2019 USFL Week 2 Recap: Early to Rise

Two weeks in, and with exactly half of the league sitting at 1-1, early season parity is certainly in effect. There are certainly some clubs looking like they are at midseason form, including the 2-0 Showboats, Gamblers, Thunder, Panthers, and Wranglers. There are also a few surprises at 2-0, including the Dallas Roughnecks and the Charlotte Monarchs. On the flip side, many are surprised to see New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Washington all sitting at 0-2 after the first two games of their seasons. Likewise, few in Atlanta are happy this week after the Fire drop another game and, even worse, lose their QB for at least 2 weeks. It is far too early to tell how this season will end up, but for the clubs now at 0-2, the time will be now to turn things around. We are going to review all 14 games from the week, cover the early season stories, and give you a quick look at some rookies already locked into starting gigs across the league, but we start it all off with five early season success stories.

Five Early Season Success Stories

It does not take long for teams to establish what they do well, and we have found 5 teams who are looking very good in at least one area of their game after only 2 weeks. Yes, a lot can change between now and June, but right now these five stories are worth talking about as the USFL gets into their seasonal groove.

Late Game Drama for Dallas

It is not exactly a strategy, nor is it a classic example of a team strength, but what the Roughnecks have shown us this year is that they are not afraid to take a game to the wire, and that when it is on the line, they can step up. In Week 1 it meant putting 15 points up in the final 10 minutes of action to turn a 17-6 deficit into a 21-17 victory. This week it meant going to overtime to get the victory at home over Oklahoma, a feat that required a late field goal and some stalwart defense. Some might say that Dallas is doing it with smoke and mirrors, but we think they are doing it with persistence and intestinal fortitude, two traits that can take a team pretty far.

The Michigan Defense

As much as we like a team with spunk, nothing really beats a dominant defense, and that is what Michigan has shown us in two games. The Panther D currently ranks 1^st in scoring, allowing only 8.5 points per game after holding Ohio to 1 lone score and then limiting Washington to 10 points. Their shut-down defense has allowed them to build up a 61-17 advantage in scoring after two weeks. It also has them sitting at 2-0, though some credit should also go to an offense that put up over 300 yards rushing this week, including an impressive 215 from perennial OPOTY candidate LeVeon Bell.

The Tampa Bay Passing Game

We told you before the season started that the Bandits might have to win shootouts if they wanted to win at all, and so far this year that Bandit offense is doing their part. The Bandits put up 30 in a season-opening win in Las Vegas and another 30 this week against the defending league champion Gamblers. It was not enough this week as the Gamblers had 35 points of their own, but you cannot blame the offense for that. So, what is working so well for the Bandit offense? It’s all about the passing game, the top-ranked attack in the league, averaging over 350 yards per game, with Dak Prescott nearly 200 yards ahead of the 2^nd leading passer in yards. Prescott has over 700 yards passing in 2 weeks, and he is mixing it up, with TE Jordan Cameron leading the team in receptions, Ryan Grant leading in yards, and Dez Bryant already in the groove. Add to this 2 touchdowns to backup TE Ryan Izzo, another to HB Dalvin Cook, and two long completions to rookie Deebo Samuel already, and the return of Bandit Ball my finally be in effect.

Chicago’s Aggressive 4th Down Play

It won’t show up in any of the main statistical lists, where Chicago is ranked 20^th in points and 22^nd in yards per game, but there is one thing the Machine is doing well, and often. They are converting on 4^th down. Coach Lovie Smith has apparently decided that punting is overrated, and has been willing to mix it up with more 4^th down attempts than any other team (by quite a bit). In just two games, the Machine have attempted 8 conversions on 4^th down, and have picked up 7 of them. At that clip maybe it does make sense to leave punter Marquette King on the sideline.

San Diego’s Zone Run Scheme

Ask Ryan Williams about his 228 rushing yards over 2 games, or about San Diego’s 149.5 YPG average on the ground and he will tell you exactly where the credit lies, with the line. San Diego is using a complex zone-read run blocking scheme that has guards Spencer Long and Mackenzie Bernadeu, center Hroniss Grasu, and tackles Jack Conklin and Antonio Garcia pulling more often than a taffy factory. Inside runs, outside runs, it does not matter, the Thunder are bringing linemen from all across the line into the play. They are also using 2^nd TE Isaac Nauta as a de facto 3^rd tackle, with the big man taking out strongside linebackers on a regular basis. It is working, San Diego is 2-0 and the run game is among the best in the league, and until someone figures out how to counter it, this run blocking strategy will continue to be the reason why.

