USFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS PREVIEW & PICKS

BY ADAM GREENE

Whether we like it or not, the USFL playoffs are here. And, like their XFL counterparts, we’re going to get a team with a losing record in the championship game. The XFL, at least, had an excuse as this was their first year in existence. The USFL has none.

Still, thanks to the the odds, lines and totals we have plenty of reasons to watch.

USFL POWER RANKINGS

1. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (8-2)

The Stallions could have taken their foot off the gas in their Week 10 match up with the Memphis Showboats, but instead they kept their hot streak going, won the game, and made sure Memphis would not make it into the bracket. Last week: No. 1

2. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (7-3)

New Orleans found itself in a real battle to hold onto their playoff berth, but got the job done against a Houston Gamblers team that, at one time, was the best in the USFL. Last week: No. 2

3. HOUSTON GAMBLERS (5-5)

The Gamblers got hot in the middle of the season, but cooled down at the worst possible time. Thanks to the USFL playoff rules, they’ll now watch the postseason at home after spending weeks atop the Power Rankings. Last week: No. 3

4. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (5-5)

Memphis made it interesting at the end of the season, winning five straight. But two consecutive losses to end the year ensured they’d spend the end of June on their Barcaloungers. Last week: No. 4

5. PITTSBURGH MAULERS (4-6)

The Maulers have officially gone from worst to first, thanks to a downright pathetic showing from every team in the USFL North. They’re in the playoffs and could very well make the championship game. This is a real problem for the league. Last week: No. 6

6. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (4-6)

For most of the year the Panthers and Maulers looked like the worst teams in the league. It’s not that they started to play better, but that every other team in the USFL North took a faceplant into a pile of cow manure. Last week: No. 8

7. PHILADELPHIA STARS (4-6)

The Stars had a chance to return to the playoffs and instead will return to their man caves after a three-point loss to the pathetic Panthers. Last week: No. 7

8. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (3-7)

While the Maulers went from worst to first, the Generals did the exact opposite. Not only that, but New Jersey posted the second-best record in the league in 2022 and the worst in 2023. It’s a bad look. Last week: No. 5

SATURDAY

MICHIGAN PANTHERS AT PITTSBURGH MAULERS (-3, O/U: 38)

No one is happy about this and they shouldn’t be. The XFL was already embarrassed by a team with a losing record winning their championship and now the USFL has two teams with a shot at doing the same after the Panthers knocked off the Philadelphia Stars, 23-20. EJ Perry was bad at quarterback, which is not a surprise, going 12 of 23 for 121 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He led the team with 10 rushes for 48 yards and a TD. Trey Quinn caught three passes for 44 yards. Frank Ginda put 12 tackles and a pass defense in the books. Sean Mahone, Breeland Speaks and Kai Nacua had six tackles apiece, with Mahone and Nacua adding a pass defense.

We might not like it, but this is what we’re getting. Thanks to the Maulers dominating the New Jersey Generals to the tune of 26-6, Pittsburgh is in the playoffs and, not only that, is officially the USFL North champion. God help us all. Troy Williams was not spectacular in the win, but that’s to be expected in this league. He went 17 of 25 for 154 yards and a touchdown. He added six rushes for 40 yards. Garrett Grosheck led the team with 12 carries for 53 yards. Madre London carried the ball nine times for 16 yards and a TD. Isiah Hennie ended his day with six receptions for 48 yards and a score. On defense, Reuben Foster wrapped with eight tackles, one for a loss and a pass defense. Kyahva Tezino had seven tackles and one pass defense. K Gipson, Jr. had five tackles and a pass defense. B Roberts had two tackles, one sack and a tackle for a loss. Arnold Tarpley III had two tackles, one interception and a pass defense. Mark Gilbert finished with one tackle, one pick and three passes defended.

Pittsburgh and Michigan played two games this season and the Maulers won them both. Saturday, they’ll make it three. Maulers 20, Panthers 16

SUNDAY

NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS AT BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (-2.5, O/U: 45)

The Breakers had a battle on their hands, but did enough last week to hold onto their playoff spot with a 17-10 win over the Houston Gamblers. McLeod Bethel-Thompson ended his afternoon 12 of 31 for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Wes Hills finished with nine carries for 20 yards to lead the team. Johnnie Dixon caught three passes for 60 yards and a TD. Jerod Fernandez recorded 10 tackles and a tackle for a loss. Vontae Diggs had nine tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, a pick and a pass defense. J Elder had eight tackles. Derrion Rakestraw and Nigel Chavis had six tackles each with Rakestraw added a pass defense. Jordan Brailford had four tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss. Keonte Schad had three tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss.

Birmingham could have phoned it in and played back ups in their season finale against the Memphis Showboats. Instead, they might have looked the best they have all season in a 27-20 win over the Showboats. Alex McGough went 22 of 33 for 282 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He added seven scrambles for 32 yards. CJ Marable rushed 10 times for 56 yards and a TD. D Davis caught nine passes for 114 yards. Jace Sternberger caught four balls for 84 yards and a score. Deon Cain had five receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown. B Buck ended his night with nine tackles. Rashad Smith had eight tackles. TJ Carter had six tackles and one pass defense. JoJo Tillery and Nate Holley wrapped with five tackles apiece.

New Orleans deserves to be in this game and, if the playoffs were set up smarter, they’d make it to the title game. Unfortunately, their run ends here. Stallions 27, Breakers 20

Last week

Straight up: 2-2

Against the spread: 1-3

Season

Straight up: 26-14

Against the spread: 23-17

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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