USFL Playoffs odds: Best bets for semifinals

By Geoff Schwartz
FOX Sports activities NFL Analyst

Probably the most thrilling time of yr for any sport is playoffs. And after 10 thrilling weeks, we have reached that time within the USFL season.

4 groups have confirmed that they have the stuff worthy to battle it out within the postseason. After taking part in all the common season in Birmingham, Ala., the USFL is taking its present on the street and all playoff video games can be performed at Tom Benson Corridor of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio — proper subsequent to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. 

Legendary.

And talking of legendary, which groups and gamers will develop into USFL legends throughout this inaugural postseason? Properly, I am unable to predict that, however I can provide you my greatest bets for the semifinals.

Hold studying to search out out my greatest bets for this primary week of USFL playoffs, with all odds via FOX Bet.

Philadelphia Stars (6-4) vs. New Jersey Generals (9-1), 3 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX

Let’s run it again.

I gave y’all of the over on this matchup simply final weekend, and it hit with ease. The Generals beat the Stars 26-23 to complete the season hitting the over in seven of their 10 video games. You must also know that this New Jersey crew has scored the third-most factors within the league and entered final weekend with the primary ranked offensive effectivity operation. Not shabby in any respect. 

As a result of the Generals are a speeding machine, they depart this former offensive lineman with a smile after watching their video games. They sit at 160.6 yards per sport with a three-headed speeding method. Working backs Trey Williams and Darius Victor have practically similar speeding yards this season, with Williams at 579 and Victor at 577, second and third within the league. Additionally, dual-threat quarterback De’Andre Johnson has added 310 yards this season. 

Luis Perez, the Generals’ beginning quarterback, leads the league in completion share (minimal 100 makes an attempt) at 71.7 and has a QBR of 145.9. It ought to come as no shock that they’re the perfect at changing third and fourth downs and have turned the ball over solely eight instances in 10 video games. 

This NJ offense is going through a poor Philadelphia protection. The Stars have allowed probably the most factors within the league as opponents scored at the least 24 factors in seven of their final 10 video games. The Stars permit 151.2 speeding yards per sport, which ranks final within the league. This is not going to be splendid towards this potent Generals speeding assault. Anticipate NJ to place up some factors on this matchup.

Now, let’s take a look at Philly.

The Stars’ protection would possibly stink it up, however their offense has scored probably the most factors within the league with the second-ranked offense. The Stars have a balanced offensive assault, averaging 184 passing yards and 103 speeding yards per sport. Quarterback Case Cookus completes 62.5 p.c of his move makes an attempt at a 6.4 yards per try clip. The Stars’ offense is going through an opponent within the Generals whose protection ranks seventh in anticipated factors added and can permit factors in bunches. New Jersey has solely 10 sacks this season and, identical to final weekend, the Stars can have time for Cookus to prepare dinner. Additionally, it is price noting that the over has hit in seven of the Stars’ 10 video games.

I really like the over on this sport.

PICK: Over 41.5 points scored by both teams combined

New Orleans Breakers (6-4) vs. Birmingham Stallions (9-1), 8 p.m. ET Saturday, NBC

The Stallions began the season successful and protecting their first six video games. Whereas the successful has continued, the protecting has not. The Stallions completed 9-1 straight up however didn’t cowl the final 4 weekends. They’ve gained by one, two and three factors the final three weekends. It is extremely attainable that the Stallions mentally shut it down after clinching their playoff spot after Week 7, or possibly the Stallions have regressed to the center. Their numbers and their play on the sector counsel the latter is probably.

Whereas the Stallions have scored the second-most factors within the league, they’ve solely scored 16 factors per sport over their final three, together with simply 10 to those Breakers simply three weeks in the past. Birmingham has averaged 324.3 yards per sport however solely reached that mark as soon as within the final month. Now, the crew faces the perfect protection within the league. 

The Breakers entered final weekend as probably the most environment friendly protection within the USFL. They had been first in defensive scoring, solely permitting 14.6 factors per sport. New Orleans permits barely extra speeding yards than passing yards, which could help the Stallions’ wonderful speeding assault, however that’s all of the offense the Stallions will get. The Stallions full solely 51% of their move makes an attempt and that’s not ok to maneuver the ball persistently towards the Breakers’ passing protection.

This matchup will give us a reasonably even contest. The Breakers’ offense is fourth in anticipated factors added whereas the Stallions’ protection is second. The Breakers common only a tick over 300 yards per sport and have scored 19.4 factors per matchup. The Stallions’ protection permits 16.1 factors per sport, and the Breakers’ offense towards the Stallions’ D doesn’t supply a lot of a bonus matchup for both crew.

I just like the Breakers to cowl the sector objective plus a hook with their protection carrying the workload.

I imagine the below can also be price a sprinkle with each defenses being elite. 

PICK: Breakers (+3.5 at FOX Bet) to lose by fewer than 3.5 points (or win outright)
PICK: Under 42.5 points scored by both teams combined

Geoff Schwartz performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 completely different groups. He began at proper deal with for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior yr. He’s an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. Observe him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.

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