DraftKings Network’s UFL Week 3 Preview

By Zach Thompson, DraftKings Network

Week 2 of the UFL included loads of drama, with walk-off kicks, the largest upset of the season, and the defending champs getting again on monitor. Week 3 kicks off this Friday, April 10, so let’s run down what to, with the assistance of a few of the odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Bookmark this UFL betting splits page and examine again all through the season for DraftKings Network‘s ongoing protection.

The motion this week begins with the Orlando Storm in Louisville to tackle the Kings at 8:00 pm ET, Friday evening on FOX. On Saturday at midday on ESPN, the Houston Gamblers go to the DC Defenders, and the week wraps up with an ABC doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. In the primary recreation, the undefeated Dallas Renegades host the Columbus Aviators, and within the ultimate recreation of the week, the St. Louis Battlehawks host the Birmingham Stallions. Let’s take a better take a look at every contest.

Orlando Storm at Louisville Kings (+3)

The 2-0 Storm will face the 0-2 Kings for the second week in a row. The two new groups for this season have each generated loads of pleasure in Orlando and Louisville, and the Storm gained final Saturday’s matchup, 19-9.

Both offenses had been held in examine early, exchanging discipline objectives for a 9-6 rating simply earlier than halftime. Jack Plummer linked with KJ Hamler for a 41-yard landing on a damaged play simply earlier than halftime and threw one other rating to Elijhah Badger to place the win away.

The Storm might be the primary workforce within the UFL to 3-0 with a win on Friday evening, and despite the fact that they’re going to should go on the highway to Lynn Family Stadium, their offense ought to proceed to search out sufficient huge performs to get them one other win.

The Storm’s run protection held the Kings to simply 26 dashing yards on 13 carries in Week 2, whereas Chandler Rogers and Jason Bean every struggled underneath heart.

Best Bet: Storm -3 (-105)

Houston Gamblers at DC Defenders (-7)

Both groups come into this Saturday afternoon’s matchup after huge wins in Week 2. Houston knocked off the Birmingham Stallions in one of many largest surprises of the season to date. Jalen White had a giant week on the bottom, ending with 82 dashing yards and a landing. The hero on the finish of the day, although, was kicker John Hoyland, who performed his school soccer at Wyoming. Hoyland went an ideal five-for-five on his discipline objective makes an attempt, together with a 50-yard walk-off as time expired.

It was an enormous turnaround for the Gamblers, who obtained crushed by the Dallas Renegades in Week 1, 36-17. That loss was on the highway, and so they’ll be on the highway once more for this matchup as they tackle DC at Audi Field.

It would be the Defenders’ house opener after they performed on the highway in St. Louis and Columbus to begin the season. They took a tricky, 16-10 loss in Week 1 on the Battledome, however they bounced again with a vengeance final week in Columbus.

On Friday evening of Week 2, the Defenders hung 44 factors on the Aviators of their first house recreation as a franchise, spoiling the occasion with the best rating for any workforce in a recreation to date this season.

DC scored on eight of its 11 possessions, led by working again Deon Jackson. Jackson took 11 carries for 97 dashing yards and three touchdowns, whereas QB Jordan Ta’amu accomplished 8-of-11 for 99 passing yards, a landing cross and an interception. The recreation was shut early, however the Defenders’ protection compelled 4 turnovers and helped the workforce to the large win.

Houston’s enormous upset at house was thrilling, however they’re going to have a really powerful job defeating the defending champs of their house opener Saturday afternoon.

Best Bet: Defenders -7 (-105)

Dallas Renegades at Columbus Aviators (+6.5)

The Renegades have been probably the most dominant workforce within the early going and have emerged because the favorites for the UFL Championship at +200 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Dallas gained 36-17 over Houston in Week 1 after which knocked off the Battlehawks 31-15 on Tuesday within the ultimate recreation of Week 2. Both these avid gamers had been at house, however in Week 3, they’re going to go on the highway to face the 0-2 Aviators. Columbus struggled with turnovers of their two losses, and Dallas’s swarming protection will proceed to place stress on it Sunday afternoon.

The Renegades have been led by QB Austin Reed, who threw 4 touchdowns in Tuesday’s win, three of which went to his high receiver, Tyler Vaughns. Reed has a league-leading seven landing passes by way of the primary two video games and has totaled a league-high 616 passing yards on the helm of the Renegades offense.

Vaughns completed with 11 catches for 146 yards and three scores. His 4 touchdowns on the season already match his complete from final 12 months, and his 290 receiving yards lead the league by over 100 yards.

The Renegades protection will even pose an enormous problem to the Aviators’ offense, which was mistake-prone of their first house recreation in opposition to DC final week.

Best Bet: Renegades -6.5 (-110)

Birmingham Stallions at St. Louis Battlehawks

In some ways, the UFL saves the most effective for final this week. While there are clear favorites within the different three video games, this matchup between a pair of 1-1 groups is important for each squads, who wish to bounce again from losses final week.

The Stallions had been upset by the Gamblers, whereas the Battlehawks misplaced to the Renegades. St. Louis is house for this recreation, although, which supplies them an enormous home-field benefit on the Dome at America’s Center. St. Louis gained their earlier house recreation this season, knocking off the Defenders in a robust Week 1 displaying.

The Stallions additionally gained in Week 1, nevertheless it wasn’t in very convincing trend on the highway in Louisville. After being upset by the Gamblers, they’re going to be on the highway. For a 3rd straight week, however they are going to have the benefit of additional relaxation in comparison with the Battlehawks, who’re on a brief week after enjoying Tuesday evening in Dallas.

The Battlehawks confirmed sufficient with a late rally in opposition to that they’d be my slight lean on this matchup. The Stallions had been simply seconds from being 2-0 earlier than the late discipline objective shocked them, however coach AJ McCarron nonetheless does not appear to have the offense firing on all cylinders, and going into the Battledome is all the time a tricky check. It needs to be one of many closest contests of the weekend, however I’m leaning in direction of the house workforce on this matchup.

Best Bet: Battlehawks Moneyline (+130)

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, or go to gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/textual content HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/go to ccpg.org (CT), or go to www.mdgamblinghelp.org (M.D.).
21+ and current in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax could apply in IL.