Just across the halfway mark of the USFL season and the league couldn’t be in a more exciting situation. With the North Division being one of the most balanced and competitive divisions in pro sports and the South Division being close to as tight as the North, the league will see many pivotal and entertaining matchups as the race to the playoffs really kicks off.
A Look Around the League
As previously mentioned, the USFL couldn’t be in a more exciting place. At this point in the season, every matchup matters more than ever. Why you may be asking? Well, the North Division currently has a four-way tie for its top spot, with four teams in the division itself. The New Jersey Generals, Pittsburgh Maulers, Michigan Panthers, and Philadelphia Stars all sit at 2-3, fighting their way through each other trying to put themselves in the playoffs.
As for the South Division, the New Orleans Breakers lead the pack at 4-1, but the Houston Gamblers aren’t too behind at 3-2, along with the defending league champs in the Birmingham Stallions with a 3-2 record of their own. Now, finding their stride, the Memphis Showboats have clawed themselves back into the picture too, just one game behind.
USFL Week 6 Preview
Pittsburgh Maulers (2-3) at Memphis Showboats (2-3), Saturday, 12:30 P.M. EST, USA Network
The Pittsburgh Maulers are riding the hot seat after a dominant performance in Detroit. Finding their stride with Troy Williams at QB, the already dominant defense has found a well-oiled offense to go with it. With a dual-threat attack with Troy Williams in both the passing and rushing game, the Maulers can strike in any way they please. Coach Ray Horton has his team believing that they are the best team in the North, and right now, they are playing like it.
Similarly, the Showboats have turned around their season with back-to-back wins since Cole Kelley came into the starting quarterback role. Already having some offensive firepower, the Showboats’ defense sat at the bottom of the USFL just weeks ago. Now, riding the high off of a matchup in which they controlled the league’s best team in the New Orleans Breakers, handing them their first defeat, the Showboats’ defense showed some prowess. With three takeaways in last week’s matchup, winning the turnover battle will be the most important key for Memphis. To me, they get it done and cover the -2.5 point spread.
Troy Williams (11) dives for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Stars. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images).
Birmingham Stallions (3-2) at Michigan Panthers (2-3), Saturday, 4 P.M. EST, Fox
With Michigan losing their last three games and still hoping to find their first win at home, the Panthers don’t have much momentum heading into this week’s matchup. Constantly shooting themselves in the foot on offense, and tiring out their defense, has been a deadly combo for the team, leading to their downfall in each of the last three weeks. Coach Mike Nolan has gotten more and more assertive in media availability, shifting from hopeful for change to guaranteeing it. Luckily for his Panthers crew, the USFL North is wide open. Expect Michigan to bring the heat, trying to get their first home win in Detroit, and get themselves back into the playoff hunt.
The Birmingham Stallions could very well be the best team in the USFL by the end of the year. Right now, they are dealing with the injury bug, leading them to fall from grace. With a 20-7 loss to the Houston Gamblers last week, the Stallions have a chance to rebound against a struggling team in Michigan. If the Panthers put up a clean game, this could be challenging due to Birmingham’s lack of depth at the moment. In a close USFL South, the Stallions are in need of a road win this week.
Even with the Injury big, the Stallions should cover the -5 point spread here as the Panthers haven’t made any significant changes to give some hope to their fans.
Memphis Showboats defensive end Big Kat Bryant (59) pressures Michigan Panthers quarterback Carson Strong (11) during a USFL game on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Ford Field in Detroit. (Nic Antaya/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)
New Orleans Breakers (4-1) at Philadelphia Stars (2-3), Sunday, 12 P.M. EST, FS1
Although the Stars are coming off a win, they haven’t shown much to impress. Carried by kicker Luis Aguilar and his pro-football record-breaking eight field goals, in last week’s win, Philly hasn’t shown the USFL that they have much to contribute in the competition for the North. Despite being the league runner-up last season, Bart Andrus’s team looks to be a USFL basement dweller in 2023.
New Orleans enters this game after suffering their first loss of the year. Still, they are favored by seven points, and for good reason. Without a doubt, the best team in the league, the New Orleans Breakers have a scary offense led by QB Mcleod Bethel-Thompson and an extremely strong defensive front. Rebounding against a weak Stars team, the Breakers cover and win.
New Orleans Breakers quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (1) gets upended by Pittsburgh Maulers’ linebacker Reuben Foster (10) on a run during the second half of a USFL football game at Protective Stadium. (Vasha Hunt/USA TODAY Sports).
New Jersey Generals (2-3) at Houston Gamblers (3-2), Sunday 4 P.M. EST, Fox
Now, I know they’ve had some issues as of late, but the New Jersey Generals are still a team to fear in the USFL North. With running back Darius Victor looking to bounce back after a rough performance last week, the Generals’ ground-and-pound offense will pose a challenge for Houston. Quarterback De’Andre Johnson has shown zero sign of slowing down either, so expect a high-scoring attack for the Generals. The question for New Jersey remains though. Is their defense up to the challenge? After allowing Philadelphia to drive down their throats all last week, the Generals need to step up their game if they want a change against the Gamblers.
As Fox Sports USFL Analyst Rj Young is claiming, the Houston Gamblers could be the best team in the USFL and this is the week to prove it. Playing an extremely tough Generals squad after downing a tough Stallions team, the Gamblers must bank off their momentum and continue to roll to the top of the USFL South. Runningback Mark Thompson will contribute to that without a doubt, continuing to physically charge his team down the field in week six. Although the Generals are favored by 1.5, the Gamblers are my home underdog this week.
Gamblers QB Kenji Bahar (11) scrambles for a large gain in a 2023 matchup. (Michael Reaves/USFL/Getty Images).