OAKLAND INVADERS 27  NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 33  OVERTIME

After a rough Week 1 road trip to Seattle, the New Orleans Breakers were set for their home opener at the Super Dome, but facing the Oakland Invaders, a defense that had shut out LA in Week 1, they knew they would be tested. It would be the first start in the USFL for former New York Jet and Giant QB Geno Smith, a first chance to impress the new home fans and put his NFL issues behind him.

With 289 yards passing, 3 touchdowns and an overtime victory over the defending Pacific Division champs, it looks like Geno made the first impression he and Coach Lathon were counting on. In a game that likely has New Orleans defenders feeling a bit shellshocked, Oakland put up 401 yards of offense and scored the only points of the 4^th quarter to send the game to overtime, but in the extra period, the Breakers’ new quarterback showed exactly why the team brought him in from the cold. He completed 3 of 3 on the drive, including the game winner, a 17-yard strike to Kenny Britt to get New Orleans the home victory.

In a game that saw 45 of the game’s 60 points scored in the first half, Geno and the Breakers started fast, taking the opening kickoff down the field 77 yards and putting up 7 points on a Smith to Jordy Nelson fade route from the 11. The Breakers had done in less than 5 minutes what the Express had failed to do against the Invaders in their entire Week 1 game, put points on the scoreboard. But Oakland also looked good in their first drive, With Christian McCaffrey rushing for 27 yards on the opening drive before Jimmy Garoppolo called his own number, rushing in from the 3 on a nice bootleg fake.

And while the first quarter saw both teams put up points, it would be the 2^nd quarter when both offenses shone the brightest. Oakland would put up 14 points, both scores coming from McCaffrey, while New Orleans would add 17 points, thanks in part to a pick-6 of Garoppolo on a poorly timed throw that fell to FS Clyde Adams, the first of two picks he would record on the day. The Breakers also got a huge play from the combo of Smith and Nelson, as a hook & go turned into an 85-yard touchdown strike as Smith showed he still had a gun for an arm, and the Breaker line kept him safe and sound in the pocket. That play, more than any other, got the fans to their feet and got some buzz going about the man New Orleans had signed just 3 weeks ago, much to the chagrin of many Breaker fans, who had hoped for either Ryan Nassib or Kyler Murray.

Smith had an outstanding first half, as had the Invader offense, but both of these clubs are defensive-minded teams and both DCs spent halftime making adjustments to try to stem the tide of big scores. The adjustments worked, with the second half producing only 3 field goals in total. The first gave New Orleans a 6-point lead at 27-21, but in the 4^th quarter, the Invaders got two kicks from Roberto Aguayo, enough to even the game at 27 at the end of regulation. The second half also saw 4 turnovers as Geno Smith struggled to compensate for increased pressure from the Oakland front seven. He would throw 2 picks in the half, one turning into Oakland’s first field goal of the half. Jimmy G would not fare much better, throwing a second pick to Adams and also fumbling twice due to defensive pressure. He was fortunate that both fumbles were recovered by his teammates, producing no more turnovers, but it was still a frustration for the Invader QB.

With the game tied up by Oakland in the final 30 seconds of action, New Orleans took a knee and went to overtime. In the extra period, the Breakers would win the toss and ask for the ball. But the Invader D was ready and in only 7 plays they would force the Breakers to punt the ball away. But Garoppolo and the Invader offense also struggled in overtime, with Christian McCaffrey bottled up, and the passing game unable to convert on a 3^rd and 8. New Orleans would get the ball back with 6 minutes left in the extra period.

Needing only a field goal to take the W, the Breakers took the field for the second time in the extra period. They got off to a quick start with Geno hitting Coby Fleener for his 7^th catch on the day, a 9-yarder that set up an easy 2^nd and 1 for HB Leonard Fournette. Smith then found rookie Dawson Knox on a nice 12-yard gainer. In just a few plays they had crossed midfield, and Oakland was forced to defend the 30 yard line as if it were the endzone, not wanting to give kicker Caleb Sturgis a shot at a makeable field goal.

That strategy backfired as a nice double move route from Jordy Nelson got him in position to make a 25-yard catch and set New Orleans up well within range for Sturgis. But with it being only 1^st down, the Breakers wanted to get closer. Coach Lathon called a bootleg for Smith, and the call worked to perfection, with the linebackers crashing towards Fournette, Smith escaped with the ball, found Kenny Britt and 17-yards later, the Breakers had the winning score, and the Breaker crowd went home a lot more confident in the team’s plan for success than when they showed up for the game earlier that day. Both clubs would leave the stadium at 1-1, but New Orleans came out feeling they may have just shown that they were not going anywhere, and would again be a big part of the Southern Division.

