Week 4 UFL Preview: Renegades, Defenders, and Storm Aim to Stay Undefeated

Zach Thompson breaks down the key matchups and betting lines for the upcoming slate of UFL games.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:57pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a UFL football game, with sharp planes of color representing the competing teams.The UFL's top teams battle for position in a visually striking, cubist-inspired illustration.Columbus Today

The fourth week of the UFL season kicks off on Thursday with the Louisville Kings visiting the Houston Gamblers, followed by a Friday night showdown between the Dallas Renegades and Columbus Aviators. On Saturday, the St. Louis Battlehawks travel to face the defending champion D.C. Defenders, and the Orlando Storm visit the Birmingham Stallions. Zach Thompson previews the key storylines and betting odds for each game.

Why it matters

The UFL is in the midst of an exciting season, with two teams still undefeated and several others jockeying for playoff position. This week's slate of games features several intriguing matchups that could have major implications on the league standings and championship race.

The details

The Renegades look to continue their undefeated start against the Aviators, who nearly pulled off an upset last week. The Defenders aim to avenge their only loss of the season against the Battlehawks, while the Storm try to stay perfect on the road against the struggling Stallions.

  • The Week 4 UFL games will be played from Thursday, April 16 through Saturday, April 18.
  • The Thursday night game between the Kings and Gamblers kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network.
  • The Friday night matchup between the Renegades and Aviators is at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
  • On Saturday, the Battlehawks-Defenders game is at 1:00 PM ET on ABC, followed by the Storm-Stallions game at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.

The players

Ty Scott

A wide receiver for the DC Defenders who had a standout performance in Week 3.

Jalen McClendon

The starting quarterback for the Columbus Aviators.

Austin Reed

The starting quarterback for the Dallas Renegades.

Deon Jackson

The UFL's leading rusher, playing for the DC Defenders.

Briley Moore

A versatile offensive weapon for the DC Defenders, lining up at tight end and fullback.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to build on our strong start and take care of business at home this week.”

— Jordan Ta'amu, Quarterback, DC Defenders

“Our defense has been the key to our success so far, and we'll need another dominant performance to slow down their explosive offense.”

— A.J. McCarron, Quarterback, Birmingham Stallions

What’s next

The UFL standings and playoff picture will become clearer after this weekend's games, setting the stage for the second half of the regular season.

The takeaway

The UFL's top contenders are separating themselves from the pack, with the Renegades, Defenders, and Storm all looking to maintain their undefeated records. However, the Battlehawks and Stallions will be eager to pull off upsets and shake up the league hierarchy.