Steve Irvine’s Stallions vs DEfenders Preview
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - April 24, 2026
By Steve Irvine
DC DEFENDERS AT BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
Kickoff time, site: 7 p.m. Protective Stadium, Birmingham
TV: Fox
Records: Birmingham (1-3); DC (3-1)
Coaches: AJ McCarron (Birmingham); Shannon Harris (DC).
THREE THINGS TO WATCH WHEN STALLIONS HAVE THE FOOTBALL
How effective will new quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson be in his first game with the Stallions? Thompson-Robinson’s first week with the Stallions included a crash course with his new offense and late nights at the offense. He probably didn’t have time to learn the entire offense but the focus was on getting him ready to do what it takes to attack the Defenders defense. Thompson-Robinson is a true dual threat so expect him to contribute with his arm and his legs. Chances are good that there will be a struggle or two but the Stallions are counting on him getting the job done.
Can the Stallions offense get back on track? Was the starting quarterback the only problem with the offense? Matt Corral certainly had struggles with turnovers and was completely ineffective in last week’s shutout loss. We will see on Friday if the quarterback switch takes care of the offensive woes.
Will the running game get going? It will be important to take some stress away from Thompson-Robinson by using the running game to chew up yardage. Anthony McFarland is one of the more talented running backs in the UFL but he’s still waiting on a breakout game. The Defenders average 4.7 yards per rush, so they can be susceptible to the run.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH WHEN THE KINGS HAVE THE FOOTBALL
Can the Stallions find a way to make Jordan Ta’amu uncomfortable? Ta’amu was sacked seven times in the Defenders lone loss this season. He’s been sacked a combined five times in the following three games. DC won all three of those games, including a win over a St. Louis team that beat DC in the opener. St. Louis had just two sacks in the rematch. Birmingham’s Izayah Green-May had two sacks last week in the loss to Orlando. The Stallions need other players to step up, particularly after losing Amari Bledsoe in a trade with Orlando.
Will the running game be a problem for the Birmingham defense? DC running back Deon Jackson leads league with 244 rushing yards on 40 carries. He’s averaging 6.1 yards per carry and has five rushing touchdowns. He is a problem for opposing defenses. Birmingham allows just 3.5 yards per carry and has given up one rushing touchdown in four games.
How many times will DC find the end zone? DC struggled to score in the opener and lost a 16-10 decision to St. Louis. Since then, the Defenders have scored 44 points, 45 points and 28 points. During that span, DC is averaging 317 yards per game after managing just 236 yards in the opening loss. Birmingham’s defense allowed six touchdowns in the first four games.