WASHINGTON 10  MICHIGAN 27

If I am a defender on the Federals I am not going to want to be there for the film review, because Michigan put up 307 yards rushing and made it look easy. 2018 OPOTY LeVeon Bell rushed 25 times for 215 yards and 2 scores and rookie Alexander Mattison chipped in another 92 yards as the Panthers just manhandled the Washington front 7. Kirk Cousins only had to attempt 17 passes (connecting on 13) and Michigan won this one pulling away.

POTG: Panther HB LeVeon Bell: 25 Att, 215 Yds, 2 TD, 3 Rec, 19 Yds

OKLAHOMA 20   DALLAS 23      OVERTIME

Another tight game, another comeback win for the Roughnecks and another tough loss for the Outlaws as Dallas got the game-tying field goal late in the 4^th and then added the game winner in overtime to move to 2-0 on the season and in the division. Dallas survived 3 Josh Freeman picks, thanks in part to 2 picks by Joe Flacco in a sloppy offensive game. Oklahoma had a good game from Marshawn Lynch (126 yards and TD), but it was not enough as Chandler Catanzaro hit from 40 to send the game to extra time and then connected for the game winner.

POTG: Roughneck CB Patrick Peterson: 5 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD

PITTSBURGH 44   JACKSONVILLE 26

Last week the Bulls surprised us all with an offensive explosion. This week it was Pittsburgh’s turn as the Mauler offense put up 410 yards of offense and 44 points. Adam Thielen and Jarvis Landry combined for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns, Sony Michel had a huge day with 119 yards, including a 46-yard TD scamper, and the Maulers put up 20 unanswered in the 2^nd quarter to take a commanding 30-9 lead they would never relinquish.

POTG: Pittsburgh WR Adam Thielen: 7 Rec, 92 Yds, 2 TD

LOS ANGELES 20  CHICAGO 10

Sam Bradford was held out of this matchup with his former club, and Trevor Siemian simply did not have the stuff against an Express defense that played solidly. The Express D held Chicago under 100 yards rushing and rookie Kyler Murray had his first pro touchdowns, hitting both Nelson Agholor and Marques Valdez-Scantling for scores as the Express doubled up the Machine for their first win on the year.

POTG: Express CB Stephon Gilmore: 5 Tck, 1 FF, 1 FR

ARIZONA 27  PORTLAND 7

The wet weather proved to be no concern for the Wranglers, who got 2 touchdowns from former Mauler WR Victor Cruz and “cruzed” to victory over the Stags. Isaiah Crowell added another touchdown and the Wranglers got their first look at Calais Campbell in midseason form as the big man recorded 3 sacks on Marcus Mariota, three of six he would suffer on the day.

POTG: Arizona DE Calais Campbell: 6 Tck, 3 Sck

ST. LOUIS 10  OHIO 15

The Glory offense continues to struggle to find itself, but the D came through to give Ohio a win at home. St. Louis racked up 410 yards of offense but only one lone TD, while Ohio got all their scoring from kicker Robbie Gould. Eddie Lacy looked very good with 123 yards rushing, while Lamar Jackson had a ball picked off in the endzone that could have won it for the Skyhawks. Christian Hackenberg completed 18 of 25 passing but every time the Glory got into scoring range they got held up and had to go for the kick.

POTG: Ohio kicker Robbie Gould: 5 for 5 on FG.

SEATTLE 17   SAN DIEGO 27

Christian Ponder threw for 3 scores and Ryan Williams put up an impressive 181 yards rushing to lead San Diego to a 2-0 start. The Dragon defense just could not keep Williams contained, and while the Dragons also moved the ball effectively, with Jacoby Brissett throwing for 381 yards on 32 of 54 passing, they just could not turn those yards into points.

POTG: Thunder HB Ryan Williams: 14 Att, 181 Yds

NEW JERSEY 12   BALTIMORE 28

With Nick Foles held out due to an injury concern, the Generals’ offense withered, and Baltimore took the divisional win. Josh Jacobs rushed for 85 yards and Big Ben found both C. J. Uzomah and Denarious Moore for scores as the Blitz put 7 on the board in every quarter. Muhamed Sanu played well for New Jersey, with 5 catches, 119 yards, and a score, but it was not enough as the favorite to win the division drops to 0-2.

