With Week 8 of the USFL firmly in the books, the playoff field is taking shape on the USFL odds board.
The Birmingham Stallions remain the team to beat, while the New Jersey Generals and New Orleans Breakers come in as co-second choices in the wagering.
The Philadelphia Stars and Tampa Bay Bandits round out the betting, as only one of these hopefuls will make the cut as the season hurtles toward the finish line. With two weeks remaining before the playoffs, the pressure’s on.
Join us as we preview USFL Week 9 of the inaugural (revival) season, with football picks for your consideration.
BetUS USFL Outrights Going Into Week 9
| Birmingham Stallions | +165 |
| New Jersey Generals | +250 |
| New Orleans Breakers | +250 |
| Philadelphia Stars | +650 |
| Tampa Bay Bandits | +650 |
| Michigan Panthers | OTB |
| Pittsburgh Maulers | OTB |
| Houston Gamblers | OTB |
USFL Standings (Through Week 8)
North Division |
South Division |
||
| X- New Jersey Generals | 7-1 | X-Birmingham | 8-0 |
| X- Philadelphia Stars | 5-3 | New Orleans Breakers | 5-3 |
| Michigan Panthers | 1-7 | Tampa Bay Bandits | 4-4 |
| Pittsburgh Maulers | 1-7 | Houston Gamblers | 1-7 |
Generals vs Panthers (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET)
The New Jersey Generals won their seventh game in a row, beating the Pittsburgh Maulers, 29-18. After the perfect Birmingham Stallions, the Generals (and New Orleans Breakers) are second choices on the oddsboard to win the title. .
The Michigan Panthers are already eliminated, a 1-7 record through eight games and a five-game losing streak. Michigan comes off a 46-24 loss to the Philadelphia Stars.
This shouldn’t be a difficult game for the Generals as they look to maintain the momentum ahead of the playoffs.
Pick: New Jersey Generals -7½ (-110)
These teams lead the way defensively through Week 8 🔒😤
Which team’s defense has impressed you the most so far this season? pic.twitter.com/nrIq4mZi18
— USFL (@USFL) June 9, 2022
Gamblers vs Stallions (Saturday, 6 p.m. ET)
The Houston Gamblers have tapped out, with losses in seven games in a row. The latest was a woeful 13-3 effort against the Tampa Bay Bandits. Houston can’t seem to buy a win, regardless of how hard they try. That doesn’t bode well ahead of their date with the undefeated Birmingham Stallions.
The Stallions are such a (theoretical) mismatch that the betting online markets haver rolled out a double-digit spread. That’s telling.
Pick: Birmingham Stallions -12½ (-110)
Bandits vs Breakers (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET)
The Tampa Bay Bandits salvaged their season with a timely win over a poor opponent, improving to 4-4 with a methodical 13-3 win at the expense of the hapless Houston Gamblers.
Next, a much tougher task against the New Orleans Breakers. The Breakers are 5-3 on the season, coming off a narrow 10-9 loss to the Stallions. That the Breakers held the league’s only undefeated team to merely a one-point margin of victory is impressive.
This is going to be tough game for the Bandits to win Given what’s at stake, expect they’ll offer a fight.
Pick: Tampa Bay Bandits +3 (-105)
RT if your team has already clinched a spot in the Inaugural USFL Playoffs in Canton 🙌🏆 pic.twitter.com/UtJuYMwFGh
— USFL (@USFL) June 8, 2022
Stars vs Maulers (Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
The Philadelphia Stars are locked in a battle with the Tampa Bay Bandits for the final spot in the playoffs. The Stars lead with a 5-3 record and they could secure a berth with a win over the Pittsburgh Maulers.
Philadelphia was 46-24 winner over the pathetic Michigan Panthers. Now, another 1-7 outclassed outfit in the Pittsburgh Maulers. Color the world shocked if the Stars don’t steamroll the Maulers and cover the spread.
