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Week 1 of the USFL season is in the books and I have to say it was a good one for me from a betting standpoint. Wagering on the spread and total in every game I hit seven of eight winners at BetRivers sportsbook to get the season started on a positive note much like the defending champion Birmingham Stallions, who just like last season opened with a win over New Jersey. With only one loss since the start of last season, the Stallions are the favorite on the USFL futures to win another title. There’s a lot of season left, however, and the Memphis Showboats are the next opponent. Birmingham opened as an 8.5-point favorite on the USFL betting line, the largest spread of the young season. Last year, the Stallions were favored by at least that many points twice going 1-1 SU and 0-2 ATS.
The betting week starts with a matchup between the Houston Gamblers and New Orleans Breakers. The best scoring defense in the league last year was at it again with the Breakers not allowing a touchdown in their 22-15 win over Pittsburgh. New Orleans cashed the UNDER in seven of 10 regular season games last year and did so again last Sunday while covering the 4-point spread for the sweep in my XFL betting picks. The only game preventing me from a Week 1 sweep was the Michigan/Houston contest. The Panthers are half way to their 2022 win total after a 29-13 win, but I bet the UNDER on a total 39. Oh well, still not bad for the first week and I’ll look to continue the heater in Week 2.
USFL Week 2 Schedule
Houston Gamblers (0-1) at New Orleans Breakers (1-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, April 22, 12:30 p.m. ET
Opening Odds: New Orleans -5.5, O/U 38
Gamblers at Breakers TV Coverage: USA
A dominant performance against Pittsburgh is reason for excitement, but the competition level rises for the Breakers on Saturday. They held the Maulers to just 156 total yards and didn’t allow an offensive touchdown. After a slow start McLeod Bethel-Thompson warmed up throwing for 302 yards and a TD. It is about the defense with the Breakers, though. The group surrendered just 16.4 points per game a season ago and it looks even stronger after abusing the Maulers. The Gamblers can stay in the game if they limit turnovers. New QB Kenji Behar struggled tossing a pair of interceptions and losing a fumble to account for three of the team’s four giveaways. I do think New Orleans is the better club at this point and I’ll back them minus the points as my USFL picks against the spread.
USFL Prediction: New Orleans -5.5 / UNDER 38
Memphis Showboats (0-1) at Birmingham Stallions (1-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m. ET
Opening Odds: Birmingham -8.5, O/U 44.5
Showboats at Stallions TV Coverage: FOX
It’s hard to argue against the Stallions being the best team in the league. They picked up right where they left off last summer with another victory, beating New Jersey 27-10. The QB tandem of J’Mar Smith and Alex McGough worked combining to go 17 of 26 for 228 yards with each throwing a TD pass. They did give up a lot yards on defense but made up for it by forcing two turnovers and holding the Generals to one TD in four red zone trips. The debut of the Showboats didn’t result in a win, but they played well enough to get one. Brady White threw for 182 yards and two scores and the defense recorded five sacks. A turnover on downs, a giveaway in field goal range and a missed field goal were only part of the problem. Clean those up and Memphis stays within the spread with a possible upset.
USFL Prediction: Showboats +8.5 / OVER 44.5
New Jersey Generals (0-1) at Pittsburgh Maulers (0-1)
Date and Time: Sunday, April 23, 1 p.m. ET
Opening Odds: New Jersey -2.5, O/U 36
Generals at Maulers TV Coverage: NBC
Unfortunately for Maulers fans last week looked a lot like last season. The lowest scoring team in the league a season ago managed just 156 yards, averaged 3.3 yards per play and was 0 of 3 inside the red zone. At least they didn’t commit a turnover. QBs James Morgan and Troy Williams completed just 37 percent of their passes for 81 yards. A loss in the opener last season was followed by nine straight wins and the Generals have the perfect opponent to start a similar run. New Jersey scored fewer points last week but the offense looked much sharper than that of Pittsburgh making the 2.5-point USFL betting line look like a gift.
USFL Prediction: New Jersey -2.5 / UNDER 36
Michigan Panthers (1-0) at Philadelphia Stars (1-0)
Date and Time: Sunday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET
Opening Odds: Stars -2.5, O/U 43
Panthers at Stars TV Coverage: FS1
This one looks like the game of the week after both teams won their opener. Michigan won just twice last year and scored more than 29 points once, so their 29-13 decision over Houston is something to get excited about. Former San Jose State Spartan Josh Love was brilliant completing 18 of 20 throws for 215 yards and three TDs. In addition, backup Carson Strong was perfect in five attempts. We won’t see that offensive production this week, but it’s a sign the Panthers can do damage. And they’ll need to keep up with Case Cookus and the Stars, who hung on to beat Memphis 27-23 last week.
USFL Prediction: Michigan +2.5 / OVER 43
Check out the latest USFL betting odds at BetRivers.