POTG: Baltimore HB Kerwynn Williams; 6 Att, 40 Yds, 2 TD

CHARLOTTE 19   PHILADELPHIA 10

Mitch Trubisky becomes the next QB pulled from a game after a big hit, and Tyler Thigpen holds on to get the W as the Monarchs shut down the Philadelphia offense. The Monarchs picked off Matt Gutierrez 3 times and sacked him 5 times as well, all the while limiting Derrick Henry to 29 total yards rushing in a display of aggressive defense with precision tackling.

POTG: Charlotte safety Tre Boston: 1 Tck, 4 PDef, 2 Int

TAMPA BAY 30  HOUSTON 35

Another 300-yard effort from Dak Prescott, but it was not enough as Colt McCoy and Carlos Hyde ran roughshod through the Tampa Defense. Hyde finished with 128 yards and 2 scores, while McCoy passed for 337 and 2 scores as well. All that offset a 100-yard game from Dalvin Cook and 347 from Dak Prescott, who threw for 4 TDs in a losing cause.

POTG: Gambler HB Carlos Hyde: 19 Att, 128 Yds, 2 TD, 3 Rec, 42 Yds

ATLANTA 17  LAS VEGAS 38

Matt McGloin made the most of his debut in Wynn Arena, completing 19 of 22 for 244 yards and throwing touchdowns to 4 different receivers as the Vipers showed up the Atlanta defense to win their home opener. Atlanta went through 3 quarterbacks in the game as both Aaron Murray and Deshone Kizer had to be taken to the locker room after tough takedowns. Meanwhile, Aaron Dobson scored his first Viper TD and Viper free safety Antrel Rolle came away with 2 picks on the day.

POTG: Viper QB Matt McGloin: 19/22, 244 Yds, 4 TD, 0 Int

ORLANDO 19   DENVER 31

Another case of a new QB playing for the home crowd for the first time as Denver’s Josh Allen went 16 of 23 for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns. He did throw a couple of picks, including one very poor decision to throw in coverage, but the Gold dominated as Allen connected with TE Jack Doyle twice, and also threw TDs to both of his halfbacks. Murray and Lindsay also combined for 132 yards rushing as the Gold looked very solid in their home opener.

POTG: Gold QB Josh Allen: 16/23, 311 Yds, 4 TD, 2 Int

MEMPHIS 27   BIRMINGHAM 7

The Sunday night game, after a beautiful afternoon of pulled pork and ribs, was not quite as nice for the Stallion fans on hand. Memphis built up a 21-0 halftime lead thanks to 2 Lynch TD passes to Devin Funchess and Cordarelle Patterson and a Todd Gurley TD. Gurley finished the day with 18 carries for 79 yards, and Memphis ran for a combined 154 yards against their rivals. Cam Newton was again the leading rusher for the Stallions, with 67 yards and a TD, but it was far too little offense from Birmingham on the whole.

POTG: Memphis HB Todd Gurley: 18 Att, 79 Yds, 1 TD, 2 Rec, 25 Yds

Panthers Run Roughshod Over Federals’ D

It is never a good sign when a defense gives up 200 yards to a team’s lead back. It is even worse when the backup gets another 92 in only 7 carries. That was the tally when the Panthers hosted Washington and simply ran over, around, and through the Federals’ defense. LeVeon Bell averaged a nasty 8.6 yards per carry, but even he had to be stunned by Alexander Mattison’s 92 yards and 13.1 YPC average. The Panthers ran the ball only 32 times, but gained over 300 yards in a game where Kirk Cousins was little more than an observer, putting the ball up only 17 times on the day.

Michigan was earnest this offseason about reclaiming the Central Division, and after knocking off their top rival, Ohio, by 27 points in their home opener, this week’s win over Washington showed that they are well-stocked to run their way back towards a division title, if not more. They head to Dallas for their first road game this week, and while the 2-0 Roughnecks have also been a fun story early in the season, the Panther run game will certainly be a huge test for Dallas, and for their new MLB, Clay Matthews.

Houston’s Big Guns Too Much for Bandits

In a very high-spirited, high-flying game, the Bandits and Gamblers traded big plays this week, with Houston coming out on top 35-30, thanks in large part to their biggest stars. QB Colt McCoy threw for 337, including 2 scoring throws. Mike Evans blew the doors off the Tampa secondary, gaining 190 yards on only 7 catches, including a 61-yard catch that many Houston fans still insist was a TD (he was ruled out of bounds at the 2). Oh, and then there is Carlos Hyde, a quiet day for him, rushing for 128 and 2 scores. Tampa Bay was game, and certainly put up some big plays of their own, but when the defending champs have their offense in fifth gear, like they did this week, there are few teams that can keep up with them.

