Spring football is back in business, as the United States Football League (USFL) returns to action after going dark in 1985. Even though the team names are mostly the same, the original USFL holds no connection to this one, as these will be eight completely new entities getting spring football rolling again.
Every USFL game this season will be played at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala., so there won’t be any home field advantage to worry about when placing bets. With that in mind, here are the USFL odds to win the championship in 2022.
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USFL Teams and Odds to Win Championship 2022
- Tampa Bay Bandits +425
- New Orleans Breakers +425
- Michigan Panthers +500
- Philadelphia Stars +600
- Pittsburgh Maulers +650
- Houston Gamblers +700
- Birmingham Stallions +750
- New Jersey Generals +750
USFL Schedule 2022 With Odds For Week 1
The USFL schedule is available as are the odds for Week 1. Here are the USFL odds, lines, date and time for all of the Week 1 action.
New Jersey Generals vs. Birmingham Stallions
Spread: Generals +2.5 (-115) | Stallions -2.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Generals +120 | Stallions -150
Total: 43.5 (-115)
Generals vs. Stallions Date & Game Time: Saturday, April 16, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where to Watch Generals vs. Stallions: FOX/NBC/Peacock
Houston Gamblers vs. Michigan Panthers
Spread: Gamblers +2.5 (-115) | Panthers -2.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Gamblers +120 | Panthers -150
Total: 43.5 (-115)
Gamblers vs. Panthers Date & Game Time: Sunday, April 17, 12 p.m. EST
Where to Watch Gamblers vs. Panthers: NBC/Peacock
Philadelphia Stars vs. New Orleans Breakers
Spread: Stars +2.5 (-115) | Breakers -2.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Stars +110 I Breakers -140
Total: 43.5 (-115)
Stars vs. Breakers Date & Game Time: Sunday, April 17, 4 p.m. EST
Where to Watch Stars vs. Breakers: USA
Tampa Bay Bandits vs. Pittsburgh Maulers
Spread: Bandits -3.5 (-115) | Maulers +3.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Bandits -210 I Maulers +160
Total: 42.5 (-115)
Bandits vs. Maulers Date & Game Time: Sunday, April 17, 8 p.m. EST
Where to Watch Bandits vs. Maulers: FS1
2022 USFL Opening Weekend Predictions and Best Bets
As the league is off to a new start with a clean slate this weekend, it’s good to remember that the sportsbooks might not know exactly what to expect from these teams. That can create opportunity for the savvy bettor. In previous start-up football leagues, like the XFL, we’ve seen that it’s tough for offenses to come together in the early going, so playing an under or two might be a wise idea during Week 1 of the USFL 2022.
Here are predictions and best bets for 2022 USFL Week 1.
USFL Week 1 Best Bet: Michigan Panthers -2.5 (-115) vs. Houston Gamblers, Sunday at 12 p.m. EST on NBC/Peacock
Michigan Panthers head coach Jeff Fisher is arguably the best head coach and defensive mind in the USFL coaching ranks. We’ve seen in past spring football leagues that defense is how you win games, mostly because it takes longer for an offense to get on the same page than it does a defense.
Not only does this league’s early setup favor Fisher’s coaching style, but the Panthers have what might be the league’s best quarterback in Shea Patterson. Michigan selected him first overall in the USFL Draft, and if he can play like he did for the Michigan Wolverines, the Panthers will have a solid offensive attack to complement their defense.
Throw in that Houston’s roster appears to be one of the USFL’s weakest in terms of talent, as made apparent by the team’s +700 odds to win the 2022 championship, and there’s plenty of value in backing Michigan -2.5 in Week 1.
USFL Week 1 Best Bet: Philadelphia Stars +2.5 (-115) vs. New Orleans Breakers, Sunday at 4 p.m. EST on USA
Most of these teams were put together on the fly, but that’s not the case with the Philadelphia Stars. Bart Andrus, who will serve a head coach and general manager of the Stars, was the coach of the XFL’s developmental team during its ill-fated 2020 season and coached in obscurity in The Spring League before moving to the USFL and snapping up quarterback Bryan Scott with his first pick.
Scott played for Andrus in The Spring League, which means that unlike any other QB in the league, he’s already been in the system he’s going to run as the team’s starter. That familiarity means Philly can likely be more aggressive than most other USFL teams, and that should serve the Stars well.
That Philadelphia is getting points makes me like this Week 1 bet even better since one of the hardest things to do in football is get everyone on the same page with only a few weeks of preparation.
USFL Week 1 Best Bet: Tampa Bay Bandits vs. Pittsburgh Maulers Under 42.5 (-115), Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on FS1
The Tampa Bay Bandits might want to sling the ball around in their USFL season opener, but the expected conditions on Sunday night say that they won’t be able to do that. Thunderstorms are expected to roll through Birmingham around kickoff, which should make it difficult for the Bandits to move the ball through the air.
The Pittsburgh Maulers, on the other hand, built their team around a powerful ground game, as coach Kirby Wilson’s background is in coaching running backs. This should mean a clock that keeps running through much of the contest. With Madre London in the backfield and a strong offensive line, there’s a good chance they play the ball control game and try to keep Tampa Bay’s offense on the sidelines, and a running clock is always good for an under.
The weather forecast plus the offensive game plans for these teams makes the under my best bet in the Bandits vs. Maulers Week 1 USFL game.
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