UFL Week 2 Picks & Predictions: Stallions vs. Panthers (Friday)
Week 1 of the 2025 UFL season is in the books. Last week, I finished 3-1 on my four bets. I went 1-1 Friday night in the St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Houston Roughnecks matchup, with the total just hitting under 37.5 points (37). However, Houston lost by 25 points, failing to cover the six-point spread.
Meanwhile, I went 2-0 in Saturday's matchup between the San Antonio Brahmas and the Arlington Renegades. The over 37 points total hit with the Renegades getting a 33-9 victory. Furthermore, Arlington didn't need the three-point spread, winning by 24 points.
However, last week's games are in the books. Now, it's time to move on to Week 2. Let's look at my two favorite bets from Friday night's matchup between the Birmingham Stallions and Michigan Panthers.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
UFL Week 2 Picks & Predictions: Stallions vs. Panthers
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Bet #1 - Under 38.5 Points (-110)
Last year, the Stallions had the highest-scoring offense in the UFL, averaging 26.5 points per game during the regular season. However, they fell flat on their face last week after a hot start. Birmingham scored 11 points on their first three drives, totaling a field goal and a 12-yard receiving touchdown by C.J. Marable. Unfortunately, the Stallions didn't score over the final 44 minutes of the game. More importantly, the total points scored in their Week 1 matchup was 29.
The Panthers scored 26 points in their opening-week win over the Memphis Showboats. By comparison, they averaged 22.8 points per game last year during the regular season, scoring 26 or more in four contests. However, Michigan needed a pick-six by Kai Nacua late in the win over Memphis to hit the 26-point mark, scoring 20 points on their nine offensive drives. While they won, the Panthers didn't have a massive offensive performance.
Three of the four Week 1 UFL matchups ended with a total of 38 or fewer points scored. More importantly, two of those matchups involved the Stallions and Panthers. Furthermore, both games would have ended with a total of 32 or fewer if not for the late pick-six by Michigan. Last week, the Stallions' offenses totaled only 138 yards, while the Panthers finished with 281. While this game could have a total in the mid-30s, I will take the under.
Bet #2 - Stallions to Win by 1-6 Points (+310)
Unfortunately, Birmingham's offense struggled in Week 1 without Adrian Martinez on the roster. Alex McGough got the start but played poorly, completing 43.5% of his pass attempts for 89 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Surprisingly, head coach Skip Holtz never went to the backup quarterback, Matt Corral, despite the close competition in camp. However, that could change on Friday night against the Panthers after the Stallions scored only 11 points last week.
Meanwhile, Michigan scored 26 points in Week 1, the third-most in the UFL. They had a pick-six late in the game to secure their victory. However, their offense was hit-and-miss. The Panthers scored 20 points on their nine offensive drives, with four totaling 45 or fewer yards. Furthermore, the team had some lucky breaks, including Bryce Perkins scoring a rushing touchdown off a bad snap. Meanwhile, B.T. Potter missed both field goal attempts from 50-plus yards.
Despite their poor performance in Week 1, I am betting on the Stallions to get their act together this week. Rather than taking Birmingham to cover the 1.5-point spread, I will back them to win by 1-6 points. Whether McGough or Corral gets the start, expect Holtz to have a quick hook if the offense struggles. I'm banking on the two-time reigning champions to bounce back and get a close victory on Friday night.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.