Ten football-packed weekends flew by, and the USFL semi-finals are here. Some things never change. That can be said for the South Division anyways, where the Stallions and the Breakers are back in the playoffs, just like last year. However, sometimes it’s nice to see new teams get in. The North Division helped out there, as the Maulers and Panthers advanced by sending last year’s playoff teams, the Generals and Stars, home. Let’s take a look at the USFL Playoff best bets in the two games taking place this weekend.
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USFL Playoff Best Bets: Which Teams Will Advance To The Championship?
Michigan Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Maulers
When: Saturday, June 24th, 8:00 PM ET
Where to Watch: NBC
Betting Lines: Maulers (-155), Maulers (-3) Over/Under: 38
You’ll hear the narrative all weekend that these two teams didn’t even have a winning record. They both squeezed into the playoffs at 4-6 and now one 4-6 team will advance to the championship game. They’ll tell you these teams don’t belong in the playoffs and that the real championship game is the South Division Championship. That sounds familiar to spring football fans who just watched the 4-6 Arlington Renegades win the XFL Championship.
So when looking at which team fits the mold of the first USFL playoff best bets, which team do you side with? EJ Perry didn’t look like the USFL’s best quarterback last week as he helped the Panthers beat the Stars. However, he got the job done. His main impact came on the ground, where he ran the ball ten times for 48 yards and a touchdown. Josh Love had been starting for the Panthers, so maybe the Stars prepped for the wrong guy.
I don’t foresee the Maulers making the same mistake. All year they fielded the best defense in the league. In fact, according to Colby Dant, host of the USFL and XFL Gambling Podcasts, the Maulers may have the best spring football defense ever. They faced the Panthers in Week 9 and held them to just seven points.
That’s the exact number of points Michigan scored against them when they played in Week 5 as well. It’s hard to beat a team three times in a single season, but I have faith in this Mauler’s defense, which literally mauls the opposing team.
USFL Playoff Best Bets: Maulers MoneyLine, Maulers (-3), Under 38
New Orleans Breakers vs. Birmingham Stallions
When: Sunday, June 25th, 7:00 PM ET
Where to Watch: Fox
Betting Lines: Stallions (-150), Stallions (-3) Over/Under: 44.5
These two teams are going to have an interesting matchup. The fans of returning champions, the Stallions, may have thought all hope was lost when J’Mar Smith went down with a season-ending injury. However, Alex McGough quickly showed everybody why he had originally won the starting job last year before losing it due to an injury.
McGough has arguably been the best quarterback in the league. The Stallions play consistent football and are a very well-rounded and well-coached team. They execute in all three facets of the game.
The Breakers might have taken people by surprise. Out goes Kyle Sloter and Sal Canella of last year to enter some unlikely heroes. McLeod Bethel-Thompson, a former CFL Grey Cup champion, took over at quarterback. Sage Surratt showed he is still the tight end with over 1,000 yards in 8 games at Wake Forest.
Not to mention, Wes Hills has been one of the best running backs in the league this year. They don’t always have the flash with Bethel-Thompson at the helm like the Stallions do with McGough. However, they’ve got enough contributors on both sides of the ball to get the job done.
Something tells me I shouldn’t take two favorites, and I really feel like the Maulers will advance and eventually win. So, will we have a repeat of Week 7, where the Stallions won 24-20?
Or can the Breakers channel their Week 3 performance, where they won 45-31? I think they start to wear the Stallions out with that pounding running attack of Wes Hills and open up the passing game. Look for Hills, Johnnie Dixon, Jay Adams, and Sage Surratt to all make an impact.
USFL Playoff Best Bets: Breakers MoneyLine, Breakers (+3), Over 44.5
Other Bets
Some books are offering some player specials. It’s nice to see at least some form of prop bets being offered, even if a lot of them seem unlikely. For example, I don’t think EJ Perry can throw for 275 passing yards against this Maulers’ defense. I don’t think Groshek can rush for 80 yards and a touchdown. While it would be a nice feather in the cap for Sage Surratt to have 100 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, that one doesn’t feel very good either.
Therefore, I’m going to roll with Jace Sternberger, 100+ receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown at +450. Last week Sternberger had 84 yards and a touchdown. This week I think they will get behind and have to play from behind. He’s scored a touchdown in the last four games, he just needs the yards, and I’m going to bank that he gets them this weekend. Make sure to check out our staff picks page here.
