2025 UFL Season: Week 2 Houston Roughnecks at Arlington Renegades Game Preview
The Houston Roughnecks hope to improve their performance in Week 2, as they renew their Texas Showdown rivalry against the Arlington Renegades early Sunday afternoon.
Houston hosted the first game of the UFL season last week, but took a beating against the St. Louis Battlehawks 31-6. The Roughnecks overall had the worst showing of any UFL team as they allowed 460 yards from the Battlehawks and racked up just 170 yards of offense.
Arlington came out of the gates swinging against the San Antonio Brahmas at home with a 33-9 blowout win. Running back Kalen Ballage shined in his first game in two years with 110 yards and a UFL-record 77-yard touchdown run.
Last season, Houston’s only win of the season was against the Renegades in Week 4 with a 17-9 win.
Game Details
Location: Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Date and Time: Sunday, April 6 at 12:00 pm EST
Network: ESPN
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Renegades -10.5, O/U 39.5
Roughnecks Inactives
As of this article release, Houston has not posted their inactive list. Their injury report did include defensive end Christopher Allen (left groin) and offensive tackle T.J. Bradley (left ankle, left knee) not practicing through Thursday and not being listed on the depth chart.
Renegades Inactives
Linebacker Storey Jackson was listed on the injury report with a right hand injury and was included on the inactive list. Safety Jamal Carter was limited in practice all week with a right calf injury and will also be inactive for the game.
Depth Charts
Houston will be starting Kirk Merritt at running back as he was listed behind Lorenzo Lingard last week, with ZaQuandre White being the third string. Cam Sutton is not listed at the tight end position, as Geor’Quarius Spivey is listed as Josh Pederson’s backup. The Roughnecks will have all-new starters at defensive end with Jamir Jones and T.J. Franklin taking over. Linebacker Xavier Benson is taking over as one of the outside linebackers, and Drew Lewis is moving to backup.
Arlington's only significant change is at free safety, as Myles Dorn replaces the inactive Carter. Nico Bolden moves in as the second-string free safety, behind him is Carlton Johnson.
Keys to Roughnecks Win
Anthony Brown has to get off to a faster start and get into rhythm with his receivers. Houston’s offense must get more creative in their play calls, get Brown on the move, and take advantage of his athletic ability. Merritt is a dual-threat running back who needs to be more involved in the offense.
After being gashed for over 200 yards rushing in Week 1, the Roughnecks face another team with a 100-yard game. With changes at defensive end and linebacker, the Roughnecks hope to be better at fundamental tackling and fight through the Renegades’ tough offensive line.
Keys to Renegades Win
The Renegades have been known as a passing offense, but last week, Ballage showed them a whole new dynamic with the running game. Continuing to stay balanced is essential, but it would be nice to see more Holton Ahlers jumping in for Luis Perez at quarterback with different packages as Houston struggles to defend mobile quarterbacks.
Arlington’s secondary showed much improvement last week with Steven Jones Jr. and Jayden Price performing well. Going up against top receivers in Justin Hall and Keke Chism will be essential to force Houston to rely on the running game early.
Prediction
Houston didn’t show any grit in Week 1, and with not much looking improved from all the changes on defense, there is a lot of concern that this team might not make significant strides this week. Arlington looked dominant against one of the best defenses in the UFL, so it might be an easy prediction to trust the spring king Perez to light up the Roughnecks’ defense, but not throw the air. Running the ball will be key as the Renegades look to be able to win two straight to start the season.
