PIT 17 BAL 13
Many picked this as the 1 game on Baltimore’s schedule where they could play spoiler and break their winless streak, but Pittsburgh is still in a playoff hunt and they were having none of it. The Mauler defense was effective against Eric Kramer and Jeff Hostetler connected on 2 touchdown passes to ensure that the Blitz remained winless and the Maulers remained viable for a playoff berth.
ORL 21 BIR 14
This was one that Birmingham thought they might get, especially with Reggie Collier out, but Orlando got enough from Jimmie Jordan (23 of 35, 212 yards, 2 scores) and their defense to hold off the Stallions, despite another strong day from Joe Cribbs (as always, it seems). John Jefferson caught both TDs but the hero of the game was on the Orlando D, where Mike Williams picked off Cliff Stoudt in the 3rd quarter, running the ball back for what would be the winning score.
TBY 24 JAX 27
Tampa’s defense played better in this one, after several horrendous weeks, but it was not enough as the Bulls got 135 yards and a score from Brian Blades, 4 FG from Pete Stoyanovich, and a rumbling, bumbling fumble return TD from Charles Bratton to edge the Bandits in the Gator Bowl.
DEN 16 ARZ 13
Denver’s late season success continues as they win their 4th in a row by knocking off Arizona in Tempe. Three backs combined for 106 yards for Denver and Vince Evans threw for 224 as the Gold defense again kept their opponents below 20 points. Lionel James returned to action for Arizona, but his 56 yards were not enough to power the Wranglers to a win. The defending conference champs are destined now for a 10 loss season.
POR 13 OAK 36
This one was not close as Oakland’s D had Kerwin Bell’s number, leading to a 47% completion rate and only 176 yards passing. Without Bell playing well the Thunder offense sputtered, while Oakland had a balanced attack with Gale Gilbert throwing for 232 and Richard Williams running for 120. Gilbert got nearly all the scores, throwing for 4 TD’s including 2 to TE Wyatt Henderson as Oakland locks up the Pacific Title for the first time since 1986.
HOU 14 CHI 17
Chicago played spoiler, doing just enough at home to upset the Ganblers. Houston locked up a Wild Card even with the loss, but this has to hurt their confidence as they prep for the playoffs. Jim Kelly was efficient (70.6% completions and 2 scores) but the Gamblers could not find big plays against a solid Chicago shell on defense. They led 14-3 at one point, but Chicago rallied thanks to a Michael Haynes 42-yard punt return TD that changed momentum and gave Chicago the impetus to score 11 minutes later on a Long to Boso TD to seal the upset win.
TEX 3 NOR 29
We have been saying all year that these are not the same ol’ Breakers. Once again the New Orleans defense came in firing on all cylinders and just hog-tied the Outlaws. Kelly Stouffer completed only 31% of his passes and threw 3 interceptions to the swarming Breaker secondary. Gene Atkins was the big hero, snagging two Stouffer passes and shutting down hopeful drives. On offense, rookie Ericc Pegram surprised the Outlaws. Getting his first major action in weeks, Pegram’s 5 carries for 57 yards helped boost the Breaker run game. The win brings New Orleans within range to possibly surpass Texas for the division title (see playoff section below).
MEM 34 MGN 23
This Michigan loss, their sixth in a row, ended any faint hopes for a turnaround and wild card shot. The Panthers have been having trouble with nearly every aspect of their game. Jack Trudeau completed less than 50% of his throws, Vince Workman rushed well, for 101 yards, but missed on 2 key 3rd down runs. The defense had trouble shutting down a very mediocre Mike Kelley, allowing him 3 TD passes on the day, two to Jo-Jo Townsell. All in all this has been a season both clubs want to forget, but at least Memphis can say that they have won 3 of the last 4 down the stretch. Not sure what Michigan coach Jim Stanley can say about his squad this year.
PHI 10 LA 15
Speaking of teams that want to forget this season, what started out well for the Philadelphia Stars has simply wilted and died on the vine. At least this week Chuck Fusina did not add to his interception total. But, that aside, there was little to celebrate for either club in this game. Dan McGwire threw for 277 but did throw 2 interceptions and no TDs. Neither team showed much on offense, and both looked ready for the season to be over. The loss guarantees that the Stars will miss the playoffs for only the 2nd time in their 9 years in the league. For LA, there is one game left at Angel Stadium before the club starts packing up and planning for their move to St. Louis.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS 9 NEW JERSEY GENERALS 20
While it was not the most dramatic game of the year, this one featured two division rivals, one on a 6 game win streak, the other the defending league champion, battling for 1st place in their division and a week of rest before they begin the playoffs. When New Jersey started the season 2-6, we don’t think anyone picked them to turn it around so dramatically. This win against the Federals not only was their 7th in a row, but it helped them leapfrog the Federals into first place in the division, with a chance to lock up the Atlantic title and a bye week with a win next week against the Stars.
The game was tight throughout, particularly in the first half, which ended with NJ clinging to a 7-6 lead. The Generals defense again came to play, limiting Washington to only 200 total yards, with the combo of Barry Word and Kevin Harmon, who have been as dangerous as any one-back in the league this year, to a mere 73 yards rushing. Don Majkowski did not fare much better, throwing for only 125, with no scores.