Josh Allen A Mile High in Denver

After a heartbreaking season opener in Dallas, 2^nd year QB Josh Allen and the Denver Gold came home to the newly redubbed Sports Authority Field (we still call it Mile High, or New Mile High), and made sure not to let history repeat itself. The former Wyoming QB introduced himself to Denver fans in a pretty spectacular way, throwing for 311 yards and 4 TDs. Yes, he did have two picks on the day, but one was far more the fault of his receiver than his throw, and with a 12 point win in hand, it was a clear case of no harm, no foul.

Allen distributed the ball well, hung in the pocket against decent pressure from Orlando (4 sacks), and found his receivers effectively. Despite primarily targeting Golden Tate and Michael Crabtree, when points were on the line, Allen moved his eyes off his primary receivers and found the open man. Twice that open man was blocking TE Jack Doyle, who finished the day with 3 catches but 2 touchdowns. Starter T. J. Hockenson also saw the ball, as did both halfbacks, with Phillip Lindsay bringing in a 33-yard catch and run and DeMarco Murray catching two balls for 32 yards and a score. Coach Hufnagel has to be happy the way his team rebounded and Denver fans have to be happy to see their 2^nd year QB, who did not start at all as a rookie, looking like his year of observing and learning has paid off.

McGloin Rebounds With Big Game in Vegas Home Opener

After a tough 30-23 loss in Tampa Bay, Matt McGloin also rebounded with a nice performance in his home opener as the new QB of the Las Vegas Vipers. McGloin, who did not play badly in Tampa (26 of 38 for 274 yards, 2 TD and 1 pick), was at another level this week at home against Atlanta. The former Seattle backup had more touchdowns (4) than incompletions (3) on the day, going 19 of 22 for 244 yards and 4 scoring tosses. Four different receivers caught scoring tosses from the new Viper QB, including a 48-yard strike to Arrelious Benn and an even nicer 60-yarder to Aaron Dobson, a player known for making catches underneath, not taking them to the house. In addition to the 4 TD tosses, a late 1-yard run gave McGloin a fifth TD on the day, accounting in one way or another for 30 of the Viper’s 38 points. Not a bad debut at home in the Wynn Arena.

Campbell Nabs 3 Sacks in Arizona’s Route of Portland

Quarterbacks were not the only ones having a good week 2. Calais Campbell feasted on the Portland Stags as the Wranglers moved to 2-0 with a 20-point victory on the road. Campbell, who had been held to only 1 sack in the opener against Oklahoma, found Portland QB Marcus Mariota 3 times in this week’s game, also recording 6 tackles against the run-dominant Stag offense. The 3-sack day helped propel Campbell atop the Sack Leaderboard, a location he is well-accustomed to and one he rarely leaves once he gets there. With the Wranglers headed home to State Farm Stadium (another recently renamed facility) this week, when Arizona takes on arch-rival Denver and their young QB, Josh Allen, Campbell will finally have a chance to impress his newest fans live and in-person.

Aaron Murray to Miss 2-4 Weeks After Fracture

Week Two was kind to many QBs across the league, but Atlanta’s Aaron Murray was not one of them. Murray was having a tough game against the Vipers, throwing 2 picks, sacked 3 times, and trailing 31-17 early in the 4^th, when his week got a lot worse. In the middle of a fierce rush from Las Vegas DE Mario Addison, Murray stood in the pocket, and just got a pass off before Addison reached him, but in his follow through, Murray’s arm crashed into the crown of Addison’s helmet, and after falling to the ground with Addison’s glancing hit, Murray got up slowly, holding his arm in his non-throwing hand. He would be taken to the locker room and then to the X-Ray machine. The results were what both he and Coach Arians feared, a fracture in the Ulna, one of the two bones that make up the lower arm. It was not a displacement, and there appeared to be no chips, so the bone should heal in relatively short order, but the diagnosis likely means that Murray will miss at least 3 weeks, possibly as many as 5 or 6.

Things were not much better for his understudy as Deshone Kizer lasted only 7 plays from scrimmage before he had to come out of the game after having his head hit the Wynn Arena turf on a sack by Matthew Judon. Undrafted free agent and emergency QB Derek Black, out of Furman, was forced into action and finished out the final possession for the Fire. While Kizer is back in practice after clearing the league’s concussion protocol, and likely will start the next handful of games, for Murray the next few weeks will be filled with treatments, MD visits and PT as he hopes to get back in action as soon as possible.

