Week 8 featured two massive upsets with the Battlehawks and Defenders falling, a fun Fort Hood game, and the Stallions using a Block Six to remain in the playoff race. Dallas has lost five straight games. The Kings have proven to be the Defenders' biggest nightmare. Houston has the ability of a cockroach to stay alive. Birmingham has won three straight games in ugly fashion but ugly wins count the same in the standings. The biggest development came from the news that Jordan Ta'amu is out for the season.
Suddenly, DC's playoff chances, extremely firm before the two losses to Louisville, are now in the situation where they could miss out on playing in the United Bowl - hosted at Audi Field. The UFL just can't catch a break.
Orlando 31, Dallas 24
Fort Hood hosted the Hats Off to Heroes Game and the military crowd showed up to see a wild affair. Dallas' collapse could be summed up by Austin Reed's fourth quarter interception - an ideal pass that bounced off his receiver's hands, a Renegade's hands, before being collected by a Dallas player.
The Renegades led 10-0 before the Storm rallied for the tie heading into halftime on a Plummer 1-yard TD run. Plummer opened the second half with a magnificent 71-yard TD dash. Reed and the Renegades (cool band name) responded with a beautiful touchdown pass and Dallas had life.
The Storm rained on their parade with two straight rushing touchdowns. The second touchdown saw Hamler terrified by the celebratory cannons. Reed tossed his third touchdown pass but time ran out on the doomed Renegades.
Orlando continues to crank out unimpressive wins but they sit alone at the top of the standings. Ugly wins are better than colorful losses.
DC 30, Louisville 33
The two teams, clashing on ABC, delivered what the league needed; an entertaining contest on OTA TV. Louisville, seemingly dead in the water two weeks ago, won its second consecutive game over the defending champions.
The scores came quiet and fast. Ta'amu tossed a 41-yard TD pass just ten seconds into the game. Louisville electrified the crowd with a kick return touchdown. The elite special teams continued for the Kings, as Louisville kicked two traditional field goals and one four-point version for the 17-7. During the stretch, Ta'amu went down an injury.
DC, despite losing its star quarterback, refused to fold. The Defenders hit a long field goal and found a rushing touchdown for the 17-17 halftime deadlock. Louisville took a 20-17 lead but DC used a rushing touchdown for the 24-20 advantage, entering the final quarter.
The Kings controlled the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns but a blocked extra point kept the game at 33-24 - a one-score contest in UFL vernacular. DC had an opening and walked through the door. Jackson dashed into the end zone with 28 seconds left. Spencer Sanders, Ta'amu's replacement, had an open wide receiver on the three-point conversion but he couldn't connect. The 4th and 12 onside play failed and Louisville remained in contention for the final playoff spot.
Houston 23, St. Louis 16
DC's defeat allowed a chance for St. Louis to claim the inside track for a home playoff game. The Battlehawks squandered the opportunity as Houston remained alive with a 23-16 upset win at the BattleDome. St. Louis, usually impervious at home, were stunned by a Houston, usually incapable of road performances. The UFL stands for Unpredictable Football League.
Upsets tend to avoid quick starts and a key turnover. St. Louis scored first on a field goal before Houston grabbed a 14-3 lead on a touchdown pass and a Luis Perez pick six. The Spring King collected over 300 yards but threw two crucial interceptions. The Gamblers increased its lead to 20-6 and then the Battlehawks added a 21-yard field goal before halftime.
The Gamblers' offense went nearly silent in the second half, tallying only a field goal. The Battlehawks scored one touchdown but a controversial review erased a first down catch and the final drive ended on Houston three-yard line. Perez threw short of the goal line and, in a delicious irony, a St. Louis player was tackled short of the end zone in a 23-16 game. Revenge of the Oilers/Titans.
Columbus 3, Birmingham 14
The sun was boiling hot in Birmingham but the offenses were not. The Stallions won another grimy game on the backs of an elite defense that held Columbus' elite running game to 61 yards. The Aviators paid the price for ignoring their namesake's profession. DTR received the credit for the win but the offense stagnated too much, scoring only one touchdown.
The team traded interceptions in the first quarter and nearly exchanged field goals in the second stanza. Columbus debuting a new kicker nailed a 48-yard field goal. The Stallions' kicking issues continued when Carlson missed a 36-yard field goal. McCarron and Saban are destined for kicking disappointment. The price to be paid for rings.
Columbus' 3-0 lead held up until 6:35 in the third quarter when DTR found Thomas WIDE OPEN in the end zone for a 29-yard TD pass. It was a beautiful play drive, as somehow, a large tight end completely avoided detection.
The play of the game occurred when Columbus lined up for a 55-yard field goal. Gilmore sliced in from the left, blocked the field goal, picked up the loose ball, and returned it for a Block Six. The thrilling return was keyed by elite blocking. An underrated aspect of plays like that.
The Aviators still had a chance and used a nifty kickoff return to set up a drive. On 4th and 1, White was stuffed more than a Thanksgiving turkey. The play was too telegraphed and White visibly displayed his frustration on the sidelines. Birmingham drained over three minutes before punting it away. An interception ended Columbus' miserable day.
Power Rankings
1. Orlando - The Storm don't feel like the top team but they keep winning and avoiding those derailing upsets.
2. St. Louis - Despite the zany defeat, St. Louis still has its starting quarterback healthy. That matters.
3. Louisville - The Kings picked up two straight wins over DC and knocked out their star quarterback. Now, can they handle success? Louisville is now the hunted. They have Dallas at home. It should be a win. But we have seen that the 2026 UFL rarely deals in should.
4. Birmingham - The Stallions have the easiest schedule remaining on paper. But the Columbus rematch is a trap game on the road and Houston has the Stallions' number. AJ has the chance to make fans eat crow.
5. DC - Can Bean and Sanders save the season? The DC defense has forsaken their moniker.
6. Houston - The Gamblers continue to lurk. They can really shake up the race by defeating St. Louis again. Don't be on it. 5,000 Jim Kelly bobbleheads will be given out. How many will remain?
7. Dallas - The Renegades continue to crash out. Austin Reed threw three touchdowns but his wide receivers dropped more passes than the stock market did points in 1929. The team lost its belief in winning.
8. Columbus - Todd Haley and Ted Ginn Jr. are an amusing duo but Columbus fans aren't laughing.
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