On offense, New Jersey got another bellcow game from Herschel Walker, rushing for 99 yards on 24 carries. Heath Sherman chipped in another 34 as the Generals aimed to control the tempo of the game with their run game. Using a lot of play action, Chris Miller completed 62% of his passes and connected with Lam Jones 5 times for 101 yards and both General touchdowns.
While the win will only add fire to the Flutie vs. Miller battle, it certainly keeps the fans in the Tri-State Area enthusiastic about the Generals. The Generals, now 9-6, have locked up a playoff berth and can win the division next week in Philadelphia. For Washington, they now need the Stars help to regain the division they have led all year long. They face the Baltimore Blitz next week, so you have to expect they will get the W, but they need a Philly upset of New Jersey to jump back on top.
This week’s POTW is Lam Jones, whose 101 yard day and 2 scores helped New Jersey win the pivotal game against Washington. Jones forms part of New Jersey’s 3-headed receiving corps, along with J.J. Birden and Scott Schwedes. Each has their own role to play, with Schwedes being the designated possession guy (109 targets leads the team), Birden as the go-to mid range guy, and Jones as the deep threat.
The three remain incredibly even in distribution, with both Birden and Jones having 61 receptions each, and Schwedes only 8 receptions behind. Yardage wise it is all on Jones, whose 1,069 clearly outpaces Birden’s 786 or Schwedes’ 609. Jones also surpasses both Birden and Schwedes in TDs, with 9 to the 5 of both of his teammates. This week’s performance was classic Lam Jones as well, as within his 5 receptions we saw a 46-yard touchdown on a straight fly pattern and a 32-yard score on a nicely run out and up route to fool the cornerback. It seems not to matter whether it is Flutie or Miller under center, as the plan of using the three receivers in three different roles seems to be working for the Generals. And, of course, if you opt to move to a nickel or dime defense to contain this, there is always Herschel Walker to mess with your head.
As expected, this weekend cleared up the playoff picture considerably. Oakland’s win at home vs. Portland locked up the Pacific Division title and a bye for the Invaders. In fact, all 5 slots in the West are now locked, with Houston and Portland locking up the last two. One big item still left to decide, however, as New Orleans can still jump over Texas for the division title. If the Breakers can beat Orlando at home, and if Texas loses in their final game against Houston, then the Breakers and not the Outlaws will get the #1 seed and the bye.
In the East, New Jersey’s win over Washington launches them into a “control your destiny” situation. Win this week and they lock up the Atlantic Division with an amazing 8-game win streak. Washington can still win the title if New Jersey falters at Philly and the Feds beat winless Baltimore. Orlando has locked up the South, and Jacksonville is in, but the final playoff spot is hanging in the balance next week. A Birmingham win and they are the last playoff team, but if they lose and the Pittsburgh Maulers win their 9th game of the year, then Pittsburgh leapfrogs the Stallions and snags the spot. Philadelphia has been eliminated due to their loss this week.
So, 1 spot left to decide, and 3 division titles still in the mix. A big week ahead around the league.
The good news for the USFL and particularly for playoff squads, is that this was a pretty good week for injuries. New Orleans lost backup tackle John Wojciechowski to a quad injury, and Oakland’s Tory Nixon may miss a few weeks with a groin injury, but most of the major players avoided the injury bug. Coming back just in time for the playoffs we should expect to see Generals’ LB Chris Spielman (pinched nerve), Texas CB Jerome Henderson (foot), Washington LB Dante Jones (shoulder), Jacksonville FS Mark Carrier (arm) and Orlando LB Winston Moss (thigh).
One week to go and some major playoff determinations to be made. Birmingham is in the playoffs if they can defeat the Tampa Bay Bandits in Tampa. If they lose, they need Oakland to beat the Maulers. Problem is that Oakland has locked up the Pacific Division and the #2 slot, so they are likely to rest starters against the Maulers, while Pittsburgh will be going full bore to get the win. New Orleans has a shot to steal the Central division title on the final week of the season, but to do so they need to defeat the Renegades and have Texas lose to Houston. The first part may be easier as Reggie Collier is still out for Orlando and they may rest several other players before their bye week as the #1 seed in the East. The Breakers have to hope that Houston really wants to finish 9-7 instead of 8-8 and does not rest their players vs. the Outlaws.
The other big games are in the Atlantic where New Jersey can lock up the division title if they can beat Philadelphia in Philadelphia. The Stars are likely to view this game as their version of the Summer Bowl, so don’t expect them to roll over in this one. Washington is home against the winless Blitz, and they are not going to make it easy for Baltimore to avoid the shame of an 0-16 season. Expect all the Washington starters to play as they still have a chance at the division title and the bye.
In other games, Jacksonville and Memphis will play in the Liberty Bowl, but don’t expect to see Tony Eason. Chicago plays Michigan with only pride on the line. Arizona is in LA with a similar situation. Expect another tiny crowd and another loud protest group outside as fans are still fuming about the sale and relocation of the team. Finally, Denver is in Portland. The Thunder are locked into a playoff spot but may want to play their starters to be able to host the Wild Card game instead of possibly heading to Houston in a week.