UFL 2024 Week 4 Game Preview: D.C. Defenders at Birmingham Stallions
A year ago, before any pipe dreams of a merger between the XFL and USFL became reality, a fantasy matchup pitting the then 10-win D.C. Defenders and back-to-back champion Birmingham Stallions would've been a true clash of the spring's finest from opposing leagues.
A year later, the Stallions and Defenders are now league mates, getting ready to duel in what could be a preview of the UFL championship game in June.
Birmingham, winner of ten straight dating back to last season, appears better than ever. However, D.C. is not the same elite team as a year ago. The Defenders, missing three of their best players from 2023, have had to scratch and claw their way through early-season growing pains.
Reggie Barlow's troops could easily be winless at this point if not for some late-game blunders by their last two opponents, a combined 0-6 Arlington and Houston.
In Week 4, D.C. is moving up mightily in class on Saturday night against a Birmingham team built for primetime. The question is, will the new Defenders be able to level up under the bright lights against a superior opponent?
Game Info: Saturday, 7 PM ET, Protective Stadium
Television/Streaming: FOX/FOX Sports App
Betting Odds: Spread: Birmingham-8, O/U: 47
Week 4 Depth Chart
D.C. Inactives: RB Pooka Williams, RB Darius Hagans, T Jarrid Williams, DE Andre Mintze, LB Reggie Northrup, CB Isaiah Johnson, S Montae Nicholson
Birmingham Inactives: PK Chris Blewitt, RB Larry Rountree, WR Marlon Williams, OT Christian DiLauro, DT Jalyan Twyman, MLB Damon Lloyd, CB Madre Harper
Lineup Notes:
The Defenders have notably re-signed former Stallions runner ZaQuandre White, who was released at final cuts, inserting him into the lineup as the sole backup behind starter Cam'Ron Harris. Keke Coutee is back in the mix at receiver after missing last week. Defensively, Anthony Hines III gets the nod at inside linebacker with Reggie Northrup out.
The big story for Birmingham is Matt Corral penciled back into the team's starting spot at quarterback. It's a bit of a surprise after last week's breakout performance by Adrian Martinez, after which it appeared he had assumed complete control of a two-QB rotation. The Stallions have a new kicker this week, bringing back Ramiz Ahmed to spring pro football to fill in for the injured Chris Blewitt.
Key Matchups:
The Defenders' offense has struggled to sustain drives due to a diminished ground attack without superstar Abram Smith. If Birmingham can eliminate D.C.'s run game at the outset, it will be game, set, and match early.
Against John Chavis's Stallions defense, which has an absurd 15 sacks in their last two games. D.C. will seek some semblance of balance offensively—a necessity to avoid obvious third-and-long situations against Birmingham's lethal pass rush.
Fred Kaiss must move the pocket with Jordan Ta'amu and utilize play-action to keep Birmingham's defense honest. The Defenders could find some openings down the field in the passing game by doing so.
Defensively for D.C., Gregg Williams's unit has been a liability and has not produced the game-altering plays they did a season ago. The Defenders have forced only two turnovers (zero interceptions) and registered only four sacks in three games.
The Stallions' talented young quarterback duo of Martinez and Corral have played with fire, narrowly avoiding game-changing turnovers in the first three weeks. For D.C. to have a chance, they will need to capitalize on any opportunities that come their way.
Birmingham's offense has run all over the opposition, utilizing a talented two-headed backfield and designed runs with their mobile quarterbacks. Using that formula, the Stallions should have plenty of opportunities for big plays in the run and passing attack against a susceptible, over-aggressive Defenders defense.
Prediction
For many reasons, the oddsmakers have Birmingham as a heavy home favorite.
D.C. is walking into a wrong place, wrong time scenario on Saturday night.
The 2024 Defenders are still trying to discover themselves, facing off against a ready-made championship Stallions team that's frighteningly getting better.
This ain't 2023; at least for now, D.C. is not on the same level as Birmingham.
Final Score: Stallions 36 Defenders 18
You can find Mike Mitchell on X @ByMikeMitchell.
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