With only three weeks remaining in the USFL's regular season, the playoff picture is anything but clear.
Only 12 regular-season games remain, yet the four playoff spots are up for grabs.
In the North, the Stars sit in first place after their three-game win streak, but it's difficult to say that seat is secure -- given that they've allowed 28 more points than they've scored this season (143 scored, 171 allowed). The Stars are also the only North team that has to play Birmingham in one of their final three games. The good news for Philadelphia is that the North is the weaker of the two divisions. The Pittsburgh Maulers and New Jersey Generals aren't eliminated -- in fact, they're only two games out of first -- but at 2-5, they are tied with the USFL's worst record. The Michigan Panthers, who beat the Generals on Sunday, are a game behind the Stars at 3-4.
The one spot that may be in the firmest grasp belongs to the defending champion Birmingham Stallions. The Stallions, 5-2 after winning two straight, are the latest team to beat the formerly 4-0 Breakers -- who suddenly sit in a three-way tie for second place (or last, depending on how you look at it) in the South Division. New Orleans is 4-3, as are the Showboats and Gamblers. The Breakers play the Showboats (Week 9) and Gamblers (Week 10) to finish the season, and those games should go a long way in determining who gets the South Division's No. 2 seed, assuming Birmingham continues to play well.
Now, let’s take a look at the Week 8 Best Bets!
Bet USFL Week 8 Picks at BookMaker.eu
Saturday, June 3
Houston Gamblers -3.5, OU 44.5 at Pittsburgh Maulers
On Saturday, June 3, 2023, the Houston Gamblers will face the Pittsburgh Maulers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff time is set for 12 p.m. ET with television coverage on USA.
Last week the Philadelphia Stars beat the Pittsburgh Maulers by a score of 37-31 as 2.5-point dogs. As a result, Pittsburgh has a record of 2-5, good for 4th place in the USFL North Division. Pittsburgh has USFL metrics of 8th for offensive yardage, 6th for rushing yardage, 8th for passing yardage, and 7th for scoring offense. On defense, Pittsburgh ranks 2nd for total yards allowed, 1st for rushing yards allowed, 5th for passing yards allowed, and 4th for points permitted.
Last week the Houston Gamblers lost to the Memphis Showboats by a score of 23-20 as 3-point favorites. The game went over the total of 42.5. As a result, Houston has a record of 4-3, good for 4th place in the USFL South Division. Houston has USFL metrics of 3rd for offensive yardage, 2nd for rushing yardage, 5th for passing yardage, and 2nd for scoring offense. On defense, Houston ranks 5th for total yards allowed, 2nd for rushing yards allowed, 8th for passing yards allowed, and 7th for points permitted.
Bookmaker Best Bet: Houston Gamblers
Philadelphia Stars at Birmingham Stallions -5.5, OU 46
On Saturday, June 4, 2023, the Birmingham Stallions will face the Philadelphia Stars at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Kickoff time is set for 3 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC.
Last week the Birmingham Stallions beat the New Orleans Breakers by a score of 24-20 as 1.5-point favorites. The game went under the total of 45.5. As a result, Birmingham has a record of 5-2, good for 1st place in the USFL South Division. Birmingham has USFL metrics of 2nd for offensive yardage, 3rd for rushing yardage, 3rd for passing yardage, and 1st for scoring offense. On defense, Birmingham ranks 8th for total yards allowed, 7th for rushing yards allowed, 6th for passing yards allowed, and 2nd for points permitted.
Last week the Philadelphia Stars beat the Pittsburgh Maulers by a score of 37-31 as 2.5-point dogs. The game went over the total of 39.5. As a result, Philadelphia has a record of 4-3, good for 1st place in the USFL North Division. Philadelphia has USFL metrics of 5th for offensive yardage, 7th for rushing yardage, 2nd for passing yardage, and 4th for scoring offense. On defense, Philadelphia ranks 6th for total yards allowed, 8th for rushing yards allowed, 3rd for passing yards allowed, and 8th for points permitted.
Bookmaker Best Bet: Birmingham Stallions
Sunday, June 4
Memphis Showboats -2, OU 41 at New Jersey Generals
On Sunday, June 4, 2023, the Memphis Showboats will face the New Jersey Generals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff time is set for 1 p.m. ET with television coverage on FOX.
Last week the Michigan Panthers beat the New Jersey Generals by a score of 25-22 as 6.5-point dogs. The game went over the total of 39.5. As a result, New Jersey has a record of 2-5, good for 3rd place in the USFL North Division. New Jersey has USFL metrics of 4th for offensive yardage, 1st for rushing yardage, 7th for passing yardage, and 6th for scoring offense. On defense New Jersey ranks 1st for total yards allowed, 3rd for rushing yards allowed, 1st for passing yards allowed, and 1st for points permitted.
Last week the Houston Gamblers lost to the Memphis Showboats by a score of 23-20 as 3-point favorites. The game went over the total of 42.5. As a result, Memphis has a record of 4-3, good for 2nd place in the USFL South Division. Memphis has USFL metrics of 7th for offensive yardage, 8th for rushing yardage, 4th for passing yardage, and 5th for scoring offense. On defense, Memphis ranks 7th for total yards allowed, 5th for rushing yards allowed, 7th for passing yards allowed, and 3rd for points permitted.
Bookmaker Best Bet: Memphis Showboats
Michigan Panthers at New Orleans Breakers -2.5, OU 43
On Sunday, June 4, 2023, the New Orleans Breakers will face the Michigan Panthers at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Kickoff time is set for 4 p.m. ET with television coverage on FOX.
Last week the Birmingham Stallions beat the New Orleans Breakers by a score of 24-20 as 1.5-point favorites. The game went under the total of 45.5. As a result, New Orleans has a record of 4-3, good for 2nd place in the USFL South Division. New Orleans has USFL metrics of 1st for offensive yardage, 4th for rushing yardage, 1st for passing yardage, and 3rd for scoring offense. On defense New Orleans ranks 3rd for total yards allowed, 4th for rushing yards allowed, 4th for passing yards allowed, and 5th for points permitted.
Last week the Michigan Panthers beat the New Jersey Generals by a score of 25-22 as 6.5-point dogs. The game went over the total of 39.5. As a result, Michigan has a record of 3-4, good for 2nd place in the USFL North Division. Michigan has USFL metrics of 6th for offensive yardage, 5th for rushing yardage, 6th for passing yardage, and 8th for scoring offense. On defense, Michigan ranks 4th for total yards allowed, 6th for rushing yards allowed, 2nd for passing yards allowed, and 6th for points permitted.
Bookmaker Best Bet: New Orleans Breakers
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