Looking at the Week 4 odds for each matchup on DraftKings Sportsbook, check out these best bets for this week.
By Zach Thompson, DraftKings Network
Last week, the UFL bookended the week with a pair of epic overtime contests, providing plenty of drama and excitement throughout Week 3. Headed into the fourth week of the 10-week season, two teams are undefeated, while two teams are still searching for their first win in franchise history. Week 4 kicks off Thursday, April 16, so let’s run down what to expect, with the help of some of the odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Bookmark this UFL betting splits page and check back throughout the season for DraftKings Network’s ongoing coverage.
The action this week starts with the Louisville Kings visiting the Houston Gamblers on Thursday night on NFL Network. On Friday night in another spotlight game on FOX, the Dallas Renegades visit the Columbus Aviators at Historic Crew Stadium. The week concludes with a Saturday doubleheader, with the St. Louis Battlehawks visiting the D.C. Defenders in a playoff rematch on ABC before the week concludes with the Orlando Storm visiting the Birmingham Stallions on FOX. Let’s take a closer look at each contest.
Louisville Kings at Houston Gamblers (+3)
The Gamblers and the Kings have the two longest odds of winning the UFL title this season, on the futures market on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Gamblers got a win two weeks ago with a dramatic upset at home over Birmingham, but they were crushed on the road in Week 3, losing 45-7 to the D.C. Defenders. The Kings also lost their game, but it was a close matchup in overtime against the Storm.
It was a big step forward overall for the Kings, who lost by 10 in the same matchup in Orlando in Week 2. QB Jason Bean threw for a season-high 352 yards and three touchdowns in the close loss and showed strong connections with both Isaiah Winstead, who had seven catches for 114 yards on 14 targets, and Zach Davidson, who caught a pair of touchdowns.
On the ground, Benny Snell gained 50 rushing yards on his 12 carries, showing strong balance and improved production after scoring just nine points in the first matchup against the Storm.
The Gamblers gave up 45 points to DC in Week 3, and they have given up at least 20 points in every game they have played this season. With the Kings offense trending up and the Gamblers’ defense struggling, the stage seems to be set for Louisville to get its first win of the season, and since they’re one of the new teams, it would also be the first victory in franchise history.
Best Bet: Kings Moneyline (-162)
Dallas Renegades at Columbus Aviators (+4.5)
The Renegades are still the favorite to win the UFL Championship by a narrow margin over the Defenders. Dallas continued its undefeated start to the season by beating Columbus last week, but it was a closer game than expected.
The Renegades’ offense came into the week as the best in the league, but they struggled a little bit against a tough Columbus defense. The team got some help from the other side of the ball with a defensive score just before halftime, giving the team the lead. After a touchdown to open the third quarter, the defense stepped up and forced another turnover that gave the offense the chance to break the game open.
Jalen McClendon did a good job leading the Aviators’ offense, but costly mistakes against the opportunistic Renegades proved too much to overcome. On the other side, Austin Reed wasn’t at his best but still threw for two touchdowns and 147 yards, while Dae Dea Hunter added a rushing score as well.
The Aviators’ defense had struggled before Week 3, giving up 44 points in their previous home game. While they did significantly better in the first game against the Renegades, Dallas’s strong offense has a good chance to bounce back with a stronger effort in Week 4.
While they covered in Dallas last week, the Aviators continue to be turnover-prone, which makes it hard to pick them to get their first win this week. They could sneak another back-door cover late, but I trust Reed and the Renegades’ offense to be better in this rematch.
Best Bet: Renegades -4.5 (-245)
St. Louis Battlehawks at D.C. Defenders (-3.5)
The reigning UFL Champion Defenders slipped up in Week 1 on the road at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, but they have dominated their two games since then and now get a chance to avenge their one loss of the season.
The Defenders crushed the Aviators 44-26 in Week 2, and in Week 3, they won their home opener in historic fashion. They stomped Houston, 45-7, and the 38-point win was the largest margin of victory in UFL history.
UFL rushing leader Deon Jackson had another huge game with a 60-yard touchdown and a total of 70 yards on his five carries. Abram Smith and Briley Moore also had rushing scores, while Jordan Ta’amu threw for 172 yards and a second score to Briley Moore. Moore scored once as a tight end on his only catch of the day and once after lining up as the fullback in the I-formation.
Moore adds another layer to the D.C. offense, which ran effectively over and through the Gamblers’ defense all day long. The D.C. defense was also outstanding (as the name implies), picking up four sacks and forcing two turnovers, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
The Battlehawks will need to try to solve that defense if they want to beat the Defenders for a second time this season. They improved to 2-1 on the year with an overtime win in the final game of Week 3, but both their wins did come at home in the Battledome, while they lost their one road game against the Renegades, 31-15.
There are also some QB questions for the Battlehawks, who turned to backup Harrison Frost in place of an ineffective Brandon Silvers. Frost threw two picks on his first two passes but then rallied the team to the win with three touchdowns, focusing mostly on dynamic playmaker Hakeem Butler at wide receiver.
With a change in venue and the Defenders’ return to dominance, I’m a little surprised they’re not more heavily favored. I’ll gladly give the points after the defending champs won their last two games by 18 and 38 points.
Best Bet: Defenders -3.5 (-120)
Orlando Storm at Birmingham Stallions (-2.5)
In the final game of the week, the 1-2 Stallions host the 3-0 Storm. Even though the records indicate otherwise, the Stallions are home favorites in this contest.
Birmingham had won three straight UFL titles before losing in the playoffs last year, but this year has started a little bump as A.J. McCarron steps in for the very successful Skip Holtz, who went 33-7 in his time at the helm. McCarron has started 1-2 and lost back-to-back games. In Week 2, the Stallions were stunned at home by the Gamblers, and last week they fell in overtime to the Battlehawks.
Both games were lost on the last play of the game, with the Gamblers kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired, and the Battlehawks scoring in overtime. The Stallions seemed to have the game in hand with a 10-point lead headed into the fourth quarter, and another 10-point margin after Matt Carral hit Deon Cain for a 67-yard score that was the Stallions’ longest play of the season. Ultimately, though, the Stallions came up short.
The Storm were on the other end of an overtime game, getting a gritty road win over the Kings, who they were playing for a second straight week. Jack Plummer threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns, working well with Chris Rowland, who finished with nine catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
Unlike the Kings and Aviators, who are still looking for their first franchise wins, the Storm are off to a 3-0 start under head coach Anthony Becht. They’ll be on the road again this week in a tough test, but the Storm were one of my preseason picks. This should be an exciting, tight contest, but ultimately, getting the Storm at plus-money on the Moneyline is too juicy for me to pass up.
Best Bet: Storm Moneyline (+114)
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