UFL Week 6 Picks & Predictions: Panthers vs. Defenders (Sunday)
The Defenders have shrugged off the last-minute coaching changes before the season to race out to a UFL-best 4-1 record entering Week 6. The Panthers are tied for the best record in the USFL division at 3-2, albeit with a head-to-head loss to the 3-2 Stallions. It’s a heavyweight battle on Sunday afternoon, and both teams should throw haymakers.
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UFL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Week 6 (Sunday)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Michigan Panthers vs. D.C. Defenders
The defenses had a decided advantage over the offenses earlier in the season. Betting on Unders was a license to print money out of the gates. In Week 1, zero games went over 42.5 points, with 42 representing the highest total. The games averaged 36.5 points, with a median of 33.
Week 2 was the low point for scoring this year. Once again, zero games went over 42.5 points. The high for scoring in Week 2 was 42 points, with season-lows of an average of 29.25 points and a median of 31.
Scoring has been on a linear climb since the ugly games in Week 2. In Week 3, the Panthers (26 points) and Brahmas (23 points) combined for a then-season-high 49 points. The average that week was 36.5 points, with a median of 38.5.
Week 4 saw another game surpass the 42.5-point mark. The average and median were 40.5 points. Finally, the fireworks were on full display last week. In Week 5, three games exceeded 42.5 points, including Michigan’s and D.C.’s shootouts, with 59 and 70 points, respectively. The average and median scores in Week 5 were 50.75 and 51.5 points, respectively.
The Panthers and Defenders should light up the scoreboard this week. Michigan has averaged the second-most points per game (23.6), and D.C. has averaged the third-most points per game (23.4) this year. The Panthers have played four games in domes this year, producing totals of 33, 36, 49, and 59 points, for an average of 44.25 points and a median of 42.5. Meanwhile, the Defenders have played two road games in domes. Those games featured 42 and 70 points, which averages 56.
Both clubs can hang points on the scoreboard. Additionally, Jordan Ta’amu is tailor-made for a shootout. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Ta’amu has a UFL-high seven big-time throws and a UFL-high seven turnover-worthy plays this year. He’s also first in passing yards (1,214), and Bryce Perkins is third in passing yards (923) and first in yards per attempt (8.2). They’re also both meaningful contributors with their legs. As a result, I think viewers should get their popcorn ready and look forward to this game surpassing 42.5 points.
Pick: Over 42.5 Points (-105)
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.