Michigan Panthers (4-2) vs. DC Defenders (3-3)
Start: Sunday noon.
Where: Audi Field in Washington.
TELEVISION: ESPN.
Streaming: Check out the Michigan Panthers at Fubo (free trial).
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Game notes: The Michigan Panthers can virtually clinch a spot in the United Football League playoffs — and the franchise’s first record of .500 or better in three seasons — with a win today. Memphis’ Saturday afternoon loss eliminated the 1-6 Showboats, and 1-5 Houston faces 4-2 San Antonio this afternoon at 3 p.m. DC’s playoff hopes are on the edge as they enter the day behind St. Louis (who won on Saturday) by 2 1/2 games and San Antonio by one game with three weeks to play after today.
This should be a good matchup for the Panthers, who entered the weekend with the second-ranked offense in the league, averaging 108.2 yards per game on the ground. The Defenders, however, are doing anything but that; DC, led by notorious former NFL defensive coordinator Gregg Williamsis second to last in stopping the run, with 112.5 yards per game, and stopping the pass, with 200.7 yards per game.
The Panthers have won two straight with backup QB Danny Etling under center; the former Purdue and LSU standout is completing 63.1% of his passes for 482 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Etling may not start against the Defenders, however, with reports suggesting that former Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke is now at the top of Michigan’s depth chart. The Panthers’ top target has been do-it-all Marcus Simms, who has 19 receptions for 385 yards — No. 2 in the league — and three touchdowns, while also delivering seven kickoff returns for 201 yards; he is fifth in all-purpose yards.
There is also likely to be a mix-up among the Panthers’ defenders, with star linebacker Frank Ginda – last season’s USFL Defensive Player of the Year – potentially out for the season. Ginda tied (with Kai Nacua) for the team lead in tackles with 35 (21 solo).
DC, meanwhile, features former Lions practice squad player – they’re everywhere – Jordan Ta’amu at quarterback. The former Ole Miss star — and last season’s XFL Offensive Player of the Year — is completing just 53.6% of his passes, but is third in yards (1,067) and second in TDs (eight). He’ll be looking for Kelvin Harmon, who has 338 receiving yards on 25 receptions — more than double any other Defenders option.
After today, the Panthers return home for the Ford Field final against the Showboats at 4pm on Saturday. (They close out the season with a visit to Houston on May 26 and a stop in Birmingham, Alabama, on June 1.) The Defenders, meanwhile, hit the road for two weeks — first at 26 St. — before shutting down at home against Arlington.
Contact Ryan Ford at rford@freepress.com. Follow him on X (which used to be Twitter, you know?) @theford.
This article originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers vs. Michigan Panthers Game Score DC Defenders: Time, TV channel
