The First Week of the UFL Season is finally here. After the 2023 season were the USFL and XFL went head-to-head, and a merger in 2024 season, the UFL marches on into their 2nd season with Kickoff Weekend beginning with the St. Louis Battlehawks taking on the Houston Roughnecks.
Weather: Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 67F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Location: TDECU Stadium Houston, TX 8PM (ET) Kickoff March 28th, 2025 on FOX
Betting Odds Per Draftkings (March 26th):
Spread: Battlehawks -6
Moneyline: Battlehawks -278, Roughnecks +225
Over/Under: 37.6
Depth Chart:
Injury Report:
Inactives:
Three Keys to Victory:
Consistency at Quarterback:
The Battlehawks venture into the 2025 season with a bit of an unknown at the sports most important position. Manny Wilkins is slated to make his 3rd career start after working his way up the depth chart going back to 2023. The former ASU alum owns a 1-1 record with a 1:3 TD:INT ratio, however St. Louis could sprinkle in Max Duggan as well. In spring football, it’s not uncommon for QBs to have a short leash and it’s very possible both QBs are keeping the “seat” warm for 1st Round Pick Chevan Cordiero.
Keeping The Pressure On:
The Roughnecks are slated to start Anthony Brown at QB, an NFL veteran who has 150 Pass attempts (49 Reg Season, 101 Preseason), across Three years. With Brown being one of the more experienced QBs in the UFL Saint Louis will have to take advantage of a Roughnecks Offensive Line that is dealing with injuries. If the Battlehawks are able to maximize their EDGE Rushers in a 3-man front don’t be surprised if Coach CJ Johnson opts for the more mobile Nolan Henderson this week.
What is the Roughnecks Identity:
Since 2022 the Roughnecks (22/23 Gamblers), have been a team that has relayed heavily on their rushing attack and stout Defense. In 2024, Houston had no true identity with the regression of Mark Thompson, inconsistency at QB, and a Defense that underwhelmed. Relaying heavily on a new roster buoyed by young talent through the UFL Draft, the Roughnecks may be in line for a slow start that yields similar results from the 2024 season.
Closing Thoughts and Prediction:
While the 2025 season underway, the Battlehawks seem to be in a season of change and transition. While the team still rosters a veteran centered team, the team did try to get younger at QB and Offensive Line. With so much change in the off-season for Saint Louis, the team is being thrown a “softball” with taking on the Houston Roughnecks who many believe to be one of the UFL’s worst teams this year. Overall, while it may not be pretty, I expect the Battlehawks to take care of business defeating Houston 23-12 to open the season 1-0.
2 Comments
by Ken Granito
Great job with the depth charts and injury report. Those of us that do fantasy really need those. Hey, overall I like pretty much every team in the league. I definitely prefer Michigan and Birmingham, but I wish well for all the other teams, so for me I kind of don’t care who wins tonight, although I have the Roughnecks and the points. As you mentioned quarterback play will have a lot to do with the outcome of this game. Surely the Battlehawks can beat the spread as they have the weapons, but do they have the right guy pushing the buttons. Were AJ McCarron at QB this game maybe wouldn’t even have to be played so I agree that Quarterback play for both teams is going to be something to be looked at. I tell you now, wanting the league to be successful, I would love it if Anthony Becht and Dave Boller gave a call to former Missouri star Chase Daniel. I understand he is retired and 38, but not he would be experienced and accurate and with these weapons at his disposal, he would be someone that fans can really get behind and maybe it would do for him what it did for McCarron in that he was able to play one last time. If that is something that won’t work, how about Jeff Driskel. He is likely in good shape as he is looking to sign on with a NFL squad. He can run and pass and has had good success in the NFL. For him it might be a chance to play again instead of 3rd string, while also giving him a chance to showcase what he can for the NFL and the next team that signs him. He is likely set for life so for real this is really about football. To me if the Battlehawks win 17-10 all will stay status quo, but if the Roughnecks blow out the Battlehawks the search an experienced quarterback begins. I know I am a dreamer, but really it makes sense.
by Ken Granito
I think I just heard Reid Sinnett let out a sigh of relief.