In week 9 of the USFL season, my faith was restored in the New Orleans Breakers. We are second in the Southern Division and only have one more loss than the Birmingham Stallions. We had a rough patch, but we have our winning streak back, and it feels so good!

The Memphis Showboats have been showing promise the last few weeks, but they got blown out by the New Orleans Breakers in week 9. A feather in our cap, if I don’t say so myself. The Saturday game was a complicated one based on the three-hour weather delay due to thunder halfway through the game. Delays are hard for any team to recover from, but the Breakers didn’t have any advantages over the Showboats, and it was Memphis’ home turf, so if anyone had the upper hand, it was them.

New Orleans Breakers Studs

First and foremost, credit needs to be given where credit is due. Last week, I was harsh when it came to the defense’s shortcomings. In week 9, they were exceptional and were true studs on the field, as evidenced by the score.

It was hard to identify one prominent star in a sea of winners, but one player, in particular, stood out. Who? Safety James Wiggins. His two interceptions made him one of the most talented players of Week 9.

Week 9

Breakers HC John DeFilippo – WGNO

I wasn’t the only person impressed with the defense – Coach DeFilippo had high praise for them as well. They worked all week to step up their game, and they did. The head coach was quoted as saying: “I can’t give our defense enough kudos than I can. Boy, we got after the passer all day long.” The Showboats quarterback, Cole Kelley, was sacked five times on Saturday.

New Orleans Breakers Duds

The team was so fantastic, and it doesn’t feel right to poke holes in what was largely an incredible performance. So we won’t.

The dud for this game for New Orleans (and in general) was the weather. What gives Tennessee? A three-hour delay sucked for fans and players alike. Next time, get your weather machine out and fix it.

Memphis Showboats Studs

Coach Todd Daley’s stingers were the studs. Who needs opponents when your own head coach roasts you like a beef brisket?

What was his best for week 9? “When you turn the football over five times, you’re generally not going to have a chance to win.” Ouch! That statement was scathing.

Memphis Showboats Duds

So… everyone? No, like literally everyone. Did anyone stand out as a particular dud? There are a few.

The defense didn’t even come to play for week 9. In their minds, they were still on their couches, playing video games in their pajamas. 31 points? They must have thought they were the ones winning in the video game (ever had that happened in Mario Carts? Me neither…).

QB Cole Kelley was throwing passes that were easily picked and got sacked often enough that it’s like he didn’t know he was supposed to move when the defense came—the same comments for the Memphis defense work for the Showboat’s o-line too this week.

At this point, it feels a bit cruel to keep picking at all of the failures. Honorable dud mentions go to all of the showboats who fumbled the ball. Without you, we wouldn’t have won quite so overwhelmingly.

Showboats QB Cole Kelley (3) – Peter Thomas/USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Breakers have one more week to go in the regular season. Week 9 was an impressive win and will leave the team with a winning record for the second season in a row. There is still a possibility for New Orleans to go to the playoffs, but it all depends on Week 10. I feel confident with Coach DeFilippo at the helm and such a talented offense and defense behind him.