The United Football League (UFL) delivered another action-packed weekend of gridiron excitement in Week 3, with nail-biting finishes, standout individual performances, and kickers showcasing their skills. The Birmingham Stallions, DC Defenders, Michigan Panthers, and St. Louis Battlehawks emerged victorious, while the San Antonio Brahmas, Memphis Showboats, Arlington Renegades, and Houston Roughnecks came up short.

The Birmingham Stallions, the back-to-back defending USFL champions, remain the only unbeaten team in the UFL with a perfect 3-0 record. The Stallions have been dominant on both sides of the ball, ranking first in scoring offense (80 points) and scoring defense (41 points) through three weeks. Their success can be attributed to the stellar play of quarterback Adrian Martinez, who amassed an impressive 388 total yards (344 passing and 44 rushing) in Week 3. Martinez leads the UFL in yards per pass attempt (over 9) and yards per rushing attempt (over 11), showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability.

The Stallions’ defense has been equally impressive, recording a league-leading 17.0 sacks through three games, nearly doubling their total from the entire 2023 USFL season (19.0 sacks in 10 games). This relentless pass rush has been a key factor in Birmingham’s early success and has them positioned as the team to beat in the UFL.

Week 3 also featured another thrilling comeback, with the DC Defenders erasing a 10-point deficit in the final minute of regulation to defeat the Arlington Renegades. Like the San Antonio Brahmas in Week 2, the Defenders took advantage of the UFL’s innovative fourth-and-12 alternative kickoff option, converting the crucial play and setting up the game-winning score in the final seconds. This marks the second consecutive week that a team has overcome a double-digit deficit in the final minute to secure a victory, highlighting the excitement and unpredictability of UFL football.

Kickers continued to make their mark in the UFL, with league-wide accuracy remaining impressive. Through three weeks, UFL kickers have converted 48 of 52 field goal attempts, with only four misses. Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates has been particularly outstanding, going a perfect 5-for-5 on the season, with three of his five makes coming from at least 55 yards out, including two from beyond 60 yards. Bates’ incredible range and accuracy have been a valuable weapon for the Panthers and have garnered attention from fans and analysts alike.

The Michigan Panthers, led by quarterback E.J. Perry, also had a strong showing in Week 3. Perry completed 84% (16 of 19) of his passes and ran for two touchdowns, giving him a league-best four rushing scores on the season. Perry’s efficiency and dual-threat abilities have been crucial to the Panthers’ success, as they improved to 2-1 on the season.

In a battle of top contenders, the St. Louis Battlehawks handed the San Antonio Brahmas their first loss of the season, winning 31-24 in a hard-fought contest. Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron spread the wealth, completing passes to eight different receivers, while big-bodied wideout Hakeem Butler had his best game of the season with six receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. The Battlehawks’ balanced attack and resilient defense proved too much for the Brahmas, who will look to bounce back in Week 4.

As the UFL season progresses, the excitement continues to build, with teams jockeying for position and players making their mark. The league’s innovative rules, such as the fourth-and-12 alternative kickoff option, have added an extra layer of drama and strategy to the games, keeping fans engaged until the final whistle.

Looking ahead to Week 4, the UFL promises more thrilling matchups and storylines. Will the Birmingham Stallions continue their dominance and remain undefeated? Can the DC Defenders build on their comeback victory and establish themselves as a top contender? Will Jake Bates and the league’s kickers continue to shine? These questions and more will be answered as the UFL’s inaugural season unfolds, captivating football fans across the nation.