XFL Week 9: Stallions Suffer First Loss, Playoff Picture Takes Shape

Week 9 of the XFL season saw two major upsets, with the Arlington Renegades and San Antonio Brahmas defeating the playoff-bound St. Louis Battlehawks and Birmingham Stallions, respectively. Meanwhile, the DC Defenders and Michigan Panthers picked up victories.

Week 9 of the XFL season provided plenty of excitement and drama, with two stunning upsets shaking up the playoff race.

The Arlington Renegades, who entered the week with a 2-7 record, pulled off a major upset by defeating the playoff-bound St. Louis Battlehawks 12-9. The Renegades' defense stood tall, forcing three turnovers and limiting the Battlehawks to just two field goals.

In another major upset, the San Antonio Brahmas upset the Birmingham Stallions 9-0, ending the Stallions' 15-game winning streak that dated back to May 2023. The Brahmas' defense was stifling, holding the Stallions to just 183 yards of offense and forcing two turnovers.

With the St. Louis Battlehawks' loss, the final game of the regular season between the Battlehawks and the Brahmas on Saturday will have major implications. The winner will secure home-field advantage in the XFL title game when the same two teams meet again on Saturday, June 8.

The Michigan Panthers pulled off a dramatic comeback victory over the Houston Roughnecks, trailing 17-10 at halftime before rallying for a 26-17 win. Former Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins entered the game in the second half and was instrumental in the Panthers' victory, accounting for 197 total yards and three touchdowns.

The DC Defenders continued their resurgence with a 23-12 victory over the Memphis Showboats. The Defenders' defense forced three turnovers and held the Showboats to just 298 yards of offense.

Despite their 1-8 record, the Houston Roughnecks have shown tremendous resilience, losing their past three games by a combined 14 points. All three of those opponents were playoff-bound teams, underlining the Roughnecks' determination to finish the season strong.

The Birmingham Stallions' impressive 15-game winning streak came to an end against the San Antonio Brahmas. The Stallions' offense struggled to generate any momentum, and their defense was unable to contain the Brahmas' passing game.

Michigan defensive end Breeland Speaks made a strong case for the 2024 UFL Defensive Player of the Year award with 3.0 sacks in the Panthers' victory over the Roughnecks. Speaks now leads the league in both sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (12).

The Memphis Showboats dropped their eighth consecutive game in Sunday's loss to the Defenders. They'll face the Roughnecks in Week 10, as both teams look to avoid finishing with the worst record in the league.