We’re set for what should be an intriguing Week 6 in the USFL as the early part of the stretch run begins. Each team is still firmly in the hunt for a division title as there are no records worse than 2-3. In fact, the entire North Division sports that same exact record.
Each week through the USFL Championship Game in July, The Game Day will offer a betting prediction for each game on the schedule.
USFL Week 6 Predictions & Best Bets
Showboats ML (+120) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Maulers vs Showboats • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Maulers continued to make up for some close early-season losses in Week 5 by recording an impressive 23-7 win over the reeling Panthers.
However, the caliber of competition goes up a notch Saturday with a matchup against the Showboats, which have won two straight and are getting strong play from quarterback Cole Kelley. The Showboats’ defense has also allowed just 20 points over the last two weeks to Michigan, and more impressively, the previously undefeated Breakers.
Pittsburgh’s defense also appears to be the real deal (league-low 17.2 points per game surrendered), but the offense lacks firepower with a league-low 16.4 points per contest.
Consequently, for my USFL bet of the day, I see a lower-scoring game that the Showboats should be able to win with their more complete team.
Under 44.5 Total Points (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Stallions vs Panthers • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Stallions have surprisingly demonstrated vulnerability on defense on a couple of occasions this season, and they already have one more loss than they did during last year’s 9-1 championship campaign.
Yet, this shapes up as a get-right spot for Birmingham. The Panthers can’t seem to get anything going through the air with Josh Love or Carson Strong (who’s now on IR) under center, leading to an average of just 164.2 passing yards per contest.
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The Stallions’ defensive challenges are primarily centered on stopping the run, where Wes Hills’ big day against them in Week 3 (191 rushing yards, three TDs) has helped skew their average to 137.8 rushing yards per contest allowed.
Michigan does boast the impressive 1-2 backfield punch of Stevie Scott and Reggie Corbin, although the duo was absolutely stonewalled in Week 5 for a combined five yards on 14 carries.
With no consistent way for the Panthers to keep Birmingham’s aggressive defense honest and Michigan’s defense also flashing some solid secondary play, I like the Under in this spot.
Breakers -7 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Breakers vs Stars • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Breakers are smarting from their first loss of the season in Week 5, one where quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson surprisingly struggled with ball security (four turnovers).
Wes Hills was also held in check for the first time this season, leading to New Orleans’ season-low 10 points.
Meanwhile, the Stars didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard in their 24-21 win over the Generals with a paltry 166 total yards.
Philadelphia, one of the USFL’s more potent offenses a year ago, is now averaging only 18.0 points per contest despite boasting plenty of holdovers, and they just lost key wideout Jordan Suell to injury.
New Orleans hasn’t always separated from their opponents in victory this season, but its stout defense (257.2 total yards per game allowed) combined with their high-powered offense going up against the Stars’ league-worst defense (326.4 total yards per game surrendered) puts me in the camp of the favorites covering.
Gamblers +5.5 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Generals vs Gamblers • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Gamblers are seemingly improving by the week, having won three consecutive games and even notching their Week 5 victory over the defending champion Stallions without starting quarterback Kenji Bahar.
Running back Mark Thompson is Houston’s most valuable weapon by far and already has eight rushing touchdowns through three games.
The Generals have been a relatively stingy run defense overall (87.2 RYPG allowed), but with an average of 5.9 yards per carry, Thompson has essentially been matchup-proof.
New Jersey has been inconsistent offensively as well (19.2 PPG scored) and saw dynamic signal-caller De’Andre Johnson go down with an injury in Week 5.
Houston has also been especially stout against the run (79.6 RYPG allowed), which is a hallmark of the Generals’ plan of attack offensively.
Given how the matchup lines up, I like Houston to stay hot and slide under the spread at a minimum.
