USFL Playoffs Preview and Free Picks

The 2022 USFL season has reached the end of its inaugural 10-week slate. The playoffs are upon us, and things are about to get even more exciting. The top four teams will duke things out, and if we’ve learned anything, the unexpected tends to happen.

So much continues to change on a weekly basis that we have to stay flexible with our betting picks. 

Join us again for our continued USFL coverage. Let’s take a look at our playoffs’ best bets and predictions for the two contests this weekend.

*Betting odds via Caesars Sportsbook.

Philadelphia Stars vs. New Jersey Generals

Saturday, June 25, 2022 – 03:00 PM EDT at Tom Beston Hall of Fame Stadium

New Jersey Generals: Regular Season Review

The New Jersey Generals beat the Stars 26-23 to finish the season hitting the Over in 7 of their 10 games. You should also know that this New Jersey team has scored the third-most points in the league and entered last weekend ranked first in offensive efficiency. Not shabby at all. 

New Jersey sits at 160.6 yards per game with a three-headed rushing approach. Running backs Trey Williams and Darius Victor have nearly identical rushing yards this season, with Williams at 579 and Victor at 577, second and third in the league. Also, dual-threat quarterback De’Andre Johnson has added 310 yards this season. 

Luis Perez, the Generals’ starting quarterback, leads the league in completion percentage (minimum 100 attempts) at 71.7 and has a QBR of 145.9. It should come as no surprise that they are the best team at converting third and fourth downs and have turned the ball over only 8 times in 10 games. 

Philadelphia Stars: Regular Season Review

When it comes to the matchup, this NJ offense is facing a poor Philadelphia defense. The Philadelphia Stars have allowed the most points in the league as opponents have scored at least 24 points in 7 of their last 10 games. The Stars also allow 151.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks last in the league.

This will not be ideal against this potent Generals rushing attack. Expect NJ to put up some points in this matchup.

Philadelphia’s defense might stink, but its offense has scored the most points in the league with the second-ranked offense. This team has a balanced offensive attack, averaging 184 passing yards and 103 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Case Cookus completes 62.5% of his pass attempts at a 6.4 yards per attempt clip. 

Stars vs. Generals: Picks and Prediction

The Stars’ offense is facing an opponent in the Generals that will allow points in bunches, as New Jersey’s defense ranks seventh in expected points added.

The Generals only have 10 sacks this season, and just like last weekend, the Stars will have time for Cookus to cook. Also, it’s worth noting that the Over has hit in 7 of the Stars’ 10 games as well.

I’m expecting a lot of points, so I love the Over here.

USFL Pick: Generals -4.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook

USFL Pick: Over 47.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook

Birmingham Stallions vs. New Orleans Breakers

Saturday, June 25, 2022 – 08:00 PM EDT at Tom Beston Hall of Fame Stadium

Birmingham Stallions: Regular Season Review

The Birmingham Stallions started the season hot, winning and covering their first 6 games. While the team’s winning ways have continued, the covering has not. The Stallions finished 9-1 straight up but failed to cover the last four weekends, winning by one, two, and three points the last three weekends.

While the Stallions have scored the second-most points in the league, they’ve only scored 16 points per game over their last three, including just 10 to these Breakers just three weeks ago. Birmingham has averaged 324.3 yards per game but only reached that mark once in the last month. Now, the team faces the best defense in the league. 

It is very possible that the Stallions mentally shut it down after clinching their playoff spot after Week 7, or maybe they regressed to the middle. Birmingham’s numbers and its play on the field suggest the latter is most likely.

New Orleans Breakers: Regular Season Review

On the other side, the New Orleans Breakers entered last weekend with the most efficient defense in the USFL.

They rank first in defensive scoring, only allowing 14.6 points per game. New Orleans allows slightly more rushing yards than passing yards, which might aid the Stallions’ excellent rushing attack, but that is all the offense Birmingham will get.

The Stallions complete only 51% of their pass attempts and that is not good enough to move the ball consistently against this Breakers’ passing defense.

Stallions vs. Breakers: Picks and Prediction

These two teams will be pretty evenly matched. New Orleans’ offense against Birmingham’s defense doesn’t offer much of an advantage.

The Breakers’ offense ranks fourth in expected points added while the Stallions’ defense is second. The Breakers average just a tick over 300 yards per game and have scored 19.4 points per matchup. But the Stallions’ defense allows 16.1 points per game. 

In a game this tight, always take the points. This is why I like the Breakers to cover the spread. Look for their defense to carry the workload. I believe the Under is also worth a sprinkle with both defenses being elite. 

USFL Pick: Breakers +5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook

USFL Pick: Under 45 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook