The United Football League (UFL) 2024 season heats up in Week 6 with an exciting cross-conference clash between the St. Louis Battlehawks (4-1) and the Houston Roughnecks (1-4) at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Battlehawks, riding a four-game winning streak, will look to maintain their momentum against a Roughnecks team eager to bounce back from a tough loss to the undefeated Birmingham Stallions.

St. Louis enters Week 6 brimming with confidence after a dominant 45-12 victory over the D.C. Defenders, a win that not only extended their franchise-best winning streak but also ended the Defenders’ unbeaten run at home. The Battlehawks’ defense and special teams were the catalysts for success, consistently giving the offense excellent field position and creating game-changing turnovers.

Quarterback A.J. McCarron has been the steady hand guiding the Battlehawks’ offense, completing 14 of 24 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns in Week 5. McCarron’s ability to spread the ball around to his talented receiving corps has been a key factor in St. Louis’ success, with wide receiver Hakeem Butler emerging as a true game-breaker. Butler’s 80-yard touchdown reception against the Defenders was the longest passing play in team history and the longest play of any kind in the UFL this season.

The Battlehawks’ ground game has also been a force to be reckoned with, with running backs Wayne Gallman II and Jacob Saylors each finding the end zone in Week 5. The offensive line, anchored by tackles Chauncey Rivers and Terron Armstead, has been dominant in both pass protection and run blocking, giving McCarron time to find his receivers and opening up holes for the rushing attack.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Battlehawks have been opportunistic, forcing multiple turnovers in each of their last two games. Linebacker Pita Taumoepenu has been a pass-rushing menace, registering a team-leading 4.0 sacks, while cornerback Brandon Sebastian and safety Kameron Kelly have been ballhawks in the secondary. If the Battlehawks can continue to create takeaways and give their offense short fields to work with, they’ll be tough to beat.

The Houston Roughnecks, meanwhile, come into Week 6 looking to regroup after a 32-9 loss to the Birmingham Stallions. Despite the lopsided final score, there were some positive takeaways for the Roughnecks, including the play of wide receiver Justin Hall, who led the team with 93 receiving yards.

To pull off the upset against the surging Battlehawks, the Roughnecks will need a strong performance from quarterback Reid Sinnett, who has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has also been prone to turnovers. If Sinnett can take care of the football and find his playmakers like Hall and tight end Braedon Bowman, the Roughnecks’ offense has the potential to keep pace with the high-powered Battlehawks.

Defensively, the Roughnecks will need to find a way to generate pressure on McCarron and slow down the Battlehawks’ multi-faceted offense. Defensive end Chris Odom, who leads the team with two sacks, will be tasked with disrupting McCarron’s rhythm and forcing him into making mistakes. The secondary, led by safety Javen Morrison, will have their hands full with the Battlehawks’ talented receiving corps but must rise to the challenge if Houston hopes to pull off the road win.

As the Battlehawks and Roughnecks prepare to clash in Week 6, the stakes are high for both teams. For St. Louis, a win would not only extend their winning streak to five games but also keep them atop the XFL Conference standings. For Houston, a victory would be a major step in the right direction as they look to climb out of the cellar in the USFL Conference.

With both teams eager to prove themselves on the national stage, fans can expect a hard-fought battle filled with intensity and drama. Will the Battlehawks’ balanced attack and opportunistic defense prove too much for the Roughnecks to handle, or will Houston rise to the occasion and secure a signature win?

Tune in to FOX on Saturday, May 4, at 3:00 PM ET to witness this compelling UFL matchup and find out which team will emerge victorious in the Gateway City. In a league where anything can happen, one thing is certain: the Battlehawks and Roughnecks will leave it all on the field in their pursuit of a crucial Week 6 victory.