USFL Power Rankings
by Fran Stuchbury
May 5, 2023 - United States Football League (USFL)
The United States Football week completed its third week of the 2023 season with one undefeated team remaining at 3-0, three squads with 2-1 records, three 1-2 teams and one looking for its first victory. In week three, the New Orleans Breakers dominated the Birmingham Stallions, and the Houston Gamblers edged the Memphis Showboats on Saturday. On Sunday the Pittsburgh Maulers held on against the Philadelphia Stars, and the New Jersey Generals outdistanced the Michigan Panthers.
Week four begins Saturday in Detroit with 1-2 Houston vs. 1-2 Philadelphia, and 0-3 Memphis against 2-1 Michigan. On Sunday at Canton, Ohio, 3-0 New Orleans takes on 2-1 New Jersey and 2-1 Birmingham tries to get back on track against 1-2 Pittsburgh.
The power rankings after week two:
1. New Orleans Breakers 3-0
A dominant rushing attack has helped the Breakers put up 83 points the past two games and knock off defending USFL champion Birmingham last week. Veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson continues to make big plays for an offense which is hard to stop.
2. Birmingham Stallions
After shutting out Memphis two weeks ago, the Stallions defense gave up 45 points in their loss to New Orleans. As good as the Stallions offense has been, it couldn't keep up even after being spotted a score on the opening kickoff.
3. New Jersey Generals 2-1
Generals head coach Mike Riley played quarterback DeAndre Johnson the entire game, and he passed for 180 yards and two touchdowns and added 98 yards rushing and another score in their victory over the Panthers.
4. Michigan Panthers 2-1
After an outstanding week one performance, Panthers quarterback Josh Love has struggled with only one touchdown pass and three interceptions, putting more pressure on Michigan to run the football.
5. Houston Gamblers 1-2
The Gamblers finally won a game late, even coming back in the final two minutes to pull out the victory in a contest they led most of the way.
6. Pittsburgh Maulers 1-2
Pittsburgh solved their kicking issues with the newly-obtained Chris Blewitt going a perfect five-of-five on field goal attempts, and their offense scored its first touchdown of the season in their win over the Stars.
7. Philadelphia Stars 1-2
The team that lost last year's USFL Championship Game is off to a slow start behind an offensive line which hasn't been able to protect quarterback Case Cookus or produce a running game.
8. Memphis Showboats 0-3
Quarterback Cole Kelley performed well in his first USFL start with 307 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in their narrow loss to the Gamblers. The Showboats defense has given up a league-worst 99 points so far this season.
United States Football League Stories from May 5, 2023
- Former NFL First-Rounder Reuben Foster Enjoying Return to Pro Football in USFL - Pittsburgh Maulers
- What to Expect in Memphis Showboats vs. Michigan Panthers - Memphis Showboats
- What to Expect in Houston Gamblers vs. Philadelphia Stars - Houston Gamblers
- What to Expect in New Orleans Breakers vs. New Jersey Generals - New Orleans Breakers
- What to Expect in Birmingham Stallions vs. Pittsburgh Maulers - Birmingham Stallions
- USFL Week 4: What to Expect in All Four Matchups - 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
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
