In the ultimate upset of the USFL 2023 season, the New Orleans Breakers won, won, won, won, and now lost.

Self-Reflection On Loss

I can’t help but feel that we got a bit complacent after doing so well in the first four weeks. Memphis is at the bottom of our division, and yet they creamed us with a 17-10 win on May 14th. The Showboats are on a winning streak, and New Orleans should have broken that.

It is worth noting that Cole Kelley has been Memphis’ starting QB for the last two weeks, and each time he has bagged a win. Kelly’s fourth-quarter throw to John Mitchell and two-point conversion to Juwan Washington took the team from a tie to a win in the last few minutes of the game. Memphis may be getting better, but the Breakers should have been the best.

What’s The Problem, New Orleans Breakers?

It would be easy to pick on the defense; they didn’t hold Cole Kelley back in the final hour of the game. We could also point out the o-line didn’t protect their QB; McLeod Bethel-Thompson was sacked twice and lost possession of the ball when he was hit by LB Greg Reaves.

There were also crickets where we normally hear roars when it comes to the New Orleans Breakers wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs in this game. The Breakers were sloppy this game, and they will have to think hard about their mistakes so they don’t repeat them against the Philadelphia Stars on 5/21 at Ford Field.

Who’s this Cole Kelley? 

New Orleans Breakers

Cole Kelley, the Memphis Showboats new quarterback (FoxSports). Anyone else think he looks like Mr Beast?

Kelley is a Louisiana native who attended some smaller universities, including the University of Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana University. Cole was hardly a wallflower, though; he got the Walter Payton award in 2020–2021 and was named the first-team All-American in 2020 and 2021.

Apparently, the NFL missed this hidden talent. The Washington Commanders drafted Cole Kelley as an undrafted free agent in 2022 but released him in August of that year. No one will be able to miss this young quarterback now; he has carried the Memphis Showboats to victory twice with his expertise.

What The New Orleans Breakers Did Right

The defense also came through, though: CB Nevelle Clarke beautifully intercepted one of Cole Kelley’s throws, Clarke’s first of the season! CB Adonis Alexander also mimicked the deity he is named after when he did an incredible scoop and run after Breakers’ safety, Jarey Elder tackled Vinny Papale of the Memphis Showboats, forcing a fumble.

Any Memphis Showboats fans can gloat about their win by reading my overly confident article last week that predicted the New Orleans Breakers would defeat them. We’re still winning the division, though, and leading the entire league in wins. Just saying…