While the obvious big blow came for the Express, who will be without DT Chris Jones for at least 2 months, what we saw this week was a widespread rash of frustrating minor injuries, the kind of injury report we expect to see in Weeks 12-16, when wear and tear just lead to pulls, inflammation, and tired bones. No real easy answer as to why these kinds of injuries are appearing now. Some perhaps can be attributed to players still not being in midseason form yet, but a lot of injuries that just seem quirky, including the toe “stub” which could keep Mitch Trubisky out of action for Charlotte.

OUT

DT         Chris Jones                LA          Achilles Tendon    8-12 Weeks

QB         Aaron Murray               ATL         Arm                          2-4 Weeks

DE          Ezekiel Ansah                 NOR      Ribs                          2-4 Weeks

CB          Chimdi Chekwa            OHI       Abdomen                2-4 Weeks

SS           Tyvon Branch                  PIT         Back                         1-2 Weeks

TE           Gavin Escobar                 JAX         Collarbone              1-2 Weeks

LB           Roquon Smith             STL         Thigh                       1-2 Weeks

G            Keleche Osamele          STL         Abdomen                 1-2 Weeks

CB          Rashaan Gaulden          MEM     Finger                      1-2 Weeks

CB          Devin McCourty              NJ           Knee                         1-2 Weeks

G            Donald Brown                 DAL       Hand                       1-2 Weeks

WR         Justin Blackmon             CHA      Hamstring                 1-2 Weeks

G            Michael Dunn                 LV           Foot                        1-2 Weeks

WR         Cody Latimer                 MGN     Neck                         1-2 Weeks

DOUBTFUL

OT          Nat Dorsey                  LV           Hamstring

WR         Brian Hartline                  BAL        Hand

FB          Greg Jones                    OKL       Hand

OT          Marcus Gilbert                NOR      Ankle

WR         Brandin Cooks               POR      Hand

QUESTIONABLE

HB         Anthony Allen               WSH     Arm

OT          Gabe Carimi                MGN     Neck

QB         Mitch Trubisky                 CHA      Toe

DT          Aaron Donald              PIT         Concussion

C             Kevin Sikes                     ARZ       Toe

CB          Derech Cox                     CHA      Hip

LB           Justin Holins                  POR      Ankle

USFL Stadium Situation on Solid Ground

It has been a while since we discussed the stadium situation around the league. Apart from the tornadoes that forced the closure of the Alamodome and the relocation of the Outlaws, we have largely been seeing stability and the occasional renovation project. The most recent new stadium, outside of Oklahoma City was in DC where the Federals and DC United football club joined forces to build a new facility called Audi Field, opened last year. So, as we look around the league, how is everyone doing when it comes to their stadium situation? Overall, pretty solid, by all accounts, but there is always room for improvement. Here is where we see each club at present, and what may be coming down the road in the next few years.

NEW FACILTIES FILLED WITH HAPPY CAMPERS

These are teams that have a pretty brand new facility and are in good shape with a contract that provides ample revenue from concessions, parking, and other stadium revenue generators. In other words, it may be a while before any of these teams start talking about renovation or a new facility.

ATLANTA

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (2017)

Capacity: 79,330

A bright, shiny and new convertible dome stadium. The only potential here is overcrowding as the Fire share the stadium with the NFL Falcons and MLS Atlanta United.

BIRMINGHAM

Protective Stadium (2018)

Capacity: 60,035

One of the smaller stadiums in the league, but really an ideal size for the Stallions, who can sell out 60,000 from time to time.

LAS VEGAS

Wynn Arena (2015)

Capacity: 65,022

Home to Summer Bowl 2019, the new domed facility in Las Vegas means the Vipers will not have any horrible 100-degree games like the former Thunder did at Sam Boyd.

OKLAHOMA

OGE Energy Stadium (2015)

Capacity: 64,077

A stadium designed almost exclusively to lure a USFL team to the Sooner State, OGE Energy Stadium is about as solid a situation as any team could ask for, including no other permanent tenants, only the occasional tractor pull, rodeo, or monster truck event.

SAN DIEGO

Snapdragon Stadium (2016)

Capacity: 58,744

The smallest stadium in the league, but honestly, it feels bigger, and 58k is often more than most USFL clubs draw, so it is not a big deal that they don’t top 60,000. Besides, open air football in San Diego is still one of the best weather options in the whole league. And try the Fish Tacos, a local favorite in the stadium.

