1988 USFL Playoff Preview

Sporting News, June 30, 1988

The regular season is over, sixteen weeks of sweat and struggle to get here, the playoffs. From twenty teams there are now ten who will continue to strive for the chance to be called Champions. We have new faces, new cities, and some old favorites all vying for their title shot and all glad that there is football to be played this week. It all gets under way this weekend with 4 Wild Card hopefuls battling for a shot to go after the top seeds and make a name for themselves. We will start by looking at the two Wild Card Weekend matchups and then preview the other 6 teams waiting for their shot to win and advance.

Western Wildcard Matchup

TEXAS OUTLAWS (8-8) @ LOS ANGELES EXPRESS (9-7)

8pm EST, Saturday, July 2

Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA

Two veteran quarterbacks, two bruising backs, two top-tier receivers, and two defenses with talent face off in Anaheim this Saturday as the Outlaws, in their first year of existence, take on the LA Express, back in the playoffs after two straight disappointing years. It’s Steve Young vs. Doug Williams, John Hadl vs. Woody Widenhofer, and Christian Okoye running head first towards Brian Bosworth. Let’s look at the tale of the tape on these two teams.

TEXAS OUTLAWS

Stars: QB Doug Williams, HB Stump Mitchell, WR Carlos Carson, LB Brian Bosworth, CB Najee Mustafaa

Rankings: 23.8 PPG (4th), 340 YPG (3rd),

23.1 PPGA (15th), 314 YPGA (10th)

Last 5 Games: 1-4

Texas started off the season on fire, going 5-1 in the Spring, but as the San Marcos sun has started to heat up, the Outlaws have wilted, losing 4 of their last 5 and showing signs of concern for coach Woody Widenhofer. A big win over the Denver Gold helped get them here, but season ending losses against two non-playoff teams (Michigan and Baltimore) have to worry the Outlaws. This is a team with talent on both sides of the ball, including the league’s leading receiver (in yards and receptions) in Carlos Carson, and the league’s tackle king in Brian Bosworth. And yet, this is also a team that has been inconsistent over the past 2 months. They have firepower, but often misfire. They have stopping power, but too often bend. Look, it’s an 8-8 team, so to say they are inconsistent is pretty easy. They have a good chance against another inconsistent team, but will need to play well in all 3 phases of the game this week, and especially if they head to New Orleans next week.

LOS ANGELES EXPRESS

Stars: QB Steve Young, HB Christian Okoye, WR Eric Martin, TE Todd Christiansen, CB Ron Pitts

Rankings: 20.4 PPG (8th), 318 YPG (9th),

18.5 PPGA (5th), 319 YPGA (11th)

Last 5 Games: 3-2

To say that there is pressure on Steve Young to produce is an understatement. Signed as the savior of the Express in 1984, and producing two straight playoff years in 84 and 85, things were looking solid for the former BYU Cougar, but after two straight losing seasons, the Express faithful are getting restless. Young has the talent around him to win. Okoye is a beast of a back who demands gang tackles to bring him down. In Townsell, Martin and Christiansen the Express have a dangerous set of receivers, and their line has been one of the league’s best this year. So offense should be possible for the Express. Their defense, while solid in points per game, has not been able to consistently slow down opposing offenses between the 20’s. Texas has a dangerous offensive roster, so the Express D is going to have to find a way to turn drives into punts, or at the least into Nick Mike-Myer field goals while the offense finds ways in to the end zone.

Our Pick: This is truly a toss-up, but with more talent on defense, we are going to pick the Outlaws to get the slight upset and the road win.

Eastern Wildcard Matchup

PITTSBURGH MAULERS (8-8) @ NEW JERSEY GENERALS (8-8)

5pm EST, Sunday, July 3

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

The Maulers edged Baltimore for the final playoff spot, while New Jersey backed their way into this game after seemingly turning the corner and rising up to potential division champion status. It feels very much like a battle between an over-achiever and an under-achiever. On paper the Generals have the talent to wipe the floor with the Maulers, but Pittsburgh has shown grit and teamwork all year long. Are they just happy to be here after 4 losing seasons at Three Rivers, or are they here to shake things up? Is New Jersey a legitimate contender who simply lost focus, or are they once again going to disappoint the Garden State with a lackluster effort? Lace them up and let’s see.

