Week 3 of the UFL season is within the books. And the enjoyment of a 10-week common season signifies that the mathematics is straightforward to do: We’re (checks abacus) 30% of the best way to the playoffs.
We now have a pair of groups with 3-0 information, two others at 0-3. After which two apiece at 2-1 and 1-2. So how do the groups stack up? I’ve used a wide range of significant metrics to rank the groups by efficiency that I am going to cross alongside to you, the loyal readers.
Plus, even right here within the northeast, it is spring! This sunny climate has upped my cheery demeanor, and I wish to cross that alongside to all of you. So, I am going to give a stat on every staff that their followers must be enthusiastic about.
Bounce to a staff:
BIR | CLB | DAL | DC
HOU | LOU | ORL | SL
1. Dallas Renegades (3-0)
What we have discovered: After double-digit wins to begin the season over the Gamblers and Battlehawks, the Renegades fell behind early, however got here again to beat the Aviators by 5. Dallas has scored at the least 28 factors in all three video games, which is much more spectacular when you think about that the league’s different seven groups have mixed to take action 5 instances this season.
Stat to excite: Austin Reed’s 763 passing yards. That is essentially the most within the three-year UFL historical past for a QB three video games into the season. So are his 9 passing touchdowns.
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Columbus Aviators vs. Dallas Renegades: Recreation Highlights
Columbus Aviators vs. Dallas Renegades: Recreation Highlights
2. DC Defenders (2-1)
What we have discovered: However you mentioned there have been two 3-0 groups? It is true, however DC is forward of certainly one of them. After a troublesome street loss to St. Louis to open their season (the league’s hardest street venue), the Defenders have received their subsequent two video games by a mixed rating of 89-33. The Defenders get an opportunity for revenge Saturday afternoon once they host the aforementioned Battlehawks.
Stat to excite: Deon Jackson’s 6.8 yards per rush. Jackson’s the main rusher within the UFL by a 82 yards, however the extra spectacular quantity is he is averaging practically 7 yards per rush. His 5 dashing touchdowns are additionally greater than twice as many as another participant this season.
3. Orlando Storm (3-0)
What we discovered: How can a staff win in extra time with out scoring in extra time? It isn’t a riddle, it is what occurred to the Storm in Week 3. A crash course within the league’s extra time guidelines apart, the Storm have a win over the Aviators and two over the Kings this season, groups nearer to the underside of those rankings. We’ll discover out much more about Orlando when it takes on the Stallions on the street in Week 4.
Stat to excite: Jack Plummer’s 8.6 yards per cross try. Whereas Reed is placing up gaudy numbers, Plummer has quietly been the league’s most effective quarterback, main all passers with at the least 20 makes an attempt in yards per try and in completion share (70.9%).
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Harrison Frost throws a troublesome landing cross to Steven McBride for St. Louis
Harrison Frost with landing cross to Steven McBride vs. Birmingham Stallions.
4. St. Louis Battlehawks (2-1)
What we have discovered: After a 16-point street loss to the Renegades, the Battlehawks got here out on prime at residence in opposition to the Stallions in maybe the sport of the season, scoring 21 factors within the fourth quarter with backup QB Harrison Frost, who began his UFL profession with back-to-back interceptions earlier than finishing 9 of his remaining 12 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns.
Stat to excite: Their 11-1 residence file. It isn’t an undeserved popularity that St. Louis has the very best home-field benefit within the league. For you betting aficionados, they’ve received all 4 of their video games as a house underdog outright, together with final Sunday.
5. Birmingham Stallions (1-2)
What we have discovered: After squeaking by the Kings in Week 1, the Stallions have misplaced to the Gamblers and Battlehawks, as Matt Corral has thrown a pair of interceptions in each video games. In regular-season UFL video games, Corral has 11 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The schedule will get harder — within the subsequent three weeks they’ve dates with the undefeated Storm and the defending champion Defenders.
Stat to excite: Birmingham’s 28.6 opponents’ pink zone landing share. A bend-but-don’t-break philosophy on protection may be irritating, however holding a staff to 3 factors as an alternative of seven might be the important thing to getting Birmingham again the place we anticipated previous to the season.
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Matt Corral makes a cross excessive to increase the Birmingham lead
Matt Corral with landing cross to John Ross vs. St. Louis BattleHawks.
6. Louisville Kings (0-3)
What we have discovered: The Kings are two performs away from being 2-1 after two-point losses to the Stallions and Storm. Every week after getting benched, Jason Bean answered with a 352-yard, three-touchdown, no-interception recreation within the extra time loss. He is the fourth QB in league historical past with a 350-yard, three-TD recreation, however the first to do it in a loss.
Stat to excite: Louisville’s 5.8 yards per play. You may not suppose there’s a lot to get enthusiastic about in a 0-3 begin, however main the UFL in yards per play and rating third in yards per play allowed (4.9) indicators there’s an opportunity of development to the imply.
7. Columbus Aviators (0-3)
What we discovered: After getting smoked by the Defenders in Week 2, the Aviators seemed downright spunky in a five-point street loss to the undefeated Renegades with out coach Ted Ginn Jr. Their struggling protection confirmed indicators of enchancment in opposition to the league’s prime offense, however they’re nonetheless permitting greater than 30 factors per recreation.
Stat to excite: The Aviators allowed 4.5 yards per play in opposition to Dallas, which could not seem to be an important quantity, however that was after permitting 6.6 in every of the primary two video games of the season. The league common is 5.1 yards per play.
8. Houston Gamblers (1-2)
What we have discovered: Simply having a victory is just not sufficient to remain out of the basement, particularly when your losses are by 19 and 38 factors. The 38-point margin final week in opposition to DC was the most important loss within the league’s temporary historical past. With quarterbacks Nolan Henderson and Hunter Dekkers out with damage, Taulia Tagovailoa went 21-of-40 for 171 yards and was sacked 4 instances within the loss.
Stat to excite: John Hoyland is 6 for six on discipline targets. He was good in Week 2’s upset win over Birmingham together with the game-winner from 50 yards, earlier than not making an attempt one within the Week 3 blowout loss.