WASHINGTON

Audi Field (2018)

Capacity: 60,122

Not a huge stadium, but a good fit for the Federals, who are just happy to get out of RFK before the whole structure collapsed on them from age. The designers did a great job of setting Audi up to be a solid 38,000 for soccer and then remove the tarps and you get another 22,000 seats for football.

FACILITIES WITH RECENT RENOVATION

These facilities range from reasonably new to surprisingly old, but recent renovation work (indicated in parentheses) means that they have updates and new features that will make fans happy.

DALLAS

Cotton Bowl Stadium (2008)

Capacity: 80,202

A bit too big for the USFL in all honesty, but it is a facility with such history and the renovations have added some modern elements that fans appreciate.

JACKSONVILLE

TIAA Bank Field (2016)

Capacity: 67,814

It has been a while since the Bulls pulled 60k to a game, but it could happen if they become a contender. The stadium itself is not exactly cutting edge, but it gets the basics right with good sight lines and solid infrastructure.

MEMPHIS

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (2015)

Capacity: 61,484

Even with the recent upgrades and additions, this still feels very much like a college stadium, with wide open sidelines, little shade on hot summer days, and pretty steep stairs. Memphis is not a market that can just throw together a $1B stadium proposal, so renovations are the best the Showboats can expect every decade or so.

NEW JERSEY

MetLife Stadium (2010)

Capacity: 82,500

One of the largest stadiums in the league (as well as the NFL), but home to 3 football teams who rarely sell it out. The advantage the Generals have is that with both the Giants and Jets calling MetLife Home you have 3 big-money franchises sharing the cost of any improvements.

ORLANDO

Camping World Stadium (2014)

Capacity: 60,219

The 2014 renovations added some much needed amenities, but still no roof or awnings to protect folks from mid-summer heat.

POST-2000 STADIA THAT MAY NEED A FACELIFT

These clubs are in stadia that are relatively recent, but beginning to show a bit of age. In some cases they could just use a bit of freshening up, in others it may eventually come down to a decision between sprucing up an aging facility or building something new, but likely not until 2030 at the earliest.

ARIZONA

State Farm Stadium (2003)

Capacity: 63,400

Phoenix needed a dome, they got one, and at the time it was cutting edge, with removable turf. It has held up well, so we don’t think we will see a push for any major upgrade for at least another decade.

DENVER

Sports Authority Field (2001)

Capacity: 76,125

Still a very nice stadium, and with the notoriously thrifty Gold involved, it may well be the Broncos who push for any major renovations. After all, it does still have their white horse standing prominently on the wall.

HOUSTON

NRG Stadium (2002)

Capacity: 72,220

A retractable roof dome is perfect for Houston. It allows some nice air during night games but can be closed when the heat or humidity get unbearable. It should be good to go for at least another 5-7 years before anything starts looking dated.

MICHIGAN

Ford Field (2002)

Capacity: 65,000

A much better stadium than the old Silverdome, though as Detroit’s economics have had some big hits, folks are less and less excited about coming downtown.

OAKLAND

Levi’s Stadium (2005)

Capacity: 68,500

The move from Oakland to Santa Clara was not popular with many Invader fans, but you cannot deny that Levi’s is a far superior facility to the old Coliseum. While it still feels weird for Oakland and the NFL 49ers to both play here, with neither changing the team name, it still works as a facility.

PHILADELPHIA

Lincoln Financial Field (2003)

Capacity: 67,594

The “Linc” is beloved compared to Veteran’s Stadium, where the turf caused more injuries than the NJ Turnpike. The Eagles and Stars play well together, and they seem committed to upgrades when needed, so we think this situation is pretty solid.

PITTSBURGH

Heinz Field (2001)

Capacity: 68,400

Not quite 20 years old yet, so we think maybe 2025 is when either the Maulers or Steelers will start asking for some upgrades. The Maulers are still pushing to host a Summer Bowl again, but that seems a bit of a non-starter, at least in the short term.

PORTLAND

Columbia Sportswear Stadium (2005)

Capacity: 60,204

Can anyone explain to me why Portland did not build a dome? No other venue sees more rain-impacted games than Portland and while the Stags are not exactly flush with cash, it has to be obvious that even adding awnings would be a good decision.

SEATTLE

CenturyLink Stadium (2002)

Capacity: 68,740

Another open air, rain-soaked stadium. Maybe the Seahawks don’t mind because September to December tends to be a bit dryer, but the Dragons rarely get through a season without 3-4 of their home games seeing major precipitation.

PRE-2000 STADIA THAT MAY NEED MAJOR WORK OR REPLACEMENT

These are the stadiums that need some work already. Will they get renovated? Who will pay? Could a team use relocation as a bargaining chip?

