Fans don’t have to wait until August to watch some football. The UFL is back and headed to Washington, D.C.’s Audi Field on Sunday, April 7 as the DC Defenders prepare for their home opener. Looking to bounce back from a tough loss in San Antonio last week, the Defenders will have their hands full as the Houston Roughnecks come to town.
This is an old fashioned XFL battle. Last year, the Defenders and Roughnecks won the North Division and South Division, respectively. The two were seemingly on a collision course during the 2023 XFL Playoffs, but the Arlington Renegades upset Houston in the South Division Championship before taking down the Defenders in the 2023 XFL Championship. A year later, the two have the opportunity to settle the score in what should be a hotly contested interdivisional matchup.
The Schedule
First things first, let’s make sure we’re seated in time for this week’s matchup.
Network: FOX
Time: 4 PM EST
Date: Sunday, April 7, 2024
Location: Washington, D.C. (Audi Field)
There’s nothing worse than planning to watch the big game and then, learning it started earlier or later than previously expected. Let’s avoid all of the confusion and set the stage now. The UFL’s DC Defenders will make their home debut on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Audi Field. The entire game will be broadcast live on FOX. Curt Menefee and analyst Joe Klatt will handle play-by-play and color commentary. Meanwhile, Brock Huard is set to conduct sideline interviews and interject with information throughout the Week 2 matchup.
The Menu
Your Defenders watch party isn’t complete without great food.
The 2024 Division I Women’s Basketball Championship is set to tip-off at 3 PM EST on Sunday, April 7. Therefore, it’s pretty understandable if a few fans decide to stay home and watch both games unfold at home. However, this type of Sunday watch party deserves some good, old fashion takeout or carryout. Fortunately, Washington, D.C. is home to some of the best and most diverse cuisine in the world. Whether you want a full on Ethiopian meal or some chicken, fries and Mumbo sauce from the nearest carryout, Washington, D.C. has whatever a sports fan would need to enjoy this special spring Sunday of sports.
Legacy Carryout
Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM EST (Sunday)
Address: 10909C Livingston Rd, Fort Washington, MD
For those out in the state of Maryland, Legacy Carryout has a wide selection of entree perfect for Sunday’s matchup, including the Fried Fish Po’ Boy, Salmon Cheesesteak and fried chicken wings. Bringing it all together, Legacy Carryout also offers its delicious strawberry lemonade along with sodas, iced teas and much more. Not to mention, Legacy Carryout has rolled its Kids Menu to ensure the young ones don’t go starving watching the game either.
Mixxed DC
Hours: 12-8 PM EST
Address: 2427 18th St., N.W. Washington D.C.
Sitting in the heart of Adams Morgan, Mixxed DC has it all and then some. With the approval of Washington D.C. food critic, Big Schlim, Mixxed DC is stamped as one of the best new restaurants in the area, complete with smash burgers, chopped cheeses, quesadillas, wings and much more. Mixxed DC compliments its entrees with more mixed drinks then some could imagine, including nine different margaritas, mockatails, VIP cocktails and wine. Regardless of what you’re looking for, Mixxed DC has a little bit of everything needed to elevate your Sunday watch party.
The Venue
Going to watch the game? Choose your sports bar wisely.
Sports & Social
Hours: 11 AM – 2 AM EST (Sundays)
Address: 11800 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD
Nestled in the heart of North Bethesda, Sports and Social’s Maryland location is perfect for a DC Defenders watch party. While you’re going to have to hunt for a TV not airing Sunday’s national title game, Sports and Social does offer great food, a good atmosphere and a ton of televisions to watch the game of your choice. If you’re not going to Audi Field or watching the game at home, Sports & Social is a solid alternative.
Public Bar Live
Hours: 12 PM – 1 AM
Address: 1214 18th St NW, Washington, DC
Whether it’s a Jake Paul fight or a regular-season NBA game, Public Bar Live is always filled with sports fan searching for food, drinks and the nearest television. For those looking for more of a lively feel with a touch of the excitement of a nightclub, Public Bar Live is perfect. Sitting in the heart of Dupont Circle, it’s easy to reach by train or bus, but there’s one catch. It does tend to fill up fast on the weekend. While Sunday afternoon may not bring out the biggest crowds, it could be packed due to the women’s college basketball national title game. Therefore, anyone looking to watch the Defenders at Public Bar Live on Sunday should get there ahead of time and carve out your own space.
The Lines
Money Line
DC Defenders — -230
Houston Roughnecks — +190
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Point Spread
DC Defenders (-5) — -110
Houston Roughnecks (+5) — -110
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Over/Under
Over 40.5 Points — -110
Under 40.5 Points — -110
Alright, what time the game is, where we’re going to watch it and what we’re going to eat. Now, it’s time to examine what Las Vegas is trying to tell us about this week’s matchup. Both the Roughnecks and Defenders enter Week 2 winless. The Defenders lost a slow and somewhat rugged game against the San Antonio Brahmas by a score of 27-12. Meanwhile, the Roughnecks lost a heartbreaker against the Memphis Showboats by six. While the Defenders did lose by two possessions last Sunday, the oddsmakers still favor the home team at Audi Field this afternoon. The Defenders enter as -230 favorites with a five-point spread.
Note: All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook at 9:30 PM EST on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
