Memphis Showboats 2024 UFL Schedule Analysis

Throughout the past two years, the Memphis Showboats have gone through their share of changes, starting as the Tampa Bay Bandits in 2022 as part of the USFL. The following year, the team moved to Memphis to become the Showboats. Todd Haley coached the team during those two years, and former New Orleans Breakers coach John DeFilippo has replaced him ahead of the inaugural UFL season.

Other changes to the team include a new quarterback in Case Cookus, who came from the Philadelphia Stars. The UFL Dispersal Drafts gave the team more talent both on offense and defense.

With the roster in place, the Showboats look like a team that could make waves in 2024 and compete with the Birmingham Stallions for the USFL Conference’s top spot.

Here is the full Memphis Showboats schedule and early analysis of each game.

Memphis Showboats Schedule Analysis

Breaking Down All 10 Regular Season Games (All Times ET):

Week 1: Memphis Showboats at Houston Roughnecks (Sunday, March 31 at 3 pm on ESPN)

Both matchups against Houston last season — then the Gamblers — were close, competitive games within four points. They split the series 1-1. Memphis will look to have a faster start to the season than last year, when they began 0-3.

Week 2: San Antonio Brahmas at Memphis Showboats (Saturday, April 6 at 12 pm on ESPN)

Wade Phillips’ defense will always be among one of the best as they are aggressive and physical. San Antonio has some questions offensively that could leave Cookus and his offense with less pressure to score a lot of points.

Week 3: Memphis Showboats at Birmingham Stallions (Saturday, April 13 at 7 pm on FOX)

Many will remember the Showboats and Stallions’ first game together last year, a 42-2 affair after which Haley was not happy with Birmingham coach Skip Holtz for running up the score, Their second matchup was closer, but the Stallions pulled out a 27-20 win to end Memphis’ playoff hopes. Expect these games to be competitive each time they meet in 2024.

Week 4: Memphis Showboats at St. Louis Battlehawks (Saturday, April 20 at 12:30 pm on ABC)

This game features two of the best passing attacks in the UFL, giving it the makings of a shootout. St. Louis has reloaded on defense, but Memphis has enough weapons to make this one of the more appealing games of the year.

Week 5: Michigan Panthers at Memphis Showboats (Sunday, April 28 at 3 pm on FOX)

Last season, Memphis dominated Michigan 29-10 to help spark a five-game winning streak for the Showboats. The Panthers’ offense has some question marks, but their defense will keep them in the game. 

Week 6: Birmingham Stallions at Memphis Showboats (Saturday, May 4 at 12 pm on ABC)

The rematch between these two teams will have early playoff implications as the two teams battle for the top spot in the USFL Conference. This should be a slugfest with Memphis in a must-win game.

Week 7: Memphis Showboats at Arlington Renegades (Saturday, May 11 at 1 pm on ESPN)

Memphis stays put in Arlington, facing the Renegades for the first time in franchise history. Bob Stoops’ team has an interesting dynamic, with experts not really knowing the team’s identity after winning the XFL championship. The Renegades’ defense struggled against top-tier quarterbacks last year in the XFL, which could bold well for Cookus.

Week 8: Memphis Showboats at Michigan Panthers (Saturday, May 18 at 4 pm on FOX)

Game two between these teams should once again have a big say in the outlook of the UFL playoffs. This will be Memphis’ last road game of the year before playing in front of their home crowd to close out the season, so a road win would set them up for a smoother two-game stretch.

Week 9: D.C. Defenders at Memphis Showboats (Sunday, May 26 at 2:30 pm on FOX)

With two games remaining, the D.C. Defenders coming to town provide one of Memphis’ toughest opponents. Jordan Ta’amu is back at quarterback, and the Defenders have gotten stronger on defense. A win against D.C. would have the Showboats rolling through the end of the season and potentially into the playoffs.

Week 10: Houston Roughnecks at Memphis Showboats (Sunday, June 2 at 7 pm on FOX)

Memphis opened the season with the Roughnecks and will close the season out against them as well. Most experts believe Birmingham will be the top seed in the USFL Conference, leaving this game as a battle for the second seed.