DC Defenders vs San Antonio Brahmas Odds, Picks & Predictions

• The DC Defenders square off against the San Antonio Brahmas in UFL action Friday, May 9th
• The Defenders are huge 9.5 point road favorites in both team’s seventh game of the season
• Check out my Defenders vs Brahmas preview with odds, picks and predictions, below

The seventh week of UFL kicks off Friday Night between between two teams going in opposite directions. The DC Defenders (4-2) find themselves in first place in the XFL Division. Their counterparts are in the basement, following a 1-5 start. Interestingly, despite the Brahmas really struggling on the campaign, their lone win came against DC in Week 4 by a 24-18 count.

Kickoff for this grudge match is scheduled for 8:00pm ET from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. FOX provides the broadcast coverage in the United States.

DC Defenders vs San Antonio Brahmas Odds

DC is favored by 9.5 points, and are a whopping -380 on the moneyline. That’s an 79.17% implied win probability. The total is set at 37.5 points, with -118 the price for the under. 

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Odds as of May 8th at DraftKings. Check out SBD’s DraftKings review to see the available sign-up bonuses.

DC Defenders Betting Trends

On the season, DC came out smoking, with three straight victories, where they allowed just 38 points. It hasn’t been so easy since then, as they’ve dropped two of three, including the stunning defeat to San Antonio 24-18 in Week 4. Last outing was particularly concerning, as the Defenders lost 38-14, by far their worst battle of the year.

They really lived up to their team nickname the Defenders the first three outings, but since then, have surrendered 24, 33 and 38 points in the subsequent three games.

DC is getting fantastic contributions from their top ranked offense, with QB Jordan Ta’amu leading the UFL with 1,472 passing yards and also is in top spot with eleven TD passes. There’s a little give and take with him, as he’s operating at a worrying 50.2% completion percentage, but given the yards and touchdowns, they’ll take that trade-off.

Subsequently, receiver Chris Rowland has the most yards (395) and is tied for most times finding paydirt (3) among wideouts. The team hasn’t been as solid in the running game, ranking fifth in yards per outing (98.5), and second last with just three rushing TD’s.

San Antonio Brahmas Betting Trends

It goes without saying, that if your team is 1-5 you’re doing some very very wrong. Such is life for the 1-and-5 Brahmas after an excellent 7-and-3 campaign in 2024. The point differential is ghastly, as San Antonio is -85, which is 50 points worse than the next closest club (Memphis Showboats).

Prior to that Week 4 triumph over DC, the Brahmas had dropped the first three by an average of nearly 15 points. Following the shocking victory over the Defenders, the Brahmas have reverted to form, losing 27-3 to Houston and 26-3 to Birmingham.

They rank dead last in four key categories in points/game, yards/game, points allowed/GP and yards allowed/GP. Suffice to say, there’s not much in the way of positives. The team’s QB’s have thrown for the fewest yards (699), with a league-worst woeful two passing touchdowns. Searching for answers at the most pivotal position at QB, the Brahmas inserted Kevin Hogan into the lineup last week, to middling results (17-26, 179 yards, one INT).

Though he hasn’t found paydirt, a decent sized bright spot is running back Anthony McFarland, who ranks third in rushing yards (242). He was a solid reason San Antonio pulled off the improbable victory over DC with 69 total yards.

Defenders vs Brahmas Season Stats (Eight Teams Ranked)

Defenders vs Brahmas Prediction

There is absolutely no value is wagering on the Defenders victory at -380 on the moneyline, with that number giving me heartburn. Was the random loss to San Antonio a blip? I’d tend to think so, with all the bad that’s gone on with the Brahmas on the campaign.

However, a -9.5 line is fairly long, considering DC has failed to cover that number in three of their four victories (in addition to two losses in the last three, with the win by four points). I’m sticking my neck out somewhat in thinking the Brahmas can cover, knowing full well it could bite me, given how bad they’ve been.

• Defenders vs Brahmas Pick: San Antonio Brahmas +9.5 (-115)