Two weeks of the UFL are in the books. We went 3-1 against the spread on opening weekend, but only 2-2 last week. This brings the season’s total to 5-3, which is still good. However, we’re looking to go 4-0. Let’s take a look at the 2026 UFL Week 3 preview, complete with picks and best bets!
2026 UFL Week 3 Preview, Picks, and Best Bets
Orlando Storm (-2.5) @ Louisville Kings
These two teams just faced off against each other in Week 2. While that game was in Orlando and this one is in Louisville, we still have a good idea of how it may go. Basing the gameplay of last week, this makes it one of my favorite UFL Week 3 bets.
The Storm have looked okay enough on offense. It’s their defense that has really shown up and helped them start 2-0. Anthony Becht always had strong defenses with the Battlehawks and an offense that did enough. That seems to be how this season is starting as well.
The Kings, on the other hand, have really struggled. The Jason Bean experiment may be over after he was benched last week after starting 4/15 on passes. It’ll be interesting to see if they start Chandler Rodgers this week to try and give them a spark. Rodgers didn’t look bad last week when he came in to play, but he did throw a crucial INT.
Given that these teams just played each other and the game plans won’t change much, I don’t expect much different of a result than the 19-9 we saw last weekend. Perhaps it’ll end 19-13, with the Kings giving a little more effort at home.
UFL Week 3 Picks: Storm (-3)
Houston Gamblers @ DC Defenders (-6.5)
The Defenders had a convincing win over the Columbus Aviators last week to bounce back from their Week 1 loss. It was against the team that has looked like the worst team in the league, however. Now they’ll face off against the Gamblers, who were considered one of the worst after Week 1.
However, the Gamblers bounced back with a comeback win over the Birmingham Stallions last week. They started Hunter Dekkers in that game, but he left the game injured. Nolan Henderson stepped back in as the starter and looked pretty decent.
I don’t think the Gamblers are as bad as others make them out to be. However, the home-opener in DC will be rocking, and the “Beer Snake” will be alive and well. The Defenders won’t lose their home opener, and something tells me they’ll win in big fashion.
UFL Week 3 Picks: Defenders -6.5
Columbus Aviators @ Dallas Renegades (-7)
This line doesn’t make a lot of sense. I’m not going to spend a long time pitching this game because it’s just too easy. Maybe it seems too obvious and is a trap. However, I don’t think so. The worst team in the league, the Columbus Aviators, hit the road to take on the best, the Dallas Renegades.
Ted Ginn Jr. has little coaching experience, and so far, it shows. Rick Neuheisel, on the other hand, has a lot of coaching experience, and it shows. Austin Reed and Tyler Vaughns have been on fire. Dae-Dae Hunter looked explosive in his debut on Tuesday night.
Normally, I’d fade the team that is coming off the short rest, but I don’t think you can do that in this one. This game will get ugly.
UFL Week 3 Picks: Renegades (-7)
Birmingham Stallions (-2.5) @ St. Louis Battlehawks
Both of these teams are coming off a loss, as the Birmingham Stallions have another road game. This one comes against the St. Louis Battlehawks in the BattleDome.
The Stallions lost last week to the Gamblers, as mentioned earlier. This Stallions team has been used to dominating spring football. However, with Skip Holtz no longer their coach, they seem a little lost. A.J. McCarron has yet to put up a convincing win.
Meanwhile, the Battlehawks lost to arguably the best team in the league. They hung in with the Renegades for a little bit in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell apart towards the end. However, I don’t understand the line favoring the road team in this one. Ricky Proehl’s unit may be 1-1, but they’ve looked better overall than the Stallions. The home dog wins this one.
UFL Week 3 Picks: Battlehawks +2.5, +130 ML
