SCORES
BAL 3 PHI 23
A big day for Kelvin Bryant leads Philly to the win and clinches a playoff berth for the 6th straight year for the Stars. Mike Quick also contributed 126 yards receiving as Bryant scored twice against the Blitz. The Blitz just could not run the ball, with Vince Evans leading the team with only 17 yards rushing.
BIR 13 MEM 30
The Showboats get a franchise-defining win at home against the Stallions to even both teams at 9-6 with one game yet to play. Both teams have clinched playoff spots, but the division title remains up in the air. Mike Kelley threw 3 TDs on the day, while Cliff Stoudt was picked twice in the rivalry game.
ORL 20 TBY 21
Orlando needed the win to keep pace for a wildcard, but the Bandits outplayed them, and much-maligned QB Oliver Luck had his best game of the year against the ‘Gades, throwing for 206 yards, no picks, and all three Bandit TD’s, including 2 to tight end Sam Bowers.
HOU 14 NOR 31
In one of the highest rated USFL games ever, the Breakers proved they were the team to beat this year, scoring 24 unanswered points in the 2nd half to blow past the Gamblers. But, before the Breakers get too cocky, they need to recognize that with Sean Salisbury at the helm, the Gamblers offense was not its usual self, despite 123 and a score from rookie Thurman Thomas.
MGN 27 TEX 16
The Panthers proved they were still in the playoff hunt, with a vital win at the Outlaws. The win ties Michigan with Texas at 8-7, and keeps their playoff hopes alive. Jack Trudeau looked good, throwing for 244 and 3 scores, while Doug Williams struggled. Anthony Carter returned from injury and immediately reminded everyone of his championship seasons, gaining 129 in the air.
DEN 24 OAK 38
The Invaders’ late hot streak continued, as Denver let another important road game slip away. The Gold outgained Oakland 392-259 but three Gagliano interceptions cost the Gold dearly. Denver is now tied with LA in the division, with next week’s clash to determine the division title.
LA 30 POR 10
LA dispatched the Portland Thunder handily to win their 9th game and tie Denver atop the division. Christian Okoye rumbled for 98 yards on the day, and Jo-Jo Townsell caught 10 for 106 and a score as the Express dominated Portland and backup QB Brent Pease.
NJ 34 ARZ 14
The Generals remain a game behind Philly and one up on the rest of the division with their win over the Wranglers. Herschel Walker was a madman with 217 yards rushing and 2 scores against a totally incapable Wrangler D. Add in 2 more scores from Doug Flutie and it was a cakewalk for the Generals.
JAX 21 CHI 17
In the only game all week without playoff implications, the Bulls got their 5th win of the year by upsetting Chicago in Chicago. Chris Miller had an up and down day, throwing for 3 scores but also 2 picks, while Chuck Long threw 55 passes in the game despite never trailing by more than 10.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Pittsburgh Maulers 27 Washington Federals 30
In a battle between two Atlantic Division teams struggling for both respect and a potential Wild Card, the Federals had just enough at home to hold off the Maulers. Both now sit at 7-8, with a chance to snag the last wildcard spot with a win next week.
Pittsburgh looked good early, going up 14-0 early in the 2nd on a 4-yard Risher run, but Washington would score the next 27 points as backup Don Majkowski threw 3 scores (2 to Mark Bavaro and 1 to Craig James) and Ray Wersching added 2 kicks to flip the score to 27-14 Washington after 3.
Pittsburgh regained their composure in the 4th, scoring on 2 consecutive drives to pull to 27-20. The last Ray Wersching field goal gave Washington the 10-point lead, and, though they could not stop Pittsburgh from scoring one last time, the Danny Buggs TD with only 31 seconds left did not leave the Maulers with time to mount another drive, and they fell by 3 to the Federals.
And so, now both Pittsburgh and Washington are tied with Baltimore (and Orlando in the Southern Division), with very likely only 1 playoff spot left to be won.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK
We have to give this to Herschel Walker, right? 217 yards and 2 scores in a must-win inter-divisional game is exactly what the Generals needed. New Jersey has looked like a potential championship contender some weeks and an absolute pretender on others, and while Walker’s week-to-week performance is usually not the reason for the ups and downs of the team, when he is on, like he was this week, the Generals’ offense becomes very tough to stop. Walker sucks in backers and safeties, allows Flutie to bootleg and find open receivers with ease, and it allows the defense time to rest by soaking up the time of possession. Walker was the USFL’s first big star, and he remains a pivotal figure for the league to this day. As he goes, so will go the Generals, and right now he looks healthy, powerful, and dangerous.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
We can finally say that we have a sense of what is happening, and with only 1 week left to play, that is pretty amazing. Here is what we know:
WEST
EAST
Philly, Birmingham and Memphis are in.
