Birmingham Stallions seeking to play 4 more games

The United Football League playoff race is heating up, with three postseason spots still up for grabs and just two weeks remaining in the regular season. For the Birmingham Stallions, the path to the playoffs is clear, though it relies on a specific sequence of results this weekend.

The Path to the Postseason

Birmingham can keep its momentum alive by taking care of business against Columbus this Saturday. However, clinching a playoff berth requires a bit of help. A sequence must begin with a DC Defenders win over the Orlando Storm on Friday night. If that happens, Birmingham must follow with a victory of their own on Saturday, coupled with wins by the Dallas Renegades over the Louisville Kings and the St. Louis Battlehawks over the Houston Gamblers on Sunday.

Linebacker Tae Crowder is keeping the team grounded as they hunt for a spot. "We got a guaranteed two weeks left," Crowder said. "So we want to put it on the line, enjoy these last two weeks and try to get four more weeks out of this."

Adjusting to the Aviators

The Stallions defeated Columbus 14-3 last Sunday, pushing their winning streak to three games and bringing their record to an even 4-4. While the matchup is familiar, the Aviators are changing their look on offense by benching starter Jalan McClendon for Jalen Morton. Morton, a former Stallion who was part of the 2023 USFL championship team, has seen limited action this year but brings a rushing threat to the table.

Team Resilience

The Stallions have found their rhythm, with the defense surrendering just 37 points over their last three outings. That unit is anchored by Crowder, who earned UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for his dominant performance against the Aviators last weekend.

Coach AJ McCarron credits the turnaround to a culture of accountability. Despite facing significant adversity—including a wave of injuries that has sidelined the starting left tackle, right tackle, right guard, and center over the past three weeks—the team has managed to stay competitive. While the offensive yardage has fluctuated, the spirit in the locker room remains high.

"Guys understand they’re holding each other accountable and they’re playing for each other, and that’s what makes a good team," McCarron said. Reflecting on the 45-28 loss to the DC Defenders back in April, McCarron noted that the team simply needed time to gel and align with the coaching staff's vision.

Game Day Details

The Stallions look to extend their streak when they face Columbus at 2 p.m. CDT this Saturday at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.

As Crowder put it, "We know we’re a good team. At first, it was tough. We had some tough losses and stuff like that. But we learned from it, we came back and, you know, went to work, and it’s been paying off for us lately. But as a team, we just got to keep believing and keep working."