Week 6's USFL action begins on Saturday with a doubleheader at 12:30 p.m. ET between the Maulers (2-3) and the Showboats (2-3) on USA. Then at 4 p.m. ET, the Stallions (3-2) will travel to Ford Field to take on the reeling Panthers (2-3) on FOX. For Sunday's doubleheader action, the Breakers (4-1) will try to rebound after suffering their first loss last week when they take on the Stars (2-3) at noon ET on FS1. Finally, the Generals (2-3) will wrap up their two-game road trip against the Gamblers (3-2) at 4 p.m. ET on FOX.
Week 5 featured some surprises, as the one-win Showboats delivered the Breakers their first loss, and the Stars upset the Generals thanks to eight field goals from kicker Luis Aguilar. The underdogs were also profitable for the second-straight week, going 4-0 against the spread and 4-0 straight up. Will the underdogs shine in Week 6, or can the favorites pick themselves up and get back into the win column?
Below, we'll break down the Week 6 odds and give out our predictions on how things could play out across the league this weekend.
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USFL Week 6 picks, predictions
All odds courtesy of BetMGM
Pittsburgh Maulers at Memphis Showboats
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, USA
- Spread: Maulers -2.5 (-110); Showboats +2.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Maulers -140, Showboats +120
- Over/Under: 41.5
The Maulers are starting to find their identity on offense, and it's paying off, as they defeated the Panthers 23-7 last week. Pittsburgh QB Troy Williams has improved every week and had a tremendous performance in Week 5, completing 15-of-19 passes for 184 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He also led both teams with 59 rushing yards and a score. The Maulers will look for that this weekend against the Showboats, who are coming off an impressive win last week over the Breakers.
Memphis' defense came to play, holding New Orleans scoreless in the first half and forcing them into three turnovers. Even though the Showboats' offense couldn't turn those turnovers into touchdowns, QB Cole Kelley and Co. did just enough to pull out the win. Kelley completed 24-of-36 passes for 224 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The Showboats' defense got after Breakers QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, sacking him four times and holding RB Wes Hills to 38 rushing yards on 14 carries. As we said last week, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Pittsburgh in another low-scoring game, especially given the defenses involved here. However, we like the Maulers to win on Saturday, as Williams' dual-threat ability should negate the Showboats' pass rush and Pitt's defense will lockdown the Showboats' receivers on the outside.
Pick: Maulers 21 (-2.5), Showboats 16
Birmingham Stallions at Michigan Panthers
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX
- Spread: Stallions -5.5 (-110); Panthers +5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Stallions -225, Panthers +185
- Over/Under: 44.5
The Stallions got punched in their mouth by the Gamblers last weekend, allowing 20 points in the fourth quarter. Birmingham's run defense again got tested by Houston RB Mark Thompson, who had 78 yards and three touchdowns. Overall, the Stallions gave up 135 yards on the ground and now will have to face the struggling Panthers, who have a good defense but an inconsistent offense.
If Michigan received consistent QB play from Josh Love or Carson Strong, they could've won last weekend. Michigan's defense forced the Maulers into two turnovers and recorded three sacks, but the offense was stuck in neutral for the most part. Therefore, if the Panthers want to take down the Stallions, they must get Reggie Corbin and Stevie Scott III rolling on the ground. This RB duo was one of the best in the USFL last season and has played huge roles in both wins this season. In their two wins, Michigan is posting 117 rushing yards per game but 86.3 rushing yards per game in three losses. We like Alex McGough to pick up a road win here, but the Panthers' defense will keep the game close.
Pick: Stallions 24, Panthers 20 (+5.5)
New Orleans Breakers at Philadelphia Stars
Sunday, noon ET, FS1
- Spread: Breakers -7.5 (-110); Stars +7.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Breakers -300, Stars +240
- Over/Under: 47.5
The Breakers played their worst game of the season last week and suffered their first loss against the Showboats. McLeod Bethel-Thompson was under a lot of pressure, which led to uncharacteristic mistakes that gave life to the Showboats. They cannot afford a repeat performance against the Stars, who are coming off a tough win against the Generals.
Case Cookus was sacked four times last week by the Generals, but he didn't turn the ball over. However, the Stars' offense struggled inside the red zone (0-for-4) and mustered just 61 rushing yards. That will not cut it against a Breakers' squad scoring 27 points per game. If Hills can get going on the ground against the Stars' run defense (151.8 yards per game allowed), the Breakers should roll.
Pick: Breakers 30 (-7.5), Stars 21
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New Jersey Generals at Houston Gamblers
Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX
- Spread: Generals -5.5 (-110); Gamblers +5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Generals -225, Gamblers +180
- Over/Under: 45.5
In the final game of Week 6, the Generals will look to snap their two-game losing streak against the Gamblers on Sunday afternoon. Houston is coming off a great win against Birmingham, as they were without starting QB Kenji Bahar (ankle). Without Bahar, the Gamblers leaned on RB Mark Thompson, who had three touchdowns, and backup QB Terry Wilson, who played well in this first start (158 total yards and a passing TD). His lone TD pass was a 50-yard bomb in the second quarter to wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams. With Bahar back under the center, but the Gamblers must continue to lean on Thompson, as T.J. Pledger was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the Generals outplayed the Stars in every statistical category on offense but had four turnovers and were just one-for-three in the red zone. De'Andre Johnson wasn't terrible (7/12 for 79 yards, 62 rushing yards, and a touchdown), but he also wasn't good enough, getting replaced by Kyle Lauletta, who completed 10-of-12 passes for 111 yards, one rushing touchdown, and an interception. If New Jersey eliminates the turnovers, it should win, as it has a top-two scoring defense and only allow 87.4 rushing yards per game. However, the Generals should be on upset alert. The Gamblers' defense is stout against the run and is not afraid of any challenge.
Pick: Generals 24, Gamblers 21 (+5.5)
