Predictions for Houston Roughnecks vs Memphis Showboats Match

• The Memphis Showboats are 6-point home favorites over the Houston Roughnecks in UFL action on Saturday
• Houston has scored only 15 points through two games
• See my Roughnecks vs Showboats Picks and Predictions below

A battle of winless UFL teams take the field Saturday in Memphis, as the Showboats (0-2, 0-1 home) host the Houston Roughnecks (0-2, 0-1 home). The Roughnecks have won just once since the start of the 2024 campaign, and online sportsbooks expect another losing effort. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30 pm ET, with ESPN and ESPN+ providing the broadcast coverage.

Roughnecks vs Showboats Odds

Memphis is currently favored by 6 points and -250 on the moneyline. Houston comes back as a +205 underdog, while the total sits at 35.5. The ladder number seems way too high given the strength, or lack thereof, of both offenses.

Odds as of April 11 at DraftKings. See the DraftKings promo code details before signing up.

Roughnecks vs Showboats Predictions

My prediction is these two teams are going to struggle to hit 30 points, let alone 35. The Roughnecks and Showboats are the two lowest scoring teams in the USFL Conference, which was exactly the case last year as well.

Houston has scored a total of 15 points through two games. They were destroyed by St. Louis 31-6 in their season opener, and then fell 11-9 to Arlington last week.

The problem with the Roughnecks is two-fold. They lack talent at the skill positions, and they don’t have a reliable quarterback. Houston tried to address the talent issue this week, trading for wideout Marcus Simms. He was an All-UFL receiver a season ago, catching 23 passes for 426 yards and 3 TD.

Adding Simms gives the receiver room credibility, but who’s going to get him the football? Anthony Brown is the Roughnecks starter, but he’s already playing on borrowed time. Brown has completed only 19 of 41 passes, and has three times as many interceptions as touchdowns. Backup Nolan Henderson hasn’t fared any better, going 7 of 21, for just 68 yards.

To make matters worse, Houston can’t run the ball. The Roughnecks have rushed for a league-low 157 yards so far, nearly 300 yards less than St. Louis.

As for the Memphis defense, it’s by no means elite, but it does boast one terrific piece. Linebacker Steele Chambers has 10 tackles in each of the Showboats two contests, the only player in the UFL who can say that. Memphis has allowed an average of 21.5 points per outing, but has faced Michigan and DC, two above average offenses. They’re weaker against the pass than the run, but that likely won’t matter versus a Houston offense that can’t do either well.

The Showboats offense hasn’t fared much better than the Roughnecks, as they rank third last in scoring. They’re averaging only 12.5 points per game, and rank second last in rushing. As a team, they lead the UFL in passing yards, but have given both quarterbacks snaps. E.J. Perry has seen the bulk of the work, but he’s questionable after missing two practices this week.

If Perry can’t go, Troy Williams will likely make the start. He’s 8 of 11, for 104 yards, with an INT. The Houston defense ranks last in yards allowed, and third worst in points allowed. They’ve forced only one turnover all season, and have yet to intercept a pass. They did perform significantly better last week than in their season opener, keeping All-UFL QB Luis Perez in check.

Roughnecks vs Showboats Picks

• Under 35.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

Perez is the top QB in the league, but he couldn’t get things going versus the Roughnecks. Houston held him to 211 yards and 1 TD, and the also shut down Kalen Ballage, the league’s most dangerous rusher. The Roughnecks limited Ballage to 38 rushing yards on 12 carries. If they can stand up to Perez and Ballage, they should be able to do the same versus Memphis.

That will be amplified if Perry sits. Williams has dual threat ability but has been unable to make strides as a passer despite playing a handful of seasons of spring football.

Even if Perry plays, there’s not a ton to be optimistic about the Showboats offense. They do feature the league’s leading receiver Jonathan Adams, but no other player on the team has more than 51 receiving yards.

I’m picking a low-scoring game and giving serious thought to grabbing Houston and the points as well. Memphis shouldn’t be laying 6 points to anyone in this league. The Roughnecks may only have one win since the start of the 2024 season, but the Showboats have just two.

The highly anticipated matchup between the Houston Roughnecks and the Memphis Showboats is set to take place this weekend, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Both teams have shown impressive performances so far this season, making this game a must-watch for football enthusiasts.

The Houston Roughnecks have been dominating the competition with their high-powered offense led by quarterback PJ Walker. Walker has been a standout player this season, throwing for over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns in just four games. The Roughnecks also boast a strong defense that has been able to shut down opposing offenses and create turnovers.

On the other hand, the Memphis Showboats have been a surprise contender this season, with a solid record of 3-2. Quarterback Brandon Silvers has been leading the charge for the Showboats, throwing for over 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Showboats also have a strong running game, with running back Zac Stacy averaging over 80 yards per game.

In terms of predictions for this matchup, it’s expected to be a close and competitive game. The Roughnecks have the edge in terms of offensive firepower, but the Showboats have shown that they can hang with the best of them. It will likely come down to which defense can make the crucial stops and which offense can capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Overall, fans can expect an exciting and high-scoring game between these two talented teams. It’s sure to be a nail-biter until the final whistle blows. Be sure to tune in this weekend to see who comes out on top in this thrilling matchup between the Houston Roughnecks and the Memphis Showboats.