Defenders, Storm Run it Back in DC in Week Ten Finale
by Ethan Berch
ARLINGTON, TX – May 28, 2026 – Following Orlando’s Week Nine victory over DC, the two are set for an immediate rematch in the nation’s capital. Both teams have already punched their ticket to the postseason, but with a potential third meeting looming in the playoffs, this Week 10 clash suddenly carries major weight.
Momentum, seeding, confidence, and adjustments are all on the line between two teams that now know each other extremely well.
Storylines to watch:
Orlando Storm
The Storm appear to be peaking at exactly the right time.
After winning three straight games, Orlando enters Week 10 sitting atop the UFL standings and looking every bit like the league’s hottest team heading toward the postseason.
And it all begins with Jack Plummer.
Plummer continued his MVP-caliber season in Week Nine with arguably his best performance of the year against DC. He dissected the Defenders defense for 275 passing yards and three touchdowns while finishing with a stellar 146.1 quarterback rating in Orlando’s 27-19 victory.
His season numbers are absurdly efficient.
Plummer leads the UFL in passing yards with 1,985 and completions with 274. He has thrown 15 touchdown passes while turning the football over just once all season long. His command, timing, and decision-making have completely transformed Orlando’s offense into a nightmare matchup.
And the scary part for defenses is the amount of weapons surrounding him.
Chris Rowland once again showed why he remains one of the most dangerous playmakers in spring football. Facing his former team last week, Rowland exploded for 117 receiving yards on eight catches and a touchdown.
After leading the UFL in all-purpose yards last season, he’s on pace to do it all over again.
But slowing Rowland down alone doesn’t solve the problem. Elijhah Badger, KJ Hamler, and Cam Camper continue giving Orlando explosive options all across the field. The Storm thrive off chunk plays and quick strikes, putting constant stress on opposing secondaries.
Defensively, Orlando handled DC’s passing attack effectively in Week Nine.
With Spencer Sanders making his first start of the season, the Storm held the Defenders to just 160 passing yards while forcing them into 3-of-11 efficiency on third down.
However, the run defense remains an area of concern.
The Storm surrendered over 200 rushing yards and allowed Sanders to scramble effectively throughout the game, including 75 rushing yards himself.
Orlando has already clinched a playoff berth, but the opportunity to secure the top overall spot in the UFL standings still remains. Head coach Anthony Becht made it clear the Storm will not treat Week 10 like a meaningless game.
And with the possibility of a third straight matchup against DC looming in the postseason, every adjustment and wrinkle shown on Sunday could matter later in June.
DC Defenders
The Defenders are in the playoffs, but momentum has completely disappeared.
Despite clinching a postseason berth thanks to help elsewhere around the league, DC enters Week 10 having lost three straight games and searching for answers before beginning its title defense.
The biggest concern remains at quarterback.
With Jordan Ta'amu sidelined for the remainder of the season, Sanders made his first start under center in Week Nine. While he added value with his legs, the passing game struggled to find rhythm. Sanders finished just 10-for-21 passing for 160 yards as the offense became heavily reliant on the ground attack.
Ironically, the rushing offense was excellent.
The Defenders surpassed 200 rushing yards for the second time this season, consistently controlling the line of scrimmage and creating explosive runs. But their inability to threaten Orlando consistently through the air ultimately limited the offense when key moments arrived.
That opens the door for another possibility this week.
Former Louisville quarterback Jason Bean, who was acquired before Week Five, could potentially see action for the first time this season after serving as the backup last week.
Whoever starts at quarterback, DC desperately needs more consistency offensively before the playoffs begin.
One constant remains Deon Jackson.
Jackson rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week Nine, and his seventh touchdown of the season set a new UFL single-season record. The Defenders will once again lean heavily on their rushing attack as they seek revenge against Orlando.
Another massive positive for DC has been the dominance of Matt McCrane.
McCrane went 4-for-5 on field goals last week and continued carrying the load offensively whenever drives stalled. He drilled a 56-yard field goal and nearly connected from 67 yards out, narrowly falling short. DC clearly possesses a major weapon in the kicking game entering playoff football.
Defensively, the Defenders must limit explosive plays far better than they did a week ago. Orlando repeatedly hit chunk gains in the first half and completely controlled momentum early. Against a quarterback as efficient as Plummer, allowing explosive plays becomes deadly.
The challenge is even greater considering Plummer has only thrown one interception all season.
DC’s defense must find ways to disrupt his rhythm, pressure him consistently, and finally force mistakes. Because once Plummer settles into tempo, Orlando’s offense becomes nearly impossible to slow down.
The Defenders also added reinforcements before Week 10.
Former DC linebacker Anthony Hines returned to the organization after being claimed off waivers from Houston. Hines currently ranks seventh in the UFL in tackles and played a major role during DC’s championship run last season. The Defenders hope his return immediately strengthens the middle of the defense.
For DC, this game matters beyond standings. Limping into the postseason on a four-game losing streak would create enormous pressure heading into the playoffs. A statement victory at home could completely reset the tone around the defending champions.
X-Factor:
Will Orlando stay red hot, or can DC finally cool the Storm off before the playoffs begin?
The Defenders need answers at quarterback. If they can create more efficiency through the air and complement their rushing attack, they’ll give themselves a real shot to control the game.
But if Jack Plummer continues playing at an MVP level and Orlando keeps generating explosive plays offensively, the Storm could roll into June as the most dangerous team in the UFL.