USFL Power Rankings
by Fran Stuchbury
April 28, 2022 - United States Football League (USFL)
Week two of the United States Football League season is in the books. With the teams showing more chemistry, additional scoring brought an additional spark to action in Birmingham. Week three features the battle of undefeateds as the New Orleans Breakers battle the Birmingham Stallions. One team will also win its first game as the 0-2 Michigan Panthers and 0-2 Pittsburgh Maulers face off. In the other two games, the winner will improve to 2-1 with the Tampa Bay Bandits taking on the Houston Gamblers and the 1-1 New Jersey Generals tackling the 1-1 Philadelphia Stars.
The power rankings after week two:
1. New Orleans Breakers 2-0
The Breakers played a complete game on both sides of the football in their dominant 34-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits. The hurry up offense ran by quarterback Kyle Sloter made the Bandits defense appear tired and burned out, while the Breakers defense turned in a dominant performance with four sacks and two interceptions. A win over Birmingham this week could make the Breakers the team to beat.
2. Birmingham Stallions 2-0
A good number of fans again turned out to support the only home team in the league. Could the home field advantage have an impact against the undefeated New Orleans Breakers? The Stallions used big plays on both sides of the ball in their victory against the Houston Gamblers with an interception return for a score along with a long scoring pass.
3. Houston Gamblers 1-1
Houston was driving down the field with the opportunity to defeat the Birmingham Stallions but a Clayton Thorson interception sealed the Gamblers' fate in their 33-28 loss to the Birmingham Stallions. Can their defense, which has played well in stretches, shut down a Tampa Bay Bandits offense that has had struggles scoring lately?
4. New Jersey Generals 1-1
New Jersey turned in a dominant defensive performance that held the Michigan Panthers to only six points and 198 yards of total offense. The Generals offense has to be more productive this week if Philadelphia's offense plays as well on offense as it did last week.
5. Philadelphia Stars 1-1
The Stars offense was in an outstanding rhythm in their 30-23 victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers. Bryan Scott improved the passing game with three scores through the air and another on the ground. They play against a New Jersey Generals defense that held the Michigan Panthers to only six points.
6. Tampa Bay 1-1
After scoring 17 points in the first half against the Pittsburgh Maulers, the Bandits offense has scored just three points the last six quarters. They were dominated in their 34-3 loss against New Orleans Breakers. New Orleans could be the best team in the USFL, but the Bandits have to put a quick end to their scoring woes immediately against the Houston Gamblers.
7. Pittsburgh Maulers 0-2
After only tallying six points in their week one loss to the Tampa Bay Bandits, the offense showed some life last week, rushing for 123 yards and passing for 236 yards in their 30-23 loss to the Philadelphia Stars. On the other hand, their defense took a step back. After shutting out Tampa Bay in the second half of their week one tilt and generating a pair of early turnovers against Philadelphia, the Maulers yielded a lot of yardage.
8. Michigan Panthers. 0-2
The offense has scored a league-low 18 points the first two weeks of the season, but the defense has helped keep Michigan in both games, holding teams to a combined 27 points. They need much better play out of first overall pick quarterback Shea Patterson who has looked indecisive when given time by his offensive line. Like the Pittsburgh Maulers, they are also approaching must-win territory this week when the two desperate teams meet up.
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United States Football League Stories from April 28, 2022
- USFL Week 3: What to Know About Each Game - USFL
- USFL Power Rankings - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- USFL Power Rankings - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- USFL Power Rankings - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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