PITTSBURGH MAULERS

Stars: QB Alan Risher, HB Mike Rozier, TE Mike Shaw, WR Danny Buggs, DE John Bosa, CB Quintin Jones

Rankings: 24.1 PPG (2nd), 328 YPG (7th),

23.9 PPGA (18th), 328 YPGA (14th)

Last 5 Games: 3-2

Pittsburgh handily defeated New Jersey last week in the regular season finale, but we all know that those games can be traps as the Generals had already all but locked up a playoff spot. Pittsburgh cannot assume it will be that easy this time around. But, this is a plucky, determined Mauler squad. And it is one that surprises a lot of people. Let’s be honest, when you saw that they were the #2 scoring offense in the USFL you were surprised. A lot of that has been thanks to the resurgence of Alan Risher at QB. The former Arizona Wrangler took 2 years to get back into starting form after a stint on an NFL bench, but he has been on fire this year, a likely MVP or OPOY candidate. The defense, however, still needs some more pieces. They finished the year 18th in points allowed, and while they have some solid contributors there is really no one player they can turn to for the big play at the right time. If they want to win it will take all 45 men working together to make it happen.

NEW JERSEY GENERALS

Stars: QB Doug Flutie, HB Herschel Walker, TE Brent Jones, WR Lam Jones, DE Gary Jeter, CB Terry Daniels

Rankings: 20.3 PPG (9th), 311 YPG (14th),

19.8 PPGA (9th), 297 YPGA (5th)

Last 5 Games: 1-4

New Jersey always seems to be a February Favorite, a team folks get excited about in the offseason, but they never seem to pull it together once the games start. This year felt different as the Generals started off hot and at one point held the lead in the division, but they have lost 5 of their last 6, and the offense has simply not produced the way we expected. They are one of the better teams against the run (allowing fewer than 80 yards per game) which will be key as they hope to slow down Mike Rozier, but we also know that all eyes will be on rushing champion Herschel Walker to make the difference. He was the league’s first big signing, and a huge face for the franchise for 6 years, but this may be his best shot at proving that he is more than a back, he is a leader.

Our Pick: We don’t buy that last week’s performance was the real Generals. This is a team with a lot to prove and we expect they will be well-prepared for what Pittsburgh throws at them this week. We are picking New Jersey to finally show what they can be and set themselves up for a grudge match against the Philadelphia Stars by beating the Maulers this week.

WAITING IN THE WINGS

Four teams play their way into the Divisional Round next week. These are the six teams waiting in the wings and preparing for their time in the sun.

BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (9-7) 3rd Seed

Stars: QB Cliff Stoudt, HB Joe Cribbs, WR Jim Smith, DE Bob Barber, CB Kenneth Howard

Rankings: 23 PPG (5th), 333 YPG (5th),

19.6 PPGA (6th), 329 YPGA (15th)

Last 5 Games: 2-3

The one time presumptive Southern Division Champs let it slip away by going 2-4 down the stretch. Despite being one of the top 5 offenses in the league, far too often the Stallions have scored fewer than 20 points and that won’t cut it in the playoffs. A 30-13 loss to Memphis two weeks ago will fuel the fire in their divisional matchup against the same Showboats, but the fire they need to see is in the heart of HB Joe Cribbs. His legs are the engine that drives this offense, and if he gets rolling the Stallions are tough to beat. Cliff Stoudt cannot do it with his arm. He needs the play action game to be available to allow for open receivers and big plays. If Cribbs is on, it will be there, if Memphis can contain him, the Stallions may struggle again.

MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (10-6) 2nd Seed

Stars: QB Mike Kelley, HB Greg Boone, WR Mel Gray, DE Reggie White, LB Eddie Simmons

Rankings: 22.1 PPG (6th), 329 YPG (6th),

18.6 PPGA (6th), 307 YPGA (7th)

Last 5 Games: 4-1

The Showboats come into the playoffs on a tear. They have won 6 of their last 7 and 8 of 10 over the back of the season. Other than a very bizarre 9-0 loss in Michigan the Showboats have been scoring points and shutting down opponents. Mike Kelley led the league in attempts and completions on his way to an All-USFL season, and Greg Boone has found new life as the starter at halfback after years in Gary Anderson’s shadow in Tampa. The defense is anchored by one of the nicest, but most feared, players in the USFL, DE Reggie White. This is a team that can outscore you or can simply shut you down. If both sides of the ball are at their best, they can dominate.

