NCAAB
Spread

USFL Playoff Predictions & Best Bets | USFL Odds & Picks 2022

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2023

After a surprising comeback upset victory by the Panthers in the final game of the USFL regular season Sunday night, the four-team playoff field is set.

Saturday night features that same Michigan squad trying to upend another team that punched its playoff ticket in Week 10, the Maulers, for the North Division Championship. That’s followed by what could be a classic rematch of last year’s South Division Championship, a battle between the Breakers and defending champion Stallions.

Each week through the USFL Championship Game in July, I’ll offer a betting prediction for each game on the schedule.

USFL South and North Division Championship Predictions & Best Bets

Under 38.5 points (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook

Michigan Panthers vs Pittsburgh Maulers Betting • WAGER: 1 unit

Panthers head coach Mike Nolan made the bold move of switching up his quarterbacks for Sunday night’s must-win game, and the gamble paid off, with E.J. Perry doing just enough to manage the game effectively through the air (121 yards, no INTs) and adding 48 yards and a rushing TD.

That was sufficient with a pair of long kickoff returns that set up short fields. However, the matchup gets tough against the Maulers, which surrendered a league-low 17.8 points and 257.5 total yards per game during the regular season.

Pittsburgh held Michigan to just seven points apiece in Weeks 5 and 9. Although those victories came with Carson Strong and Josh Love at quarterback for the Panthers, it doesn’t appear Perry will make a sizable impact through the air while managing a likely conservative game plan.

Conversely, the Panthers were particularly impressive against the pass (186.4 PYPG allowed) and applied above-average pressure, leading to 23 sacks. Pittsburgh also ran a mostly one-dimensional offense this season, with the Maulers averaging under 4.0 yards per carry and getting the most rushing production from QB Troy Williams (341 yards, 3 rush TDs).

The two regular-season games between these teams finished with 30 and 26 points. With defense typically tightening up even more in the postseason, I’m going with the Under for my USFL bet of the day.

Breakers +3 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook

New Orleans Breakers vs Birmingham Stallions Betting • WAGER: 1 unit

The Stallions carry the highest spot in the USFL Championship Odds leaderboard as the postseason begins, given their status as defending champs, their league-best 8-2 record, and the five-game winning streak they finished the regular season.

However, the Breakers weren’t too far off their pace. New Orleans had a bit of a mid-season lull, but John DiFillipo’s squad also finished very strong with three straight wins to get to 7-3. The Breakers arguably have the better defense of the two teams, finishing the 2023 campaign just behind the league-leading Maulers with 18.4 points and 272.0 total yards allowed per game.

Moreover, no team harassed quarterbacks as effectively as the Breakers, which finished tied for second in interceptions (12) while leading the league in sacks (28). That will be key against Stallions QB Alex McGough, a leading MVP candidate who took six sacks and threw a pick in two regular-season clashes with New Orleans.

The Breakers recorded a 14-point win in the first meeting between the teams and lost by just four in the second. New Orleans RB Wes Hills had a quiet finish to the season but did light up Birmingham for 191 yards and three touchdowns back in the Week 3 game, lending credence to the notion he could help keep the Stallions’ talented offense off the field.

These two teams are evenly matched and have an intriguing rivalry that results in close games. Plenty of key Breakers players were on the 2022 roster and are therefore looking to avenge their 31-17 loss to Birmingham in last year’s South Division Championship.

Given all the factors cited, I’m in the camp of the Breakers keeping matters close enough for the cover, especially with quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson offering superior quarterback play to last year’s starter, Kyle Sloter.

Author

Juan Carlos Blanco

Juan Carlos Blanco has been playing fantasy sports since 1997 and actively writing about the fantasy sports and sports betting industries since 2015 for multiple websites. He has covered a wide variety of professional sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, CFL, Arena Football League, Alliance of American Football, XFL, NPB and KBO. He was the recipient of the FSWA's 2016 Newcomer of the Year award for his work with RotoWire.

Related articles

Promotions

Get $1,500 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Bet $5 & Get $150 in Bonus Bets or First Bet Safety Net

5 stars

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Get A Bonus Bet Up to $1,000

5 stars

Get $200 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Get up to $250 2nd Chance Free Bet

5 stars

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY).

Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI).

All betting content on TheGameDay.com is exclusively intended for audience members 21 years and older who are permitted to gamble in legal states. The Game Day may earn revenue from site visitor referrals to betting services.

Responsible Gaming: Many sportsbooks offer ways to encourage responsible gaming, including the establishment of limits to deposits, spending, and time dedicated to betting.

The Game Day is a TGD Marketing Ltd. endeavor.