Game Information
St. Louis Battlehawks (2-2) vs Michigan Panthers (3-1)
Time: 6pm CT Saturday
How to watch: ESPN
DraftKings Odds
Spread: Panthers -1
Total: 36.5 (over -112, under -108)
Battlehawks Try To Snap Skid
The St. Louis Battlehawks hope to avoid a three-game losing streak tonight when they welcome the Michigan Panthers to The Dome at America’s Center.
The 2-2 Battlehawks are in third place in the XFL Conference, one game behind co-leaders DC and Arlington. The Panthers currently hold the top spot in the USFL Conference at 3-1. The top two teams in each conference advance to the UFL playoffs at the conclusion of the 10-game regular season.
Battlehawks Struggling
The Battlehawks have dropped their last two games against their primary division rivals in DC and Arlington, and they also lost their starting quarterback Manny Wilkins last week to a torn Achilles.
The Battlehawks turn to former TCU standout Max Duggan as their new starter under center. Duggan completed just 8-of-17 passes for 78 yards and 2 interceptions in relief of Wilkins last week, including a pick-six on the deciding play of the game.
Panthers Playing Well
Michigan is coming off a 27-9 rout of the Memphis Showboats last week. It was the Panthers’ third consecutive game at home, so they will be challenged tonight in front of the Battlehawks’ rabid fan base.
The Panthers are the top scoring team in the UFL averaging 22.7 points per game, although statistically they have played the league’s easiest schedule.
My Lean
It’s hard to believe that Michigan’s 22.7 points per game is the best scoring average of any team in the UFL, but that is indeed the case.
I think the Battlehawks will hold the Panthers under their season average tonight. The Battlehawks allowed 30 points at Arlington last week, but 16 of those points came as a result of two defensive touchdowns scored by Arlington. In fact, the only reason last week’s game went over the total is because there were three defensive touchdowns. That is highly unlikely to happen again.
I don’t expect the Battlehawks’ offense to be humming tonight with a backup quarterback in Duggan, so I definitely lean under in this game.
Lean: Under 36.5 at -108 on DraftKings
Eric Sontag hosts Domesticated Gamblers every Friday on the Sports Hub STL YouTube channel. Follow him on X @GamblingDads, and click here for his daily picks on all of our St. Louis area sports teams. Picks = betting the game - minus odds betting to win 1 unit, plus odds risking 1 unit. Leans = no strong opinion, not betting the game. Disclaimer