TD. His mobility exploits San Antonio’s defensive focus on the pass, finding the end zone once.
4. Brahmas Defense Records 2+ Sacks. Phillips’ unit pressures Perry, but it’s not enough to overcome offensive woes.

If Kellen Mond starts the game, I don’t think that he will perform any better than he has. The offensive struggles will continue.  If San Antonio makes a switch at quarterback, I think it will provide a spark. Perhaps the Brahmas will summon enough offensive firepower to squeak by Michigan. I think Mond will start again, and the outcome will be the same as it has been this season.  I predict another Brahmas loss, but this time they will finally score double digits.  Final score: 13-11.