New Jersey is in with a win.
Pittsburgh, Washington, Baltimore, and Orlando are fighting for 1 Wild Card spot.
Baltimore needs the most help, because their division record is the worst of the 3 Atlantic 7-8 teams.
Orlando still has a shot with a win, depending on who else wins, as head-to-head may determine this.
Out: Portland, Chicago, Jacksonville, Tampa, Oakland.
NEWS & NOTES
Next week means a lot for the teams who can win a playoff spot, but it could also mean major changes for those who may fall short. We all expect that next week’s game will be Lindy Infante’s last as coach of the Bulls, but it could also be the end of a long run for several other coaches. There are rumors that Marv Levy is prepared to step down if he cannot guide Baltimore to a playoff spot. Jim Stanley has publicly mentioned possible retirement after leading Michigan to 2 championships, and even the seemingly secure position of Tampa’s Steve Spurrier may be in doubt after next week. Frank Kush is also on the hot seat as his 4 years in Arizona have proven less than inspiring.
And, with the NFL returning from a rough year of arbitration and union woes, there is also a very good chance that as soon as the season ends the poaching of USFL Free Agents will begin. Among those whose contracts expire this year are some major USFL stars, including the following:
QB: S. Young (LA), M. Kelley (MEM), J. Trudeau (MGN)
HB: T. Spencer (BAL), H. Sydney (DEN), J. Williams (MGN), D. Hilliard (NOR), K. Byars (NJ), K. Bryant (PHI)
TE: T. Christiansen (LA), R. Chester (OAK),
WR: L. Lipps (ARZ), L. Jones (NJ), H. Ellard (OAK), J. Walters (WSH)
OL: M. Tracy (HOU), M. Baab (NJ), T. Ponder (PIT), M. Behning (TBY)
DL: R. White (MEM), W. Fuller (PHI), D, Butz (TEX)
LB: K. Greene (BIR), C. Bratton (JAX), C. Banks (LA), J. Offerdahl (NJ), P. Choate (POR),
DB: D. Martin (DEN), J. Restic (NOR), T. Bowles (PHI), L. Lyles (WSH)
INJURY REPORT
Just what no one wants to see, some big injuries right as teams prep for the playoffs. Birmingham has lost DE Art Still for the rest of the season and postseason with a torn ACL, a devastating blow. Washington, who had hoped to return Neil Lomax in as the starter, will play the rest of the year with Don Majkowski under center as Lomax’s hip has proven to be a much bigger concern than originally thought. Arizona will play again without LB Brian Noble, whose ribs are not yet healed, while Arizona loses another LB as Stan White hyperextended his knee. Jim Kelly is listed as probable for the season finale, but may rest as the game has no bearing on Houston’s #3 seed. Some players returning to action for the pivotal final week include Arizona TE Terry Orr, Denver FS Vencie Glenn, Orlando LB Tim Green, and New Orleans DE Jerry Reese.
LOOKING AHEAD
It all comes down to this. Every game but one has playoff-altering potential. The one exception is New Orleans @ Chicago, which has no impact on positioning. Denver hosting LA is the most obvious win & in game, with the winner taking the Pacific title and the loser hoping to get the breaks needed to be a Wild Card.
Unlike most years where there are teams feeling good and resting players, that is not the case in almost every case. Pittsburgh faces New Jersey, hoping to get a playoff spot for the first time, while the Generals could still catch Philly. The Stars host Washington, who also need a win to make the playoffs. Orlando hopes to get in with a win over Jacksonville and losses among the Maulers, Federals and Blitz. Baltimore, meanwhile, is out of division, hosting a Texas squad who now need a win to hold off the Panthers.
Michigan is at Houston and may be hoping that the Gamblers continue to rest the dinged-up Jim Kelly. Birmingham and Memphis are both hoping for a win and for the other to lose, so that one can wrap up the Southern Division. Memphis hosts Tampa while Birmingham hosts the 2-13 Portland Thunder. Finally, Arizona has slim playoff hopes, but must defeat the streaking Oakland Invaders and get help. So much to play for, so many big games. Should be another great week of USFL action.
Steve Spurrier can not leave the USFL. The league needs the ol' ball coach.