UFL Week 1 was filled with a couple of surprises. However, myself and the rest of the UFL Gambling Podcast nailed down most of the games. I went 3-1 on the weekend on spreads and Moneyline. We learned some things about a couple of the teams, while others looked like they didn’t miss a beat. Let’s take a look at the UFL Week 2 picks, predictions, and best bets.
UFL Week 2 Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets
San Antonio Brahmas (-2) @ Memphis Showboats, Total: 40
Both of these teams may have surprised some last week. I thought both would win, and the Brahmas were my dog pick. However, I didn’t think they’d be able to move the ball as efficiently as they did. Sure, AJ Smith’s offense was good last year at the beginning, but it eventually became predictable.
For the Showboats, I didn’t expect their offense to struggle as much and their defense to be so good. They didn’t allow Houston to do much and forced multiple turnovers. If they can get the offense going, they could cause problems for a lot of teams.
However, in the UFL Week 2 bets and predictions, this is the one game I can’t get a full read on. The total will likely go under. I think the Brahmas are going to be able to get at least two more weeks of being able to move the ball easily before defenses figure them out. I just can’t, in good faith, pick a side on this one. Although, it should be a really good game to watch.
Arlington Renegades @ St. Louis Battlehawks (-5), Total: 41.5
There was a lot of hype with both these teams coming into the UFL season. The Arlington Renegades are the returning 2023 XFL Champions. The Battlehawks felt they should have been in the big game. I expected the Renegades to get handled by the Stallions last week. However, I didn’t expect the Battlehawks to struggle.
A.J. McCarron is the most experienced quarterback in this league. Sure, Luis Perez has been in spring football for multiple years and learned how to play football on TV. Still, he’s no McCarron.
Last year, the Battlehawks were great at home. They had 30,000 screaming fans at every game, making the dome loud. Going back home to play against a team that could be one of the worst in the 2024 UFL league.
The Battlehawks were able to find success last year and they’ll be able to find it again. They went 7-3 last year and while Week 1 gives me doubts they can repeat that, I don’t think they’ll fall to the Renegades. Pressure Perez, and he becomes very mid. The Battlehawks are one of my favorite UFL Week 2 picks for my best bets.
UFL Week 2 Best Bet: Battlehawks (-5) Win by 8+.
Birmingham Stallions (-6.5) @ Michigan Panthers, Total: 41.5
The Stallions opened as the favorites in this UFL season. They were also favorites the last two years in the USFL. They won both of those years. Looking at the rosters they have the least amount of turnover in the league.
Even with their starting quarterback, J’Mar Smith, returning, they turned the reins over to Matt Corrall. He ran the offense very efficiently.
The Panthers’ offense looked a little lost outside of Wes Hills. Yes, EJ Perry scrambled for two touchdowns, but he started down receivers much too often and didn’t make many good throws. Their defense, on the other hand, looked like the best defense in the league. I don’t think their offense can keep up with the Stallions, but their defense could slow the Stallions’ offense.
The Stallions should be able to beat them easily. The key word is should. I think they win, but can this strong defense and 64-yard kicking field goal kicker keep it close?
I don’t want all this talk of the Panthers’ defense to overshadow the fact that the Stallions have a really good defense as well. That’s why I think the UFL Week 2 pick for this game is to take the under.
UFL Week 2 Best Bet: Under 41.5 points
Houston Roughnecks @ DC Defenders (-5), Total: 41
The last UFL Week 2 game will see Houston hit the road to another team that had a great home-field advantage in the DC Defenders. They were also one of the better teams in the league. However, Jordan Ta’amu tends to be a gunslinger who makes a lot of mistakes. Which is exactly why I thought they would lose last week.
This week is a different story. While I thought Jarrett Guarantano wasn’t terrible, his offensive line was terrible. There are a couple of UFL Week 2 picks I like in this game. The under is tempting, given that both of these teams struggled to move the ball efficiently on offense.
However, I think the biggest advantage will be a DC bounceback. The Defenders’ home stadium will be rocking, and the beer snake will be growing.
UFL Week 2 Best Bet: DC Defenders Moneyline, DC Defenders (-5)