PHILADELPHIA STARS (10-6) 1st Seed

Stars: QB Chuck Fusina, HB Kelvin Bryant, WR Mike Quick, DE William Fuller, LB Sam Mills

Rankings: 19.3 PPG (13th), 309 YPG (15th),

14.8 PPGA (1st), 274.9 YPGA (1st)

Last 5 Games: 4-1

With their offenses sputtering all year, and trailing New Jersey in the standings for a good part of the season, many were saying that Philly’s run as a dominant force in the league was ending, but the Stars came on as the season drew to a close, and their defense started taking over games. When you are #1 in the league in scoring defense and yardage, you can win a lot of games, even if your offense is mediocre at best. This is not a team that will win a shootout, this is a team that will make sure a shootout does not happen. Expect Philadelphia to be prepared to stop the run regardless of whether it is Walker and the Generals or Rozier and the Maulers in their first game. Coach Mora is going to have this team prepared and ready to take away their opponents top weapons. They are once again the #1 seed and they are still the defending champions, so don’t sleep on the Stars.

HOUSTON GAMBLERS (11-4-1) 3rd Seed

Stars: QB Jim Kelly, HB Thurman Thomas, WR Ricky Sanders, LB Kiki DeAyala, DE Simon Fletcher

Rankings: 23.9 PPG (3rd), 357 YPG (2nd),

17.3 PPGA (4th), 295 YPGA (4th)

Last 5 Games: 3-2

Any team that has a Top 5 offense and a Top 5 defense is a dangerous squad. Houston can outpace you with their mult-look offense, or they can shut you down with their swarming defense. They have the second best record in the league for a reason, and they have the experience and the hunger to return to the Championship after falling inches short of a title last year. We expect Houston to give Denver all they have in the divisional round, having beaten them in last year’s playoffs to advance to the Championship Game. Expect Coach Pardee to have some new gadgets and new looks in store on offense, and expect that defense to play aggressively against a Denver offense that can be sporadic at times.

DENVER GOLD (10-6) 2nd Seed

Stars: QB Bob Gagliano, HB Harry Sydney, WR Bill Brooks, DE Larry White, CB Solomon Wilcots

Rankings: 21.5 PPG (7th), 290 YPG (19th),

15.9 PPGA (2nd), 283.7 YPGA (7th)

Last 5 Games: 3-2

Denver is your classic smashmouth football team, surprising for one led by Coach Mouse Davis, but that is who they have always been. They play solid defense, pressure the QB, shut down the run, and they play ball control on offense. The D helps set up short drives, which allows them to be 19th in total yards as a team and still a Top 10 scoring offense. It is all about field position and ball control. In their game against Houston, they will need both. They will also need a good game from QB Bob Gagliano. We have seen games where Bob Gagliano looks like a Top 5 QB, and we have seen games where we wonder how he still has a starting job. The Gold need him to be on his game to get past a very tough Houston squad. Both Houston and Denver have defenses that can keep the score low, so it will be about turnovers, field position and taking advantage of opportunities.

NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (13-3) 1st Seed

Stars: QB Matt Robinson, HBs Marcus Dupree & Dalton Hilliard, WR Nolan Franz, LB Markus Marek

Rankings: 30.8 PPG (1st), 366.4 YPG (1st),

22.2 PPGA (14th), 331.3 YPGA (16th)

Last 5 Games: 4-1

What a difference a year, and a new coach, can make. Bill Arnsparger came to New Orleans from Baton Rouge and has the Breakers playing the best ball of their 6-year existence. It is all about offense with these Breakers as they have one of the best 1-2 punches in the run game with Dupree and Hilliard, but the key to the quick rise of the tide in New Orleans is the play of QB Matt Robinson. An NFL castoff, Robinson languished behind Tony Eason for years, and even this year Coach Arnsparger brought in CFL starter Matt Dunigan because he was unsure what he had in Robinson. Well, what he has is the presumptive League MVP and a quarterback who can lead the Breakers to a possible championship. This is a team that will have to score points to win it all. They do not have a dominant defense despite the talent of 6 year vet Marcus Marek. They are a shootout ready team that hopes to get up early and then focus on slowing down the game as teams try to come back. That is the formula that has worked all season, and it is what we expect to see in two weeks when they take on the winner of the Texas-LA Wild Card game.

OK, there are your matchups, your team outlooks, and your stars. Time to put on the pads and get on the field to start the 1988 USFL Playoffs.