Game 1:
Houston Gamblers (5-3) Fourth in South
The Houston Gamblers have joined the win column after barely beating the two and six Pittsburgh Maulers 20-19. Kenji Bahar was solid in week eight, 11-20 for 146 yards with one touchdown, only a completion percentage of 55.0% Good ball security in week eight. They looked a lot better with the football compared to previous weeks. Mark Thompson would record 14 rushing attempts for 98 yards and two touchdowns, and the running back would continue to improve his numbers throughout each and every week. Manny Bunch would record ten tackles in week eight, the safety continues to be a very solid player. Despite winning in week eight, the Gamblers are stuck in last in the Powerhouse South division. The Gamblers are going to attempt to make a late pushback to the top in the final weeks of the season.
Pittsburgh Maulers (2-6) Fourth in North
Despite the loss, the Maulers played a good game overall. Troy Williams the Mauler signal-caller would complete 26 of his 20 passes (20-26) for 214 yards. Overall a nice day for Williams, he would record a completion percentage of 76.9%. Williams would show his dual-threat ability and would record a rushing TD. The quarterback would finish the day with 36 rushing yards on seven attempts. Bailey Gaither would be the teams leading receiver in receptions and in yards. Six receptions for 70 yards for Gaither, by far Troy Williams favorite target. The Maulers look to get a week nine win and still have a sliver of hope to make a late playoff push.
Game 2:
Philadelphia Stars (4-4) First in North
Man oh man, What a close game for the Stars. Philadelphia would fall just short of dethroning the Birmingham Stallions. Birmingham would win the game 27-24 however, the Stars played a PHENOMENAL game. Case Cookus would be indeed cooking up the Stallions defense. The QB would attempt 32 passes and complete 20 (20-32) for 265 yards with three touchdowns and only one interception. Cookus would have a completion percentage of 62.5%, and the Philadelphia signal-caller would have quite the game against the high-powered Stallions. Corey Coleman would make his presence heard, the Star wide receiver would catch four passes for 107 yards with one touchdown. Philadelphia looks like the most polished team by a mile compared to the rest of the North Teams.
Birmingham Stallions (6-2) First in South
The Stallions continue to play amazingly as they barely beat the Stars however, this team continues to look unbeatable. Alex McGough was looking like the MVP front-runner in week eight, the superstar QB would attempt 35 passes and complete 24 of them (24-35) for 333 yards with three touchdowns. Stallions fans could be looking at another championship run, McGough would record a completion percentage of 68.6% and a QBR of 127.4. Davion Davis the flashy wideout would have himself a great game, with four receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown. Davion Davis is such a great weapon for the Stallions, I would expect Davis to continue to get touches and keep performing at a high level. Nate Brooks a defensive back for Birmingham would shine, with one interception on the day with two pass breakups as well. Brooks seems to be making a name for himself. “Giddy Up” Stallions fans would say heading into week nine.
Game 3:
Memphis Showboats (5-3) Second in the South
The Showboats had an incredible amount of time with the football, 41 minutes of Possession, the Showboats completely dominated the New Jersey Generals in their week eight win. Memphis would win 25-16 however, Cole Kelley did not look good. Kelley would attempt 24 passes and would complete 15 of them (15-24) with 176 passing yards and one interception. Kelley did not perform well at all. An overall completion percentage of 62.5% and a horrendous QBR of 67.4. Kerrith Whyte the young running back would have a great game, On 23 rushing attempts the RB would record 102 yards with one touchdown. The running back has taken the league by storm, he is a very tough runner. Showboat fans should be excited to have him. Antonio Reed is another name to watch, the safety recorded five tackles while adding a touchdown and a pass deflection. Memphis seemed to turn there season around and continue to push to the top of the league.
New Jersey Generals (2-6) Third in North
The Generals are just not good. The offense is not explosive anymore, Dakota Prukop would complete 14 of his 25 passes (14-25) for 128 yards with two touchdown and one interception. Prukop would have an awful completion percentage of 56.0% and a subpar QBR of 80.1. New Jersey should make a switch to Newly Signed QB Eric Barriere, the new Signal-caller will bring his dual-threat ability to New Jersey. Some how, the Generals have playoff hopes still alive even though they are 2-6, a losing record. Chris Orr would have a hell of a game on defense, 12 total tackles and two tackles for a loss; great numbers all around for the line backer. Kick returner Warren Newman is someone USFL fans should keep a name on their radar, on four returns the Kick returner would record 93 yards. Newman has speed, don’t let him get into the open space. New Jersey will try to make a late push and wedge their way into the playoff picture.
Game 4:
Michigan Panthers (3-5) Second in North
The Panthers would fall just short of beating the New Orleans Breakers. New Orleans would barely get by with a score of 24-20 however, Josh Love looked great, the whole team looks pretty solid. Love would complete 68.8% on 22 completions out of 32 passes (22-32) for 221 yards with two touchdowns and one interception he would also add A good QBR of 96. Marcus Baugh who is a tightend would have quite the game, two receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. Frank Ginda would have quite performance and would earn Defensive Player of the week, 11 total tackles, two tackles for a loss and one interception. Ginda has stepped up and will continue to be a great player for the Panthers. The Panthers are still in the Playoff hunt despite losing.
New Orleans Breakers (5-3) Third in the South
Week eight would be a great game for the Breakers offense, McLeod Bethel-Thompson would play okay, Thompson would complete 25/34 in the air with 328 yards with two touchdowns and two picks, adding a completion percentage of 73.5% while adding a QBR of 98.7. The Signal-caller could of been better, against a good team those turnovers can end up screwing the team. Johnnie Dixon would have an incredible game, nine receptions 136 yards with two touchdowns. Dixon would win Offensive player of the Week, the wide out left his mark on the field. The defense of the Panthers would have a hard time stopping the shifty route runner. Jonathan Adams another wideout would record eight receptions for 117 yards. The Breakers have a good wide receiver group, two of the best WR in the league are playing with the Breakers. Are the Breakers back??
Here we are, the USFL season is coming to the end. Now it’s time for you to let us know who is a team to watch out for! Any team can make the playoffs, should be exciting for the league.
My name is Karver Jordan, and I'm a student living in New England. I appreciate sharing my understanding of sports with everyone. If you liked this article, follow me on Instagram and Twitter!
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