Don’t look now but we are already at Week 3 of the 2024 UFL season. If you didn’t catch last week’s action, you missed an incredible fourth-quarter comeback by the San Antonio Brahmas to stay undefeated, the St. Louis Battlehawks captured their first win, thanks to a game-winning field goal, and the D.C. Defenders escaped with a five-point win at home over the Houston Roughnecks.

Week 3 begins on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET with a rematch of last year’s XFL title game between the D.C. Defenders and the Arlington Renegades (ESPN). Then in primetime, the Memphis Showboats will go on the road to play the Birmingham Stallions (FOX).

Finally, on Sunday, we will get a doubleheader on ABC, starting with the Houston Roughnecks taking on the Michigan Panthers (noon ET), and wrapping up with the St. Louis Battlehawks looking to hand the Brahmas their first loss of the season (3 p.m. ET).

Below, we’ll give out our best bets for Week 3 of the UFL, using odds courtesy of FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.

UFL Best Bets for Week 3

Record YTD: 4-3-1

D.C. Defenders at Arlington Renegades

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, (ESPN)

The Defenders picked up their first win of the 2024 season last Sunday as they outscored the Roughnecks 11-6 in the second half. D.C. still hasn’t found consistency yet with their ground game. But the defense only allowed 50 rushing yards to the Roughnecks, a far cry from what we saw in Week 1 against San Antonio (77 yards).

Meanwhile, the Renegades’ offense looked much better last week against the Battlehawks as they were 6-of-11 on third downs and Luis Perez completed 72% of his passes for 233 yards and a touchdown. However, I’m still concerned about Arlington’s run defense, which got ripped by St. Louis running back Mataeo Durant for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Based on how Arlington’s defense has looked over the past two weeks, this seems like a good spot for the Defenders’ offense to break out. However, Jordan Ta’amu still hasn’t played a complete game and there are still question marks about D.C.’s ground attack. I’ll take the UNDER even though both teams are ranked at the bottom of scoring defense.

Pick: UNDER 43.5 (-110, BetMGM)

Memphis Showboats at Birmingham Stallions

Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, (FOX)

The Showboats should be 2-0 heading into this week’s contest against the Stallions, but Memphis had an epic collapse as they allowed the Brahmas to score 12 unanswered points in the last 2:35 of the game to grab the win. Memphis is considered a long shot to win the title, but they are talented enough on both sides.

As for the Stallions, they ran into some trouble with their 2-QB system as Matt Corral and Adrian Martinez’s numbers were great against a solid Panthers’ defense in Week 2. However, Birmingham’s wide receivers didn’t make things easier with multiple dropped passes. The Stallions will likely give Adrian Martinez the start on Saturday night as he’s listed as QB1 on the depth chart.

Martinez is still developing as a passer, but he has that element of being a plus-one in the running game, which will help against Memphis’ defense.

Speaking of defense, the Stallions’ defense is humming through the first two weeks, recording nine sacks (league-high) and 13.5 points per game allowed. Based on how last week unfolded for the Showboats, it’s no surprise why they are touchdown underdogs. However, they should be able to keep this game close as Case Cookus is familiar with this Stallions’ squad.

Pick: Showboats +7.5 (-120, FanDuel)

Houston Roughnecks at Michigan Panthers

Sunday, noon ET, (ABC)

The Roughnecks might’ve found something with Reid Sinnett, who took over for starter Jarrett Guarantano, who will be out for at least a month, per James Larsen. Sinnett completed 19-of-30 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown.

However, Sinnett won’t have Kirk Merritt, who is likely out with a dislocated wrist for the rest of the season. Merritt posted five receptions (six targets) for 79 yards in Week 2.

Houston has a tough matchup this week against a Panthers’ defense, which is quietly one of the best on third down (28%) and has 11 tackles for loss. Michigan QB EJ Perry had a turnover last week, but still made plays in the passing game. Neither offense is special, but Michigan’s defense has shown through the first two weeks that they can make things difficult for opposing offenses (St. Louis and Birmingham).

Pick: Michigan Panthers -1.5 (-110, FanDuel)

St. Louis Battlehawks at San Antonio Brahmas

Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, (ABC)

The Battlehawks looked like the team we saw in 2023 as the passing game was on fire with Marcell Ateman (four receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns) and Darrius Shepherd (nine receptions for 82 yards). St. Louis might’ve also found their starting running back in Durant, who ran for 100-plus yards.

St. Louis’ defense got after Perez (three sacks) in Week 2, which they need to do against Chase Garbers this week. Speaking of San Antonio, they started slow but found their stride in the fourth quarter. The Brahmas’ offense has explosive plays, but they must be better on third downs (21.1% – dead last in the UFL).

I expect San Antonio to get off to a better start at home on Sunday, but I believe St. Louis can squeak out a win to tighten the race in the XFL conference.

Pick: Battlehawks ML (-120, DraftKings)

[Photo courtesy of Maria Lysaker/UFL/Getty Images]