USFL Week 9 energy scores: It is the Stallions, then everybody else

With one week left within the common season, the USFL is as vast open as ever.

Just one crew has clinched a playoff berth — the protecting champion Birmingham Stallions — and not one of the different seven groups were eradicated from postseason competition.

All of it units up an exhilarating Week 10, with video games in Memphis, Canton, Ohio and Detroit. Let’s take a look at our newest version of our 2023 USFL energy scores.

[If the playoffs started today]

1. Birmingham Stallions (7-2, 3-2 in South)

Remaining week: Beat Houston, 38-15.

With a league-best seven wins in 9 weeks, and because the first and most effective crew to clinch one among 4 playoff spots, the Stallions have reclaimed the highest spot within the scores.

Quarterback Alex McGough put in combination every other efficiency to present additional credence to his MVP candidacy. He finished 13 of 21 passes, ran up 242 general yards, and accounted for 3 TDs in opposition to Houston on Sunday in Houston’s domestic hub.

The Birmingham offense is firing on all cylinders presently, scoring 31 offensive issues vs. Houston on most effective 43 performs. They simply reached 3rd down 5 occasions all sport (fewest in a sport for the reason that league resumed in 2022).

2. New Orleans Breakers (6-3, 3-2 in South)

Remaining week: Beat Memphis, 31-3.

An extended climate lengthen did not do a lot to hose down the Breakers’ resounding win in opposition to a Showboats crew that had gained 5 immediately. The Breakers protection starred within the win via protecting Memphis to as many issues because it had INTs (3).

The Breakers’ receiving trio of Jonathan Adams, Johnnie Dixon and Sage Surratt each and every got here into ultimate week’s sport within the best 10 in receiving yards however most effective controlled one catch apiece vs. Houston.

With the USFL South Department Championship Sport set for 7 p.m. ET on June 25 at Protecting Box, the Breakers have a possibility to clinch a playoff spot, win the South name with a win — and a Stallions’ loss — in Week 10 and push Birmingham to the customer’s sideline.

3. New Jersey Generals (3-6, 3-2 in North)

Remaining week: Beat Philadelphia, 37-33.

A game-opening, 85-yard kickoff go back for a TD via Cam Echols-Luper proved to be pivotal within the Generals’ win.

De’Andre Johnson additionally picked the best week to go back, finishing 15 of 20 passes for 213 yards — changing into the primary Generals QB to eclipse 200 yards passing this yr. Darius Victor had his first dashing TDs since Week 3, whilst additionally changing into the primary participant this season with a dashing TD, receiving TD and passing TD in the similar sport.

With their win in opposition to the Stars, the Generals have principally compelled the North Department playoffs to start out per week previous. At 3-6, they are tied with the Maulers and Panthers for 2d position whilst the Stars are only a sport forward in first position.

4. Philadelphia Stars (4-5, 2-3 in North)

Remaining week: Misplaced to New Jersey, 37-33.

Regardless of Case Cookus’ terrific passing efficiency — 25-of-39 for 322 yards with 3 TDs — the Stars fell to the Generals.

A win would’ve clinched a playoff spot for the Stars for the second one yr in a row. As a substitute, they sign up for the Maulers, Panthers and Generals in a win-or-go-home state of affairs in Week 10.

5. Houston Gamblers (5-4, 2-3 in South)

Remaining week: Misplaced to Birmingham, 38-15.

The Gamblers have been outscored 28-6 in the second one part in opposition to the Stallions — at domestic. Their MVP candidate, operating again Mark Thompson, was once held to 59 yards on 17 rushes. The loss catapulted Birmingham into the playoffs and assured the South Department name sport will happen at Protecting Stadium.

Houston was once 0-for-5 within the crimson zone vs. Birmingham, and 4-for-14 over its ultimate 4 video games (29%). That’s a large distinction from the primary 5 weeks of the season, when the Gamblers transformed 13 of 16 journeys into TDs (league-best 81%).

Nonetheless, the Gamblers don’t seem to be out of the playoffs. With a win in opposition to Memphis this weekend and a loss via New Orleans, they may clinch a playoff spot for the primary time within the trendy generation of the USFL.

6. Memphis Showboats (5-4, 2-3 in South)

Remaining week: Misplaced to New Orleans, 31-3.

Memphis walked into Simmons Financial institution Liberty Stadium main the league in turnover margin at +5. Then the Showboats became the ball over 5 occasions in 4 quarters in opposition to the Breakers on Saturday. All through their five-game win streak, the Showboats have been +9 in turnover differential, however they are 0-4 when shedding the turnover combat.

Memphis’ protection held the Breakers offense, ranked No. 1 within the USFL, to only 177 yards, with quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson passing for most effective 88 yards. If the offense does not sink the Showboats, and the Stallions spoil the Breakers, a win earns the yacht membership a go back and forth to Birmingham for the playoffs.

7. Pittsburgh Maulers (3-6, 3-2 in North)

Remaining week: Beat Michigan, 19-7.

The Maulers offense summoned simply sufficient issues not to squander every other gem via its protection. 

With the assistance of an 83-yard punt and a 64-yard kickoff go back, to not point out 3 scoreless quarters and 4 turnovers led to via the protection, the Maulers stayed searching for a playoff spot heading into the general week of the common season.

The Maulers protection is proving to be the most productive within the league, score first in scoring, general yards allowed, rush protection and takeaways. With their low-scoring offense, they want to be nice. Pittsburgh is 0-5 when permitting 14 or extra issues this season.

8. Michigan Panthers (3-6, 2-3 in North)

Remaining week: Misplaced to Pittsburgh, 19-7.

With a possibility to knock the Maulers from the playoff race and take regulate of the second one playoff spot within the North Department, the Panthers may muster simply 245 general yards. Quarterback Josh Love’s 4 INTs undoubtedly did not assist.

Pittsburgh’s protection has been a difficult matchup for Michigan this season, with the Panthers turning it over 8 occasions within the two losses to Pittsburgh, in comparison to most effective 9 giveaways of their different seven video games blended. A 3rd assembly with the Maulers remains to be in play for the playoffs if each groups win in Week 10.

RJ Younger is a countrywide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the podcast “The Quantity One School Soccer Display.” Apply him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to “The Quantity One School Soccer Display” on YouTube.

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