Multiple teams had a chance to punch their tickets to the postseason last week, but the only team to take advantage was the Stallions, who defeated the Gamblers 38-15. Birmingham can clinch the regular season South Division title in Week 10 if it beats the Showboats or the Breakers fall to the Gamblers. Meanwhile, in the USFL's North Division, no team clinched a playoff spot, which means all four squads can advance to the USFL playoffs.
Week 10 begins on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. ET between the Maulers (3-6) and Generals (3-6) on USA. The winner will clinch a playoff spot and could win the regular season North Division crown if Philly loses on Sunday. Then at 4 p.m. ET, the Stallions (7-2) will try to end the Showboats' (5-4) playoff hopes on FOX. On Sunday afternoon, the Breakers (6-3) will try to clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Gamblers (5-4) at 4 p.m. ET on NBC. Finally, to wrap up the USFL regular season, the Stars (4-5) and the Panthers (3-6) will face off at Ford Field for the final spot in the North Division at 7 p.m. ET on FOX.
Below, we'll break down the Week 10 odds and give out our predictions on which teams will compete in the USFL playoffs.
USFL Week 10 picks, predictions
Odds courtesy of BetMGM. Click here for more odds and sign up for BetMGM today!
Pittsburgh Maulers at New Jersey Generals
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, USA
- Spread: Maulers +3.5 (-110); Generals -3.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Maulers +145; Generals -175
- Over/Under: 40.5
The Maulers and Generals kept their playoff dreams alive with close wins last weekend. Pittsburgh feasted on the mistakes of Panthers QB Josh Love, rolling to a 19-7 victory, while New Jersey survived a late fourth-quarter scare from Philly to pick up a four-point win. The Generals looked like the team we saw last season as they welcomed DeAndre Johnson back to the starting lineup. Johnson completed 15-of-20 passes for 213 yards and had 109 QBR. Despite not having no touchdowns, the dual-threat QB took care of the ball and kept the chains moving.
The Generals also got a solid performance from their defense, holding the Stars to two-of-six in the red zone and forcing three turnovers. If New Jersey can duplicate this defensive output against a Maulers' offense that struggles to score (16.8 points per game), the Generals will be in the postseason. However, don't sleep on Pittsburgh, which has an opportunistic defense. When these two teams played each other in Week 2, the Generals won 20-3. We don't envision Saturday's game being a blowout, as the Maulers now have more of an identity on offense than they did in the first meeting. We like the Generals to win outright and the Maulers, but either way, bettors should look to hammer the UNDER again.
Pick: Generals 21, Maulers 18 (+3.5)
Birmingham Stallions at Memphis Showboats
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX
- Spread: Stallions -4.5 (-110); Showboats +4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Stallions -190; Showboats +155
- Over/Under: 44
The Stallions locked up a playoff berth and home-field advantage in the playoffs but have an opportunity to win the USFL's South Division crown on Saturday afternoon. Birmingham had a rough first half against the Gamblers last week but exploded in the second half en route to a 23-point win. Stallions QB Alex McGough had a couple of turnovers against Houston, but he didn't let those miscues derail him from throwing for 208 yards and producing three total TDs.
Showboats signal-caller Cole Kelley struggled last week against the Breakers' tenacious defense. The first-year starter threw three interceptions and only completed 56.1 percent of his passes for 224 yards. Kelley was also sacked five times, as Memphis' offense couldn't get anything positive going through the air or on the ground. Nevertheless, the former SELA standout should bounce back this week and make some plays against a Stallions' defense that gives up its fair share of points. Memphis won't get boat raced by Birmingham as they did in Week 2 (42-2), but the Stallions will pick up the win as they move closer to their second-straight USFL title.
Pick: Stallions 24 (-4.5), Showboats 17
New Orleans Breakers at Houston Gamblers
Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, NBC
- Spread: Breakers -4 (-110); Gamblers +4 (-110)
- Moneyline: Breakers -175; Gamblers +145
- Over/Under: 44.5
When these two teams played each other in Week 2, the Breakers won 38-31 in a high-scoring affair. New Orleans RB Wes Hills went off for 110 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries, while Houston QB Kenji Bahar threw for 266 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. Gambler fans hope Bahar's turnovers don't become an issue again after last week's interception and fumble, the latter of which was returned for a touchdown.
The Breakers will try to rack up a few more turnovers after they had five takeaways in last week's win against the Showboats. New Orleans will also look to better protect QB McLeod-Bethel Thompson, who was sacked four times. If the Breakers can keep the pocket clean for MBT, he should be able to do some damage against the Gamblers' secondary, which will be missing safeties Andrew Soroh and Manny Bunch. As for the Gamblers, they must lean on star RB Mark Thompson to carry them, as Bahar has thrown three interceptions in the past three games. Thompson should do some damage on the ground, but at the end of the day, the Breakers have the better QB in this matchup, giving them the playoff berth.
Pick: Breakers 27 (-4), Gamblers 21
Philadelphia Stars at Michigan Panthers
Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, FOX
- Spread: Stars N/A; Panthers N/A
- Moneyline: Stars -110; Panthers -110
- Over/Under: 42.5
In the final game of the regular season, the Stars will try to clinch a playoff spot for the second-straight week with a win over the Panthers. Michigan could've punched their ticket to the playoffs last week if they defeated the Maulers combined with a Stars' loss. However, Josh Love played horribly, completing 57.6 percent of his passes for 233 yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions. In addition to the ill-advised turnovers, Michigan, playing without Reggie Corbin, managed just 50 rushing yards.
If Corbin plays this weekend, it should give the Panthers a significant boost against a Stars' run defense that just gave up three scores to Generals RB Darius Victor. As for Philadelphia, it got down early last week due to turnovers and nearly completed a furious comeback. QB Case Cookus was under constant pressure but made plays in the passing game. The offensive line must be better this weekend, as the Panthers' front seven is ferocious and tied for first in the USFL in sacks (24). It won't be a pretty game, but the Stars have the better quarterback and playmakers on the perimeter to get back to the postseason for the second year in a row.
Pick: Stars 21, Panthers 18
