San Antonio Brahmas vs. Houston Roughnecks

With the DC Defenders hot on their heels, the San Antonio Brahmas are in a must-win situation as they take on the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday.

The Brahmas’ two-game winning streak was snapped by an 18-12 road loss to the Defenders, but they still maintain a one-game lead for second place in the XFL Conference standings. While John Lovett exploded for 153 yards rushing, quarterback Quinten Dormady struggled with just 79 passing yards with one touchdown and two turnovers in the loss.

Houston’s offense has been going through a rough patch as they have only scored 17 total points in the last two games, losing to the top two teams in the UFL, the Birmingham Stallions and the St. Louis Battlehawks. The Roughnecks are the only team in the league that has yet to reach 100 points on the season.

San Antonio Brahmas vs. Houston Roughnecks Preview

Game information

Line: Brahmas -3, O/U 40

Date/Location: Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas

Kickoff time: 3:00 p.m. EST

Weather Forecast: Thunderstorms, 82 degrees, 35% precipitation

Television/Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+

Injury report

San Antonio will miss running back Anthony McFarland Jr. as he continues to deal with his right shoulder injury. Starting cornerback Darius Phillips is also out with a left groin injury.

The Roughnecks are in a better position with injuries, as they will only be without defensive tackle Toby Johnson due to a right knee injury. Receiver Emmanuel Butler is questionable due to a left hamstring injury, but he is still listed on the depth chart.

Depth maps

At cornerback for the Brahmas, it will be Gavin Heslop and Corey Mayfield Jr. who will start. Running back Morgan Ellison was listed on the injury report with a left shoulder injury, but he will support Lovett with McFarland out.

A quarterback change has occurred for Houston as Jarrett Guarantano returns as the starter for the first time since Week 2 against the DC Defenders. Defensive tackle Jeffery Johnson is back from injury as he will serve as a backup for the game.

The keys to victory

The Houston Roughnecks need to move Mark Thompson forward. Guarantano might need time to get back into the flow of the game, so establishing a running game against the fifth-ranked rushing defense will be key.

Dormady is out of steam as a starter if he can’t turn things around with a good performance. His replacement Kevin Hogan could be ready to step in if Dormady has another multi-turnover game.

Prediction

San Antonio is trending in the wrong direction despite a 4-2 record. They have more to lose in the playoff race than the Roughnecks, so a win has to happen. The Brahmas look a lot like last year’s Houston Roughnecks team that struggled to close out the season. Wade Phillips’ crew must win to avoid a similar fate.

San Antonio Brahmas 26, Houston Roughnecks 13

You can follow Anthony Miller on X @ByAnthonyMiller.

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