UFL Picks & Predictions: Panthers vs. Stallions (Sunday)
The 2025 UFL regular season is in the books, meaning it's time for the playoffs. Last week, I went 1-3 on my four bets. I had a 1-1 record on Friday night in the matchup between the St. Louis Battlehawks and the D.C. Defenders. Despite both teams having playoff spots locked up, the Battlehawks' MoneyLine hit. However, the over of 44.5 points was a massive miss, with St. Louis winning 13-8 (21).
Meanwhile, I went 0-2 in Saturday's matchup between the Houston Roughnecks and the Michigan Panthers. While the Panthers were six-point favorites, they came out flat against the Roughnecks, losing by seven. Furthermore, the over of 43.5 points didn't hit, as Houston won 19-12 (31) as both teams struggled on offense.
However, last week's games are in the books. Now, it's time to move on to the playoffs. Let's look at my two favorite bets from Sunday's USFL Conference Title Game between the Michigan Panthers and the Birmingham Stallions.
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UFL Playoff Picks & Predictions: Panthers vs. Stallions
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Bet #1 - Stallions -1.5 (-105)
Michigan locked up a playoff spot in Week 8 following their win over the Roughnecks, 30-18. However, they have lost back-to-back games, ending the regular season with a 6-4 record. The Panthers finished second in the USFL Conference despite having an average point differential of 4.7 points per game. More importantly, they are backing their way into the playoffs, having lost two consecutive games, including by seven last week to the Roughnecks.
The Stallions ended the regular season with a 7-3 record, finishing first in the USFL Conference. They had an average point differential of 7.7 points per game, the best in the UFL. Furthermore, Birmingham's average margin of victory was 12.7 points per game, with six of their seven wins coming by four or more. Last week, the Stallions defeated the Memphis Showboats 46-9, setting a season-high in points scored and margin of victory.
These two teams faced off twice during the regular season, with Birmingham winning both matchups. They defeated Michigan 21-12 in Week 2 and 26-22 two weeks ago. More importantly, no one has more momentum heading into the playoffs than the Stallions. They have won two consecutive games and four of their past five matchups. The fact that Birmingham is only a 1.5-point favorite is surprising. They should be at least three-point favorites, especially playing at home.
Bet #2 - Over 46.5 Points (-115)
Last week, Michigan had an ugly performance in their loss to Houston, scoring 12 points, matching their season low. However, the Panthers primarily used backup quarterback Rocky Lombardi in that game, with the playoffs already locked up. More importantly, their offense has been outstanding this year. Michigan has averaged 24.5 points per game, the most in the UFL. The Panthers scored at least 25 points in 60% of the games this season, including 30 or more twice.
Meanwhile, the Stallions are coming off their best offensive performance this year. Last week, they scored a season-high 46 points in their win over Memphis, totaling over 330 yards on offense. Birmingham had the second-highest-scoring offense in the UFL this year, averaging 24.4 points per game. More importantly, the Stallions have been on fire in the second half of the season, averaging 31.8 points per game over the past five weeks, totaling 26 or more in every contest.
Putting up points hasn't been a problem for either team this year. Michigan and Birmingham rank first and second in the UFL in points scored during the regular season. These two teams faced off in Week 9, with the Stallions getting the four-point win. More importantly, that matchup ended with 48 total points. This USFL Conference Title Game is more likely to end with both teams scoring over 30 points than the under 46.5 points hitting.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.