UFL Week 1 Picks & A Parlay!

The UFL kicks off its second season on Friday, March 28th. With several teams having major roster turnover and others returning some of the same main pieces, who will have an advantage in Week 1? Let’s take a look at some UFL Week 1 picks and a parlay!

UFL Week 1 Picks & Parlay!

St. Louis Battlehawks @ Houston Roughnecks

When and where to watch: March 28th at 8:00 PM Eastern on FOX

The Battlehawks will take the field without quarterback A.J. McCarron as their starter for the first time. Instead, it will be Manny Wilkins, who played limited snaps last year, and newcomer Max Duggan. Manny Wilkins will get the start but I expect to see both quarterbacks.

The Showboats will have Troy Williams as their starter. They return some strong defensive players like Boogie Roberts and Tenny Adewusi. They also have wide receiver Jonathan Adams, who was a star for the New Orleans Breakers.

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The Battlehawks have plenty of offensive power, including returning leading rusher Jacob Saylors. They also have one of the best receiving groups in the league with Hakeem Butler, Jahcour Pearson, Denzel Mims, Blake Jackson, Frank Darby, and Gary Jennings.

The field may get sloppy as it’s supposed to be raining all day. The wind is only around ten miles-per-hour though and I don’t think it will affect the game as much as some may fear.

UFL Week 1 picks: The team with the better all-around roster wins. Battlehawks (-6)

San Antonio Brahmas (-3) @ Arlington Renegades

When and where to watch: March 29th at 4:00 PM Eastern on FOX

The Brahmas hit the road to take on Arlington. Well, sort of. For those of you that don’t know the practice HUB is in Arlington. Therefore the Brahmas don’t have to travel anywhere to get to Arlington. It will be in front of the Renegades home crowd though.

The Brahmas have named former NFL backup Kellen Mond their quarterback. They also return Anthony McFarland and Jontre Kirklin, two standout spring ballers. My concern with the Brahmas, however, is that it takes time to build the chemistry between everybody and it may take Mond a bit to get going.

The Renegades, on the other hand, return their starting quarterback Luis Perez. He was traded to them in 2023, the year they won the XFL Championship against the Defenders, and has been the starter ever since. They also return one of the best tight ends in the league, Sal Canella.

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This is a tough one of Wade Phillips vs. Bob Stoops, however, I think the Renegades have more continuity and it helps them win the game.

UFL Week 1 picks: The team with the better all-around roster wins. Arlington ML, Arlington +3

Michigan Panthers (-5) @ Memphis Showboats

When and where to watch: March 30th at 12:00 PM Eastern on ESPN

The Michigan Panthers have announced that Bryce Perkins will be their starting quarterback this year. He’s a dual-threat guy that can help move the ball. However, the Panthers bread and butter is their defense. It was fairly dominate last year and I expect that to carry over. The biggest question will be whether the offense can put up enough points to hold their side of the bargain.

The Showboats are in a bit of a mess right now. Their head coach stepped down unexpectedly just days ago and it’s sent the team scrambling a little bit. Will they be able to compete with all the distractions of the coach leaving? Maybe they can rally, but I think the Panthers are a better team.

UFL Week 1 picks: Let’s not over think this one. Michigan (-5)

Birmingham Stallions (-7) @ DC Defenders

When and where to watch: March 30th at 3:00 PM Eastern on ESPN

The Birmingham Stallions have been the Mecca of Spring Football for the past several years. They won two USFL Championships before winning the UFL Championship last year. Now they’ll look to win a fourth straight and it may be their best quarterback room yet with Alex McGough, Matt Corrall, and Case Cookus.

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I thought DC at home would have a chance of covering in this game until the news broke late least week that head coach Reggie Barlow was leaving for the head coaching position at Tennessee State. To add to the distractions, three other coaches, including defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, will be joining him. Will their hearts be in it?

I expect this game to start to get away from DC. With the game getting away, Jordan Ta’amu has shown a tendency to force the ball down the field and turn it over (see the 2023 XFL Championship).

UFL Week 1 picks: Pick them till they lose. Stallions (-7)