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We’re halfway through the 2023 USFL season and we know as much now as we did when the campaign kicked off. If parity is what the league was striving for I’d have to say mission accomplished. Through five weeks all four teams in the North Division have the same 2-3 record and nine clubs have either two or three wins. All four underdogs on the USFL betting line came away with an outright victory in Week 5 with the previously unbeaten New Orleans Breakers the biggest losers. Laying 8-points to the Memphis Showboats, the Breakers’ potent offense was silenced in a 17-10 setback. The Houston Gamblers are the hottest team winning their third straight with a 27-20 decision over Birmingham as a 4.5-point dog. Houston and Pittsburgh are the top USFL picks against the spread with payouts in each of their last three games.
Even with all the chaos I was able to navigate a 4-4 week on my USFL betting picks backing Pittsburgh and Houston on the line at BetRivers sportsbook. Unfortunately New Jersey and New Orleans both lost as big favorites. For the first time since the USFL started play last year the Maulers are a favorite hitting the board at -2.5 for their showdown with Memphis to get the USFL betting week started on Saturday. And once again the Breakers are the biggest USFL favorite this week giving 6.5-points to Philadelphia. Week 6 closes with New Jersey a slight 1-point favorite in its matchup with Houston.
USFL Week 6 Schedule
Pittsburgh Maulers (2-3) at Memphis Showboats (2-3)
Date and Time: Saturday, May 20, 12:30 p.m. ET
Opening Odds: Pittsburgh -2.5, O/U 41
Maulers at Showboats TV Coverage: USA
With Memphis losing its first three games and Pittsburgh dropping two straight to open the year, this game wasn’t even on the radar. Both clubs have turned things around with the Showboats flashing some defense allowing only 10 points in each of their last two victories. They held New Orleans to 234 total yards last week and got an efficient outing from Cole Kelly, who was 24 of 36 for 224 yards and a TD. Pittsburgh surpassed its win total from last season and is looking for the first winning streak since the reboot. Troy Williams sparked the offense throwing for 184 yards and two scores with an additional 59 yards and a TD on the ground. The Maulers enjoyed success converting three of four red zone trips and producing four takeaways in their 23-7 win over Michigan.
USFL Prediction: Pittsburgh -2.5 / UNDER 41
Birmingham Stallions (3-2) at Michigan Panthers (2-3)
Date and Time: Saturday, May 20, 4 p.m. ET
Opening Odds: Birmingham -5.5, O/U 44
Stallions at Panthers TV Coverage: FOX
Michigan has fallen on hard times offensively leading to a three-game losing streak. Their point total has decreased in every game since the opener landing in single digits last week. At this rate they’re likely to get shutout. QBs Josh Love and Carson Strong have struggled combining for 162 passing yards last week with each tossing a pick accounting for half of their turnover total. The Panthers have a league-high 12 giveaways. The Stallions have slipped a bit on defense allowing an average of more than 30 points the past three weeks. Alex McGough had 285 total yards last week with a pair of TD passes and as long as they don’t turn the ball over Birmingham should be in good shape to cover the USFL betting line.
USFL Prediction: Birmingham -5.5 / OVER 44
New Orleans Breakers (4-1) at Philadelphia Stars (2-3)
Date and Time: Sunday, May 21, 12 p.m. ET
Opening Odds: New Orleans -6.5, O/U 48
Breakers at Stars TV Coverage: FS1
The Breakers are beatable and their offense can be shut down. Memphis of all teams held the lethal attack to just 232 total yards while limiting rushing leader Wes Hills to 38 yards on 14 carries. New Orleans had its lowest point total of the season in a 17-10 defeat. Philly snapped a three-game losing streak beating New Jersey 24-21, but the Stars failed to score a TD instead getting eight field goals from Luis Aguilar. Failure to protect Case Cookus has hindered the offense. The QB was sacked four more times last week and has been sacked 22 times this season.
USFL Prediction: New Orleans -6.5 / OVER 48
New Jersey Generals (2-3) at Houston Gamblers (3-2)
Date and Time: Sunday, May 21, 4 p.m. ET
Opening Odds: New Jersey -1, O/U 44.5
Generals at Gamblers TV Coverage: FOX
When a team plays as clean a game as Houston did last week, they’re tough to beat. The Gamblers didn’t have a giveaway or a penalty and exited with a 27-20 win over Birmingham, their third straight. The offense looked crisp the last few games averaging over 32 points since Week 2. By all accounts New Jersey should’ve won last week holding Philly to 166 total yards while amassing 354. There could be an issue at QB with De’Andre Johnson knocked out of last week’s game. Kyle Lauletta was 10 of 12 for 111 yards in relief but he did toss a pick. Still, I like New Jersey’s defense to slow down the surging Gamblers.
USFL Prediction: New Jersey -1 / UNDER 44.5
Check out the latest USFL betting odds at BetRivers.
