The 2024 XFL season has ended, and it turned out to be one of the biggest games in the NFL’s history. The Birmingham Stallions pulled off a massive 25-0 shutout to the San Antonio Brahamas in the championship finals on June 16th, 2024.
This 10-week game was a real interplay of strength and strategy, you couldn’t just resist. Be it the Guardians’ quick offense or the intense defense of the Sea Dragons, these all played a big role in elevating the experience of fans watching the game.
Brief Overview of the UFL 2024 Season
Of course, this XFL season a was very special one because of the recent merger with the USFL. This merger of talent and resources naturally raised the stakes of this spring football league from increased competition to greater involvement by fans, and a deeper talent pool of players.
These two minor leagues of American football were initially introduced as an alternative league to fill in the void created by the NFL and college football during off-seasons. However, the XFL and NFL differ in rules and gameplay. And since the XFL and USFL both have four teams, the UFL is now played among eight teams:
XFL Conference
- St.Louis Battlehawks
- Arlington Renegades
- D.C. Defenders
- San Antonio Brahmans
USFL Conference
- Birmingham Stallions
- Memphis Showboats
- Michigan Panthers
- Houston Roughnecks
The teams played a 10-game schedule which started on March 30, 2024. There were no bye weeks and this schedule was concluded on June 2. Afterwards, the playoffs kicked off which consisted of the 4 surviving teams. This also spanned a few weeks before the championship’s finals which happened on Sunday 16th of June 2024.
That being said, let’s move on to in-depth stats on team dynamics, unraveling strategies that defined this concluded season and made the XFL seem more alive than ever. Interestingly, this breakdown of teams’ strategies, expected strengths, and players’ performances can be an added advantage, alongside looking to the best sportsbooks for odds or matchup predictions. This platform offers players the best gaming offers in terms of welcome bonuses, easy-to-access payment methods, and an engaging playing experience for a memorable game time.
Team Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the teams participating in the XFL season:
Birmingham Stallions
The Stallions were on top of their game throughout this season. They dominated the regular season with a strong record and eventually won the championships.
Unlike other teams in the league, one thing that stood out to the Stallions was their unique ability to maintain a balanced offense and defense all through. They focused on efficient scoring and limiting opponents’ gains, this was so clear in their finals against San Antonio.
DC Defenders
Let’s start with the DC Defenders, these guys struggled throughout the season. While they tried to keep in the game with a dynamic quarterback, they went through several defensive weaknesses and turnovers that changed the course of their game.
On offense, the Defenders had a balanced attack. They incorporated a strong passing game with a pounding ground attack, so whatever weakness a team shows, they could exploit it. However, this strategy was definitely not enough leading them to end the season with significant losses.
St. Louis Battlehawks
The St. Louis Battlehawks were an interesting bunch, they were able to infuse tactical intelligence with heart performances. This enabled them to secure a playoff spot in the just-concluded season. The Battlehawks used a multiheaded offense and a disciplined game plan that gave them close victories. They also excelled at ball possession, mostly using a good running attack to set up play-action opportunities. Additionally, standout performances from their skilled quarterback A.J. McCarron and hardworking O-line gave them the edge.
On the defensive side, the Battlehawks were ferocious as they do linebacker blitzes that wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. They were a great team to watch as they schemed and adjusted their way through the season.
San Antonio Brahmas
The Brahmas started strongly but faltered at the end. They eventually lost to the Birmingham Stallions in the championship finals. The Brahmans made it a point to have an outstanding running game and a tight defense all through the championship season. However, their inconsistency with launching the offense cost them their achievements in the end.
Houston Roughnecks
The Roughnecks didn’t do very well this season and came last among other teams. This is due to the fact that they couldn’t capitalize on their offensive opportunities during critical games.
Memphis Showboats
These guys initially had a rough season but were able to finish quite strong with a late win. It seemed like Memphi’s biggest aim this season was getting the first draft pick to set them up for improvement in successive seasons.
Michigan Panthers
Even though much wasn’t expected from the Michigan Panthers, they surprised a lot of football enthusiasts by competing closely with top teams in the league. This team was focused on running plays at the end of games and also ensured their defense was solid enough to hang on with some of the better teams like the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Arlington Renegades
Last but not least, we have the Arlington Renegades. Their game finished just outside playoff contention, owing to their improvement towards the end of the season. The Renegades had a very effective passing game to complement their strong ground offense. Unfortunately, they had lapses in their defense. And this inconsistent defense cost them a lot. If the Renegades can get their defense tactics to diversify with their imposing offense, they just might be able to surprise a few teams in the next season.
Standout performances in the 2024 UFL season
A few individual players were at the forefront of the championships this season. These players below were great individually and also influenced their teams through unique performances:
Adrian Martinez of Birmingham Stallions was the season’s MVP. Martinez led the league in passing, showing dual-threat capabilities while leading the Stallions to a championship victory.
Williams is another member of the 2024 winning team. Shortly after his recovery from tearing an Achilles, he also contributed vastly to the team’s success through key catches during the championships.
Malik a member of the D.C. Defenders, emerged as a breakout star, showcasing defensive prowess and consistently making pivotal tackles that kept his team competitive despite their obvious struggles.
A second star for the Defenders. Rowland’s role as receiver on special teams during the championship brought the team their much-needed spark in tightly contested games.
