Generals vs Stallions Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
Title Favorites Go Head-To-Head in Birmingham
The USFL’s best teams, according to the outright USFL lines, meet in Birmingham on Saturday. The Birmingham Stallions, the defending champions, are 5 1/2-point favorites over the New Jersey Generals. Both finished with a 9-1 record in the regular season with the Generals’ only loss being in Week 1 against the Stallions. Will this be deja vu?
Generals vs Stallions Betting Lines
Johnson Ready To Shine for Generals
Most of the attention is on Case Cookus for Philadelphia but 2023’s MVP favorite should be De’Andre Johnson. He shared snaps as quarterback last season but still put up some lofty averages, completing 77.2%t of his attempts with a 10.3 yards-per-attempt average and a 102.8 passer rating. On top of that, he rushed for 310 yards and four touchdowns.
😤 @DredaDon14 went off on opening night last season 🎖
We can’t wait for this time around ⏳ pic.twitter.com/T5rr8hyQOm
— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) April 12, 2023
Johnson is a star in the making but he’s not alone. The Generals are stacked and led the USFL in rushing yards (160.6 per game) and third-down conversion rate (43.4%). They were also second in point differential (+50) and won half of its games by seven or more points making them a solid team to bet online.
Losing receiver KaVontae Turpin, who won the MVP last season, hurts. But Darius Victor, the team’s award-winning running back, should be back. Most of its defense should also return and the team, as a whole, will have a chip on its shoulder after being upset in the playoffs.
Stallions Could Be Even Better For 2023
The Stallions won the USFL title by way of its offense (and some luck). J’Mar Smith and Alex McGough outdueled Cookus. Bo Scarborough rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown. But defense is what carried Birmingham through most of the season as it allowed the second-fewest points.
Birmingham also allowed the fewest yards per game (268.8) and the most sacks (27.0). While lead edge rusher DeMarquis Gates is now in the NFL, most of the team’s core returns like Willie Yarbary and Jonathan Newsome on the defensive line.
The Stallions were a well-oiled machine in 2022, dominating for the first seven weeks then winning several close games that culminated in a title. Smith was clutch for the Stallions and should be better this season as Scarborough also returns. Birmingham will likely be favored in every game as a USFL pick.
Generals vs Stallions Head to Head
The Stallions edged the Generals in their only meeting last season. New Jersey dominated possession and put up more yards but Birmingham scored a touchdown late in the fourth to win. The total went over.
Generals vs Stallions Game Information
- Date/Time: Saturday, Apr. 15th, 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
- Generals vs Stallions Live Stream: NBCSports.com
Generals vs Stallions Game Weather Conditions
Keep checking USFL news as there may be a thunderstorm: a 70% chance of rain. Wind speeds should be around 5 to 10 miles per hour. The temperate is a mellow 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
Generals vs Stallions Game Picks and Prediction
Predicted Score: Generals 23, Stallions 20
- Worth Betting ATS?
The Generals were more than a match for the Stallions last season so it’s interesting to see the spread this wide in the sportsbook. Birmingham will also miss more key players than New Jersey and Johnson could outplay Smith. The key may be one or two turnovers late in the game but win or lose, New Jersey should keep this game close. - Worth betting on the Totals?
As for the totals, betting online on ‘over’ 40 points is the logical play. These teams both have solid defenses but their offenses may just be better. Johnson and Smith are both spectacular dual-threat quarterbacks who will improve after one season with the league.
