We’re two weeks from the UFL playoffs. One team is locked into the playoffs already, and two other teams could lock up the playoffs this weekend. Our one standout team just lost its starting quarterback. Certain teams are standing out more than others, while some are hard to predict each week. Let’s take a look at the best ways to cash during UFL Week 9 in this UFL Week 9 preview, picks, and best bets!
2026 UFL Week 9 Preview, Picks, and Best Bets
DC Defenders @ Orlando Storm (-2.5)
The first game on our UFL Week 9 picks takes place tonight in Orlando. The Storm have already locked the playoffs, but home-field advantage in their semi-final playoff game will be important to Anthony Becht. He’ll have his team ready to play.
They’ve consistently been good, with a 6-2 record. They’ve done this with a solid defense and an offense that limits turnovers. Jack Plummer has played really well. In fact, much better than I expected. He’s not known for his running ability. However, he ran for a 71-yard touchdown last week.
The Defenders have looked like the best team in the league up until two weeks ago. They’ve now dropped two straight games to the Louisville Kings. Their defense has shown some major areas of concern. To top that off, they just lost the leading MVP candidate, Jordan Ta’amu.
The line makes no sense. I normally fade that. However, this is the UFL. Give me the Stallions -2.5 to lock up the playoffs so they can rest their starters next week on the road.
Birmingham Stallions (-1.5) @ Columbus Aviators
The Birmingham Stallions have a lot of momentum coming into this game. Many had already written them off for this year after a horrendous start. However, Dorian Thompson-Robinson has breathed some life into the offense. The defense has done enough, and they now sit at 4-4 with a chance to make the playoffs.
The Aviators technically aren’t eliminated either. They’re making a change at quarterback, switching from Jalen McClendon to Jalen Morton. I think this is a really good move. Morton is faster on the ground and will want to prove himself.
Neither one of these teams is well-coached. The Aviators have played well at home, so I have to ride with them to get it done. Quarterback changes in the UFL normally give a team at least a one-game bump. This is the bump. Aviators +1.5 and on the Moneyline is the play here for our UFL Week 9 picks.
Dallas Renegades @ Louisville Kings (-1.5)
The Dallas Renegades were the hottest team in the UFL after three weeks. Sitting at 3-0, Austin Reed looked like the best player in the league. Rick Nuheisal showed why he was considered one of the best coaches. They face off against the Louisville Kings in our next game on the UFL Week 9 picks list.
They started hot, but have since dropped five straight games. Now they take on a Kings team that is on a nice win streak. The Kings finally look like they’ve been able to put all the pieces together. As much as this finally seems like a get-right spot for the Renegades, I’ve been saying they were going to do that for the past three weeks. They haven’t.
Therefore, I can’t put my faith in them. Louisville Kings (-1.5) on Chris Redman bobblehead night. Bobblehead nights are undefeated thus far, so we can’t fade them.
St. Louis Battlehawks (-3) @ Houston Gamblers
The last game on our UFL Week 9 picks sheet is the Battlehawks on the road to take on the Houston Gamblers. This is a rematch from a game last weekend, where the Gamblers beat St. Louis 23-16 at home.
I get it, it feels like the perfect revenge angle for the Battlehawks. It’s bobblehead night in Houston, though. Houston also showed that it can pressure Luis Perez into making mistakes after he threw two interceptions. Not to mention was flustered enough to let the clock expire with the ball on the three-yard line.
If you’re familiar with my takes on the UFL Gambling Podcast, I don’t think Luis Perez is that great a quarterback. Good stats? Sure. He just lacks that winning nature. Argue with me on it, call it an asinine take, my opinion won’t change. Gamblers moneyline gets it done again.
