Well, the 2026 regular season is over. It flew by with alarming speed, as time always seems to accelerate as the years progress. Orlando clinched the #1 seed, St. Louis will host another playoff game as the #2 seed and look to break its playoff drought. DC limps into the playoffs while Louisville rides in hotter than the summer sun.
The UFL recently announced that the Orlando-DC playoff game, originally scheduled for Columbus due to the English national team renting the soccer stadium, will be held in Daytona. With tickets at $10 and the nearby collegiate venue of Bethune-Cookman, a packed house should be expected.
Dallas 20, St. Louis 16
The Renegades ended the season and its six-game losing streak with a 20-16 upset win over the Battlehawks on Friday Night Football. St. Louis' attendance rebounded to 24k but its offense remained anemic. Luis Perez's play has made him the Henry VI of spring quarterbacks. Austin Reed rebounded with three touchdown passes and Dallas' defense brutalized Perez with seven sacks. The Battlehawks stumble into the playoffs, going 1-2 over the last three weeks against Dallas and Houston.
Both teams scored twice in the first half. Dallas recorded two touchdowns but missed an extra point while St. Louis kicked two field goals.
The Battlehawks grabbed the lead in the third quarter on a Perez touchdown pass and forged ahead 16-13 on a fourth quarter field goal. Dallas drove for the game-winning touchdown, helped by silly St. Louis penalties, when Reed found Butler in the end zone.
Houston 26, Birmingham 13
The only thing more disappointing than the Stallions' attendance was the team itself. Birmingham's slim playoff chances disappeared in a lackluster effort. DTR's rejuvenation ran out of gas and the defense looked apathetic against Houston's running game.
The Gamblers jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead on a field goal and two rushing touchdowns. Birmingham temporarily gained life on an epic interception touchdown return. Marcus Major suffocated that light on the next play with a 72-yard gallop through the Stallions' defense.
Birmingham drove for a DTR touchdown pass but the two-point conversion was incomplete. Houston tacked on a field goal for some insurance. The Stallions' fate was sealed when Coach AJ McCarron punted with four minutes left and Birmingham missed the playoffs for the first time in the modern era.
Orlando 29, DC 23
The Storm completed the back-to-back victories over DC with a game not as close as the score indicated. DC started Jason Bean and he provided the full experience of great plays and what-the-hell maneuvers. The two teams will meet for the third straight time in the playoffs.
DC dominated early taking a 3-0 lead and looked poised for a 10-0 advantage when Bean eschewed two wide open options in the end zone to throw a pick six. A flurry of field goals had Orlando up 10-9 at halftime.
The Storm extended its lead to 17-9 on a Rowland touchdown catch. DC tied the game with a rushing touchdown and two-point conversion. Special teams changed the game. Orlando downed a punt inside the five yard line and then blocked DC's punt for a safety. A 74-yard touchdown catch and a field goal gave the Storm a 29-17 lead.
A little backdoor cover occurred in the final minute. Orlando, instead of kneeling, tried running for a first down. A fumble resulted. DC recovered and, despite two timeouts, allowed the seconds to drain away. Bean threw a touchdown pass as time expired to enrage the saps who bet the under.
Louisville 42, Columbus 27
The Kings entered the game, knowing they were already playoff bound and crowned their accomplishment with a win over fellow newcomer Columbus.
Louisville struck early with a pick six on the first play from scrimmage. Columbus forged ahead 10-7 before the Kings regained the lead on a touchdown run. The Aviators tied the game at 14-14 on a four-point field goal to end a dramatic first quarter. The teams then traded touchdown runs for the 21-21 deadlock before Louisville scored a touchdown for the 28-21 halftime lead.
Columbus cut the deficit to 28-27, entering the final stanza. Louisville closed the game and regular season with two more touchdowns.
Power Rankings
1. Orlando - The Storm stay in Florida for the playoff game. Can Becht overcome his playoff woes or is he doomed to become the Chuck Knox of the UFL? Orlando is the most balanced squad.
2. Louisville - If Orlando is the most balanced then Louisville is the hottest team. They are 6-1 after their 0-3 start and the offense is humming since removing Jason Bean. Can the Kings win the crown?
3. St. Louis - The Battlehawks have the defense to win the United Bowl. The offense is still a question mark. The wide receiver corps is great. Frost and Perez are similar but the former offers more mobility.
4. DC - The Defenders have everything but a quarterback and clock management. Still, they are in the playoffs. Anything can happen.
5. Houston- The Gamblers displayed some life at the end of the season with wins over Birmingham and St. Louis. Maybe there is hope, after all.
6. Birmingham - DTR's magic tricks wore out, the offense looked anemic, and the defense played with the passion of nursing home bingo. AJ McCarron might become the first player-coach in UFL history.
7. Dallas - The Renegades regained some pride. Losing seven straight games was a bridge too far.
8. Columbus - Morton might have something. Columbus has fans. Let's hope they are patient.
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