Nowhere to Run
Don’t be looking for much in the way of dominant rushing performances when the Tampa Bay Bandits and Philadelphia Stars get together. The Stars are last in the USFL with 79 rushing attempts and 324 yards on the ground in the first five games. The Bandits average 3.3 yards per carry, the lowest total in the league.
The Stars (2-3) are coming off a 30-17 loss to undefeated Birmingham in its last game while Tampa Bay (3-2) scored late in the fourth quarter to edge the Michigan Panthers to go over the .500 mark.
According to the USFL betting lines, Tampa Bay (+450) has the fourth-best odds to win the USFL title while Philadelphia comes in fifth at +2000.
Let’s check the latest USFL betting lines, stats, and injury reports for Bandits vs Stars.
Stars Need to Solve Defensive Woes
When the Philadelphia Stars made their USFL debut in 1983, they allowed 10 points or less in 11 of their 18 regular-season games. Those making USFL predictions went with the Stars the majority of the time.
That is something that didn’t carry over to the team with the same name in the current USFL. Philadelphia is seventh among eight USFL teams in passing defense, allowing 360.4 yards per game. They are also seventh in scoring defense and total defense.
The defensive numbers could be even worse if not for cornerback Channing Stribling, who is tied for the league lead with four interceptions. Stribling missed the last game, although he currently has a probable tag for this week’s game.
Roster updates for today’s game vs Birmingham:
Inactive roster:
• CB Bradley Sylve
• CB Channing Stribling
• WR Brennan Eagles
• WR Kahlil Lewis
• QB Bryan Scott
• DT Antwan Owens
• OT Clay LeGault— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) May 15, 2022
Philadelphia’s first four games were decided by eight points or less before the 30-17 loss to Birmingham.
Tampa Bay’s Offense Starting to Roll
Tampa Bay opened the season by scoring 20 points in its first two games, including a humbling 34-3 loss to New Orleans. The Bandits seemed to fix much of what was ailing the struggling offense, scoring 27 points in two of the last three games.
A balanced offense has helped the Bandits. In the wins against Houston and Michigan, Tampa Bay has attempted 60 passes and 58 runs.
Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has three touchdown passes and one scoring run in those two games. The former Ole Miss quarterback has two touchdown throws and no TD runs in the other three games.
Stars vs Bandits Game Information
- Game: Stars 2-3 (second in North Division); Bandits 3-2 (tied for second in South Division)
- Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama
- Day/Time: Saturday, May 21st, 1 p.m. ET
- USFL Live Stream: NBC Sports
Stars vs Bandits Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Tampa Bay Bandits | -2½ -110 | 39 -110o | ||
| Philadelphia Stars | +2½ -110 | 39 -110u |
Stars vs Bandits Prediction
Things don’t get much easier for the Stars, who go from playing USFL championship favorite Birmingham to meeting a Tampa Bay team that has won two of its last three games.
Philadelphia is seventh in the league with 105 points allowed. The Stars average more points allowed per game in their two wins than in the two losses.
Tampa Bay and Philadelphia rank near the bottom of the league in conversions on third down and fourth down. The Bandits will look to pick up where they left off in last week’s victory.
The game could feature six of the 13 players in the USFL with at least two sacks.
Tampa Bay’s Greg Reaves is tied for fourth in the league with 2.5 sacks while Reggie Howard and Travis Feeney have two sacks each. For Philadelphia, Adam Rodriguez also has 2.5 sacks. Freedom Akinmoladun and Josh Banderas have contributed two sacks each.
Tampa Bay’s defense is dealing with injury issues. Safety Stephen Griffin is listed as being out while fellow defensive backs Antono Reed, Christian Campbell and Obi Melifonwu are probable, as are linebackers Michael Scott and Christian Sam.
Even if Tampa Bay is shorthanded on defense, it will be hard for those who bet online to pick against the favored Bandits.
Pick: Over 39
Pick: Bandits -2½
