Week 1 of the USFL season went mostly as expected, featuring low-scoring contests that saw the defenses far ahead of the offenses. The eight teams combined to score a mere 141 points, an average of just over 35 points per game.
As such, we’re seeing some very low totals in USFL Week 2, with some of these well out of range for what an NFL game normally presents. Here’s the USFL schedule with odds, lines, date and time for Week 2.
USFL Schedule 2022 With Odds For Week 2
Michigan Panthers vs. New Jersey Generals
Spread: Panthers +1 (-115) | Generals -1 (-115)
Moneyline: Panthers -105 | Generals -125
Total: 40.5 (-115)
Panthers vs. Generals Game Time: Friday, April 22, 8 p.m. EST
Pittsburgh Maulers vs. Philadelphia Stars
Spread: Maulers +6.5 (-105) | Stars -6.5 (-125)
Moneyline: Maulers +210 | Stars -300
Total: 35.5 (-115)
Maulers vs. Stars Game Time: Saturday, April 23, 12 p.m. EST
Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
Spread: Stallions -3 (-110) | Gamblers +3 (-115)
Moneyline: Stallions -160 | Gamblers +120
Total: 40.5 (-115)
Stallions vs. Gamblers Game Time: Saturday, April 23, 7 p.m. EST
New Orleans Breakers vs. Tampa Bay Bandits
Spread: Breakers +2.5 (-115) | Bandits -2.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Breakers +105 | Bandits -140
Total: 40.5 (-115)
Breakers vs. Bandits Game Time: Sunday, April 24, 3 p.m. EST
2022 USFL Week 2 Predictions and Best Bets
After a week of North vs. South, Week 2 of the USFL features divisional matchups, with the league labeling this as its rivalry week.
Here are my predictions and best bets for 2022 USFL Week 2.
USFL Week 2 Best Bet: Philadelphia Stars -6.5 (-115) vs. Pittsburgh Maulers, Saturday, April 23 at 12 p.m. EST, available at BetMGM
There’s a very real chance that Kirby Wilson has already lost the locker room for the Maulers, as Pittsburgh looked completely lost after cutting De’Veon Smith over his choice of pizza over chicken salad. When you build your team around running the football and you release the most talented running back on your roster before your first game, it’s kind of difficult to keep everyone on the same page. The Maulers showed that, as they only managed 2.8 yards per carry in Week 1.
Philadelphia didn’t look fantastic in Week 1 either, but the Stars at least moved the ball and played a competitive game against the New Orleans Breakers. Bryan Scott completed 69.4 percent of his passes against New Orleans, and with Pittsburgh’s defense allowing Jordan Ta’amu to complete 62.5 percent of his passes in Week 1, the Stars should be able to find plenty of holes in the Maulers’ secondary.
I’m taking the Stars to win by at least a touchdown in Week 2.
USFL Week 2 Best Bet: Birmingham Stallions -3 (-115) vs. Houston Gamblers, Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m. EST, available at BetMGM
Houston might have bested the Michigan Panthers in Week 1, but that was more because the Panthers couldn’t hold on to the football, as opposed to anything the Gamblers did well. Houston only managed 174 total yards on offense, with just 74 of those yards coming through the air. While the Birmingham Stallions’ defense wasn’t very impressive in the opening weekend, the Gamblers’ offense looked so weak that I don’t expect that they’ll be able to take advantage of that.
Birmingham had no problems moving the ball through the air against the New Jersey Generals, and with Houston giving up 189 passing yards to Michigan, there’s plenty of opportunity here. As long as the Stallions play disciplined football, they should win and cover the three-point spread.
USFL Week 2 Best Bet: New Orleans Breakers +2.5 (-115) vs. Tampa Bay Bandits, Sunday, April 24 at 3 p.m. EST, available at BetMGM
The Tampa Bay Bandits might have had an easy time with the Pittsburgh Maulers in Week 1, but the way the Bandits played in the second half suggests that their win was more because of the Maulers’ incompetence than their own excellence. New Orleans ran all over the Philadelphia Stars for 171 yards, and the Bandits might have real problems with a team that actually has a solid offensive line and a good running back.
The Breakers got a fine performance out of Jordan Ellis (18 carries for 89 yards) in USFL Week 1, and unlike Pittsburgh, their quarterback play from Kyle Sloter should keep Tampa Bay from focusing heavily on the run. This should help New Orleans hang around so much so that I’m taking them plus the points as a USFL Week 2 best bet.
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