We’re entering Week 3 of the 2023 USFL season, and some trends are beginning to emerge.
Although some clubs surprisingly saw some regression in Week 2, we still have a solid foundation for this week’s prognostications.
Each week through the USFL Championship Game in July, The Game Day will offer a betting prediction for each game on the schedule.
Let’s dig into our USFL Week 3 picks.
USFL odds used for these best bets are current as of Wednesday, April 26 at 3 p.m. ET and were found at DraftKings Sportsbook.
USFL Week 3 Predictions & Best Bets
Stars -6.5 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Maulers vs Stars Betting • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Stars were atypically quiet on the scoreboard in Week 2 against the Panthers, but that was partly because of a strong Panthers defense.
Philly still accrued 302 total yards, but went just 1-for-4 in its red-zone trips. Case Cookus threw for 283 yards, but was done in by a pair of interceptions.
Cookus has a wealth of skill-position talent that includes a versatile back in Matt Colburn, as well as a trio of accomplished wideouts in Devin Gray, Jordan Suell, and Corey Coleman.
Therefore, he should be in a very good position to bounce back against a Maulers unit that has already given up 42 points and scored just 16 through two games. Philadelphia should win by at least a touchdown, making this our USFL pick of the day.
Under 48.5 Total Points (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Breakers vs Stallions Betting • WAGER: 1 Unit
This could turn out to be the best game of the week given the quality of both undefeated teams.
The Stallions look like even more of a juggernaut than they did during last year’s championship-winning campaign, having surrendered an absurd 12 points through two games.
The losses of J’Mar Smith (finger) and Bo Scarbrough (knee) for the season do ding the offensive depth, and it remains to be seen if Alex McGough will be able to keep up the stellar quality of play he showed in Week 2 (301 yards, four touchdowns) with teams now game-planning exclusively for him.
The Breakers have plenty of offensive talent of their own and have seen CFL import McLeod Bethel-Thompson get off to a red-hot start. However, Birmingham’s defense is essentially matchup-proof, so I don’t see the score getting too out of hand in this spot.
Showboats +3 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Showboats vs Gamblers Betting • WAGER: 1 Unit
There’s little doubt Showboats head coach Todd Haley is seething after his team’s embarrassing 42-2 shellacking at the hands of the Stallions in Week 2.
Memphis is a better team than that abysmal performance would indicate, as demonstrated in a 27-23 Week 1 loss to another quality team in the Stars.
The Showboats have some solid talent on offense that includes a dynamic quarterback in Brady White, running back Alex Collins, and receiver Rashard Davis.
Although the Gamblers showed some surprising life on offense against the Breakers in Week 2, totalling 355 yards on 6.8 yards per play, quarterback Kenji Behar still threw three interceptions and the defense allowed 38 points.
Given the factors cited, I like the chances of Memphis covering at minimum.
Under 43.5 Total Points (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Generals vs Panthers Betting • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Generals atoned for a poor Week 1 showing against the Stallions with a 20-3 win over the lowly Maulers in Week 2.
However, New Jersey’s offense still has plenty of question marks, especially in the passing game. De’Andre Johnson and Dakota Prukop combined for just 136 passing yards against Pittsburgh.
New Jersey does have a formidable lead back in Darius Victor, but Michigan is allowing a league-low 71.5 rushing yards per contest through two games.
On the other side, Panthers quarterback Josh Love took a step back statistically in their Week 2 win over the Stars after a stellar season-opener.
Like Jersey, Michigan also has a fearsome lead back in Reggie Corbin, but the matchup isn’t pretty for him on paper, either – the Generals are only conceding 78.5 rushing yards per contest over the first two weeks.
The defensive quality and quarterback inconsistency on both sides here leaves me in the camp of the Under.
