Battle for Home-Field Advantage in XFL Title Game Heats Up

The St. Louis Battlehawks and San Antonio Brahmas face off in a crucial matchup this Saturday, with the winner securing home-field advantage in the XFL title game.

The battle for home-field advantage in the XFL title game intensifies this Saturday (4 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app) as the St. Louis Battlehawks (6-3) host the San Antonio Brahmas (7-2) at The Dome at America's Center.

St. Louis emerged victorious in the previous encounter between these teams, claiming a 31-24 road victory in Week 3. A win for the Battlehawks would grant them another home game next week, providing them with a significant advantage in St. Louis, where they have drawn an average of over 34,000 fans per game – the most in the league.

However, the Battlehawks must regroup after suffering an upset loss to the Arlington Renegades (2-7) on the road in Week 9.

"The biggest way to judge a football team and what they're about is how they respond," St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht emphasized. "I'll give credit to our players because every time we've had our backs to the wall, we've responded. So, the challenge is on them, and I expect a much better product this week."

Saturday's second game will serve as an intriguing preview of the USFL title game, featuring a matchup between the Birmingham Stallions (8-1) and the Michigan Panthers (7-2) at Protective Stadium (2 p.m. ET).

The doubleheader on Sunday pits the DC Defenders (4-5) against the Renegades (noon ET), while the Houston Roughnecks (1-8) and Memphis Showboats (1-8) battle it out at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (7 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app) for the No. 1 overall selection in next year's draft.

Here are five key points to watch for during the final week of the UFL regular season:

1. **Will AJ McCarron start at QB for the Battlehawks?**

McCarron has been sidelined for the past two weeks due to an ankle injury sustained in a Week 7 loss to Birmingham. "He has a significant ankle injury that we're trying to get better," Becht stated this week. "There are things a quarterback has to do to be able to function properly. He wants to be out there. I have to make the right decision on how to go about it." McCarron, listed as the starter on the team's depth chart, had a limited practice week and is officially questionable for Week 10. The Battlehawks averaged 28.4 points per contest with McCarron at the helm, compared to 24 points with backup Manny Wilkins.

2. **Panthers resting key players for postseason**

Michigan's top receiver Marcus Simms (hamstring) and leading running back Matt Colburn (forearm) will miss Saturday's game along with safety Corrion Ballard (hamstring) and defensive end Kenny Willekes (ankle). For Birmingham, outside linebacker DeMarquis Gates will be out due to a foot injury. Head coach Skip Holtz confirmed that defensive coordinator John Chavis has returned home to address a health issue and defensive backs coach Corey Chamblin will take over his duties.

3. **Stallions QB Adrian Martinez remains frontrunner for UFL MVP**

Holtz has discovered another dynamic quarterback to succeed last year's USFL MVP Alex McGough in Martinez. The Kansas State product not only leads the league in rushing with 487 yards but is also third in passing yards (1,587) and tied for second in touchdown passes (15), while completing nearly 60% of his passes. Martinez is the driving force behind Birmingham's offensive success, and he is expected to demonstrate his NFL-caliber skills once the UFL season concludes.

4. **Who takes home the first overall draft pick: Roughnecks or Showboats?**

Daryl Johnson, the UFL's head of football operations, encourages competition. To foster rivalry between these last-place finishers, the UFL has made the final regular-season game a battle for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 UFL Draft. The USFL implemented a similar strategy two seasons ago when Michigan earned the top pick after defeating the Pittsburgh Maulers in the final game of the 2022 season. QB Josh Love will make his first start for Memphis, his last starting appearance being with the Panthers in Week 9 of the 2021 USFL season.

5. **Stat of the week**

St. Louis' multifaceted receiver and return man Darrius Shepherd leads the UFL in all-purpose yards per contest with an average of 152.6.