The UFL is entering its ninth week, and the opportunity to make money on it is still available. We’re just a couple of weeks from the playoffs! This week, we’ll be looking to see if the Stallions can keep rolling or if they rest players. Will Arlington get revenge on St. Louis? Let’s take a look at the UFL Week 9 picks, predictions, and best bets.
To add to the fun, we’re going to start a running bank total of fake money. Each week, there will be $10,000 in bets. Because who doesn’t have $10,000 lying around to bet on the UFL? I’m not telling you to bet $10K. I’m just showing you how I would split the unit on these games. Last week, we went 2-2. Also, just about hit the Houston Moneyline pick. They were so close! Let’s see what UFL Week 9 best bets action holds.
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UFL Week 9 Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets
St. Louis Battlehawks (-3) @ Arlington Renegades, Total: 46
St. Louis is still playing for home-field advantage. However, AJ McCarron is still out. While they were able to get the win last week without him, that was at home in the Battledome. It’s a lot different going on the road to get wins in front of the opposing teams’ crowd.
Arlington has had a really bad season. The returning XFL Champions have only managed to win one game all season. Still, Bob Stoops is an experienced coach who will make sure his guys don’t lose focus. Not to mention, guys like Luis Perez are trying their best to push their way back into the NFL. Wins go a long way for that. Especially upset wins.
Manny Wilkins looked alright last week. However, I think Arlington is going to be motivated. Not to mention, the UFL either needs the Battlehawks and Brahmas to both win or lose. Otherwise, Week 10 is meaningless. This is the only narrative that keeps the UFL games still relative.
The Renegades almost beat the Battlehawks in the Dome with AJ McCarron earlier this year. They get the job done this weekend.
UFL Week 9 Best Bet: Renegades (+3), $2,000 / Renegades Moneyline $1,000
Birmingham Stallions (-8.5) @ San Antonio Brahmas, Total: 44
The Stallions don’t have much to play for. Due to a scheduling conflict with Michigan’s home stadium, they already have home-field advantage wrapped up in the playoffs, even if they finish with a worse record than the Panthers. However, this is a team that’s chasing Spring Football utopia. They don’t want to look down the mountain they’ve climbed up just yet and are looking for the perfect season.
The Brahmas have also clinched the playoffs already. Whether they play in San Antonio or St. Louis is still to be determined. However, this team feels fraudulent. They now have multiple wins where they were outgained in yardage by a decent amount. That’s not a sustainable football model.
Chase Garbers is active and the plan is to switch between him and Quintin Dormady. Even though Anthony McFarland looked good in his return last week and John Lovett is inactive. However, they also need to work on staying healthy for the playoffs. Of all the teams, San Antonio has the biggest hill to climb. However, the Stallions are a cut above the rest.
UFL Week 9 Best Bet: Stallions -8.5 ($2,000)
DC Defenders (-5) @ Memphis Showboats, Total 46
Putting it nicely in the UFL Week 9 picks write-up, this game means nothing. Neither team is in the playoffs. They’ve both had disappointing years and they’ve both underperformed. Which bad team is worse? That seems like an easy question to answer. The Showboats are the worst team in the league.
The Defenders had a lot of home after such a strong season last year. They made it all the way to the championship game before losing to Arlington. Ta’amu looks to have taken a step back. However, his supporting cast hasn’t seemed like it has a ton of talent and the offensive line has been bad.
Speaking of bad offensive lines, none have been worse than the Showboats. I expected DC’s defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to dial up some pressure to take advantage of the bad offensive line and force turnovers. This may be he and Reggie Barlow’s last hurrah after such a disappointing year.
I don’t like this game, but I think the Defenders are a much better team.
UFL Week 9 Best Bet: Defenders (-5) $1,000
Michigan Panthers (-3.5) @ Houston Roughnecks, Total: 40
The key to this game is simple. The Houston Roughnecks just played their Super Bowl last week, trying to beat the undefeated Stallions, and lost. The Panthers are proving they deserve to be in the playoffs against a team like the Stallions. Sure, they have the playoffs wrapped up but it still feels like they need to continue to prove themselves to get ready for Birmingham.
If I’m the coaching staff for the Panthers, I’m encouraging these guys to put their foot on the gas pedal and keep it pressed down the entire game. They need their guys to get as much confidence as possible going into the playoff game. Plus, getting more in-game experience and rapport for Bryce Perkins seems crucial.
The Roughnecks had a rough year under Curtis Johnson. He will likely not return next year. They’ve had some moments where they’ve looked good, especially on defense. Mark Thompson has looked good as well. However, they seem to shoot themselves in the foot often. This could be an ugly game.
UFL Week 9 Best Bet: Panthers (-3.5) $2,000 / Under 40 ($2,000)
