USFL Week 4 Preview: Matchups, Analysis, and Predictions:
New Orleans Breakers (3-0) vs. New Jersey Generals (2-1) at Canton, Ohio, 3 p.m. EST, Sunday, NBC.
For anyone paying attention to the young USFL season, it’s been apparent that the New Orleans Breakers are the cream of the crop the league offers. The lone undefeated team, sitting a 3-0 record with the most points scored in the league, has found its spark with quarterback Mecleod Bethel-Thompson at the helm. Sitting at the top of the South division, the Breakers are a part of the must-watch matchup of the week, taking on the red-hot New Jersey Generals and the league’s best defense.
After an opening-week loss to the Birmingham Stallions, the Generals dominated Michigan and Pittsburgh in back-to-back weeks. Beating both teams by a combined score of 48-16, it’s been the dual-headed rushing attack led by running back Darius Victor and De’Andre Johnson at QB, causing so much damage for New Jersey.
Despite what the Stallions want people to think, the New Orleans Breakers have let the league know that the South division is not “Birmingham and everyone else,” crushing the Stallions 45-31 in a game in which they totaled 483 total yards. With a near-perfect performance, the Breakers will look to emulate that with fewer rivalry game emotions on the line. It’s going to be hard to replicate the dominance shown so far, especially against a strong Generals squad, but New Orleans has shown me no reason to doubt them. I think New Jersey covers the +2.5 point spread, but the Breakers remain on top of the USFL with a win.
New Jersey Generals QB De’Andre Johnson (1) pump fakes while rushing in an early season matchup. (Tim Nwachukwu/USFL/Getty Images).
Houston Gamblers (1-2) vs. Philadelphia Stars (1-2), Detroit, Michigan, 1 p.m. EST, Saturday, Fox.
With three second-half turnovers and a shaky performance from quarterback Case Cookus, the Stars self-destructed against the Pittsburgh Maulers last week. Despite a solid defensive performance, in which they kept Pittsburgh out of the endzone, the Stars failed to capitalize at any point in the game.
Similarly, Houston had the same type of performance, but a different outcome in their matchup with the Memphis Showboats, rallying for a last-second win. On the inverse from Philly, it is impossible to trust Houstons’ defense. Giving up 29, 38, and 26 points in three games, they are yet to show any ability to shut down an offense. Houston does have their new weapon in quarterback Kenji Bahar, a great addition for the season who has elevated the offense, but will it be enough?
Well, if the Stars can figure out their dismal run game and get one of their backs to gain more than 31 yards, then my answer is no. All Philadelphia needs to do is continue their strong defensive stands and use the weak Houston defense as a tune-up week for the run game. If that occurs, Cookus will be able to settle in and have a much cleaner game. Both teams should score high here, but Philadelphia has the upper hand. They win and cover the -2.5 spread.
Philadelphia Stars quarterback Case Cookus (10) is pressured in a game against the Birmingham Stallions. (David Dermer/AP Photo).
Memphis Showboats (0-3) vs. Michigan Panthers (2-1), Detroit, Michigan, 7:30 p.m. EST, Saturday, NBC.
The only winless team left in the league, the Memphis Showboats have been a mess to start the 2023 campaign. A terribly ineffective defense that has given up a league-high of 99 points so far this season has been the downfall of the young team. Even with Michigan struggling offensively against the Generals last week and a QB competition on the rise between Carson Strong and Josh Love, this game still shouldn’t be close, even heading into the second half.
After a rough performance last week, Coach Mike Nolan and crew will look to have their “get right” game against the Showboats. With a mediocre Pittsburgh team up next for Michigan, this win becomes evermore crucial, trying to set themselves up to be 4-1 before Birmingham visits Ford Field. Against the worst defense the USFL has to offer, the Panthers should be able to get back into the win column in a hefty fashion, covering the -6 spread as well.
Birmingham Stallions (2-1) vs. Pittsburgh Maulers (1-2), Canton, Ohio, 6:30 p.m. EST, Sunday, FS1.
The 2022 USFL champions started the season strong but had a straight-up ugly week in a 45-31 loss to the Breakers. A complete turnaround from the start of their 2023 USFL campaign, where they didn’t allow a single point offensively the week before.
Now, with the bump in the road over and done with, things should get back to normal for Birmingham. Facing an offense that has failed to produce so far this season and is towards the bottom of the USFL statistically with a league-low 39 points, the raging Stallions squad should bring the heat this week.
With Pittsburgh really only scraping by against Philadelphia because of USFL special teams player of the week Chris Blewitt and his league-record five field goals, that won’t be enough if the Maulers want to win. Sure, the “Iron Gaurd” defensive line for Pittsburgh remains dominant, but this is still an uneven matchup.
Skip Holtz’s team will fend off the Maulers, not allowing much offensive production from Pittsburgh. Because of that, I would take the -7.5 point spread here as well. Stallions show out.
Birmingham Stallions RB Bo Scarborough (25) rushes in a game against the Michigan Panthers. (Dylan Buell/USFL/Getty Images).
