The 2023 USFL season began last weekend with all eight teams playing in Birmingham and Memphis. In the first game to start the season, the Philadelphia Stars defeated the Memphis Showboats 27-23. After that, the defending USFL champion Birmingham Stallions started their title defense with a 27-10 victory over the New Jersey Generals. To wrap up the first week of action, the Michigan Panthers crushed the Houston Gamblers 29-13 on Sunday afternoon, while the New Orleans Breakers got a late touchdown in the fourth quarter to defeat the Pittsburgh Maulers 22-15.
Week 2 begins on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 12:30 p.m. ET between the Gamblers and the Breakers on USA. After that, the Stallions will look to stay undefeated against the Showboats at 7 p.m. ET (FOX). Then on Sunday afternoon, the Generals and Maulers will kick off at 1 p.m. ET (NBC) from Canton, OH. Finally, the Panthers and Stars will square off against each other at 7 p.m. ET (FS1) to wrap up Week 2 action.
Below, we'll break down the best Week 2 bets and give out our predictions on how things could shake out in the USFL:
MORE ODDS: Spreads, moneylines, props, parlays -- get it all with BetMGM!
USFL Week 2 picks, predictions
All odds courtesy of BetMGM
Houston Gamblers at New Orleans Breakers
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, USA
- Spread: Breakers -6.5
- Moneyline: Gamblers +200, Breakers -250
- Over/Under: 42
The Breakers will look to start the season 2-0 under first-year USFL head coach John DeFilippo when they take on the Gamblers. New Orleans' defense played well in their win last week against the Maulers, holding QBs James Morgan and Terry Williams to 81 passing yards and a 37-percent completion percentage. New Orleans' defense also created pressure in the backfield but only recorded one sack and two tackles for loss.
New Orleans' offense should not have any issues putting up points against this Gamblers' defense, which lost Donald Payne, Will Likely, and Reggie Northup to the XFL. Houston shockingly gave up 29 points last week to Josh Love and the Panthers. Offensively, Gamblers QB Kenji Bahar struggled as he completed 13-of-22 passes for 109 yards and two interceptions. Bahar was also sacked four times and contributed to the Gamblers' four turnovers in their 16-point loss. If the Breakers can create some turnovers and give the ball back to McLeod Bethel-Thompson, New Orleans should win this game easily, especially with their weapons at WR and RB.
Pick: Breakers 24 (-6.5), Gamblers 15
Memphis Showboats at Birmingham Stallions
Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET, FOX
- Spread: Stallions -7
- Moneyline: Showboats +260, Stallions -350
- Over/Under: 44.5
The defending USFL champion Stallions looked dominant in their Week 1 win over the Generals. Birmingham forced the Generals' offense into two turnovers and held them to 1-for-4 inside the red zone. However, the Stallions' defense got gashed on the ground for 197 yards, which isn't great but can be corrected heading into this week's game. Offensively, J'Mar Smith and Alex McGough got playing time under center and were solid. McGough will be the starter this week as Smith was placed on injured reserve (left ring finger). In addition to Smith, the Stallions also lost standout WR Marlon Williams, who tore his Achilles. Williams was expected to be their top playmaker this season, with Victor Bolden playing in the XFL. Without Williams, it will put more pressure on the Stallions' rushing game to be better against the Showboats, as C.J. Marable and Bo Scarborough had 23 yards on 11 carries. Marable will look to hold things down in the backfield this week, as Scarborough was placed on injured reserve (knee).
As for Memphis, Brady White was decent in the season opener outside of the early interception, but the Showboats will need multiple guys to step up against this Stallions' defense. Earlier in the week, we liked the Stallions to cover the spread. However, with Birmingham banged up on both sides, take the Showboats to cover.
Pick: Stallions 21, Showboats 18 (+7)
New Jersey Generals at Pittsburgh Maulers
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, NBC
- Spread: Generals -5
- Moneyline: Maulers +165, Generals -200
- Over/Under: 36.5
The Generals' offense did not look its best in Week 1, as the offensive line and starting QB DeAndre Johnson struggled (4-for-13 for 29 yards, seven carries for 45 yards). However, they should be able to bounce back against the Maulers, who have an improved defense but struggled at QB last week. In their Week 1 loss, both of the Maulers' touchdowns were scored by the defense/special teams.
If the Generals' defensive line can apply pressure and put the Maulers into second- and third-and-long situations, it could be a long day for their offense. As for New Jersey's offense, Johnson and QB2 Dakota Prukop have the mobility to make plays with their legs, which will negate the Maulers' pass rush. Look out for Generals WR Cam Echols-Luper, who got off to a fast start last week (five receptions for 54 yards) and could be the replacement for last season's USFL MVP KaVontae Turpin. Take the Generals and the points to kick off Sunday's action.
Pick: Generals 21 (-5), Maulers 13
Michigan Panthers at Philadelphia Stars
Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, FS1
- Spread: Stars -3
- Moneyline: Stars -155, Panthers +130
- Over/Under: 46.5
In the final game of Week 2, we have a great matchup in the North division between the Panthers and Stars, who are coming off wins in Week 1. Michigan looked significantly better on the ball under first-time USFL head coach Mike Nolan. Panthers QB Josh Love had an outstanding performance, completing 18-of-20 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns, which led to him winning the USFL's Offensive Player of the Week. On the defensive side, former NFL defensive end Breeland Speaks wreaked havoc against the Gamblers, recording seven tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. Speaks won Defensive Player of the Week after his performance and is someone the Stars must keep an eye on.
Meanwhile, Stars QB Case Cookus played well in Philly's Week 1 win over the Showboats. Cookus was efficient, completing 20-of-29 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He did a good job of spreading the ball around, which will be key against the Panthers' defense. The Panthers' offense will be able to make some plays against the Stars' defense, but in the end, Philly moves to 2-0.
Pick: Stars 24, Panthers 21 (+3)