BALTIMORE

M&T Bank Stadium (1998)

Capacity: 70,745

It was certainly an improvement over Memorial Stadium in the late 90’s but it is beginning to feel like a bit of a dinosaur already, only 20 years later.

CHARLOTTE

Bank of America Stadium (1996)

Capacity: 74,867

Honestly, the Monarchs would do well to play in a 50,000-seat stadium because they so rarely hit 60,000 much less 70k. But, the stadium is well-located, has some nice amenities, and even if the upper rows are like climbing Everest, they rarely have many fans in them anyway.

LOS ANGELES

Farmers Insurance Field (1995)

Capacity: 68,240

A stadium built mostly for the Raiders, now home to the Chargers and Rams, and with the Express always there, but there is talk of a new facility being built to help support all three clubs. You would think that if each of the 3 could contribute funding the city would be happy to pay only 1/4^th the total cost.

TAMPA BAY:

Raymond James Stadium (1996)

Capacity: 69,218

While a game at Raymond James is still a lot of fun, even if the Bandits and Bucs are not exactly racking up titles, the issue is that the stadium is falling behind in the kind of amenities that Gen-Z and Millennials expect. It likely is not a major overhaul needed, but some spending on the fan experience would be great.

TEAMS LOBBYING FOR A NEW FACILITY

There is no doubt these clubs want a new home. They have made that perfectly clear. The problem, as always, is who pays for it.

CHICAGO

Soldier Field (2003)

Capacity: 66,944

Fans love the venerable stadium, even with its bizarre crashed-spaceship redo, but both the Machine and the Bears are beginning to think that moving out of downtown could actually increase their profitability.

NEW ORLEANS

Mercedes-Benz Superdome (2006)

Capacity: 73,208

The post-Katrina fix-up only went so far. Compared to most post-2000 domes, the Super Dome feels like a relic of the past. New Orleans needs a dome, that is certain, especially for play in June or July, but maybe something like what we see in Houston or Atlanta instead of a huge concrete tomb.

OHIO

Ohio Stadium (2014)

Capacity: 66,200

We are listing the max capacity of Ohio Stadium at 66K only because the Glory have been using tarps for years to reduce the huge size of this 100K stadium down to something manageable. Ohio is still in talks with the MLS Columbus Crew to try to get something in the 56,000-58,000 range built. That may seem small for those used to NFL stadia, but for the USFL that is right in the wheelhouse of what a team wants to see.

ST. LOUIS

The Dome at America’s Center (2010)

Capacity: 67,277

We are not sure what the renovations in 2010 really added, because games in the Dome still feel very dreary and almost claustrophobic. There is talk of a new stadium for the MLS, an outdoor stadium, and if the Skyhawks can get in on that they may be able to get a deal like the Feds have, a stadium that can seat both USFL crowds and the smaller MLS capacity. If not, then they may struggle as the Dome just gets older and older and uglier and uglier.

Week Three features the always dangerous 0-2 teams doing all they can to avoid a 0-3 start, but it also features a matchup of 2-0 clubs hoping to keep things rolling. We start on Friday with two of those 0-2 clubs looking to get that first W as New Jersey heads into Ohio hoping with no desire to drop a 3^rd straight game. Las Vegas is in Orlando, where the Renegades have been ball hawking (6 picks in 2 games) but have not been able to get their offense on track.

Saturday has a classic NE Division matchup with Baltimore headed into Washington for a Beltway Brawl that the 0-2 Feds cannot afford to lose. At 4pm it is 0-2 Oklahoma, who have been in both games but have not been able to come out on top. Will they find success with the Jacksonville Bulls coming to town. The two night games are also intriguing, with 2-0 Memphis headed up to Pittsburgh to take on the Maulers, followed by a SW Division clash as Josh Allen and the Denver Gold head down to Arizona to face the archrival Wranglers, with Calais Campbell looking to welcome Allen to the league in a way only he can.

Sunday kicks off with New Orleans at Philadelphia and Atlanta in Tampa Bay. Both the Stars and Fire feel like their seasons are teetering after only 2 weeks, and without Aaron Murray, can the Fire take advantage of what has been a pretty porous Bandit defense? At 4pm we have a good one as two 2-0 clubs, Michigan and Dallas, face off at the Cotton Bowl. Can the Roughnecks surprise us for a 3^rd straight week? We finish off the week with a California Derby as the LA Express take on the unbeaten San Diego Thunder. Expect lots of Thunder fans to make the trip up to Farmers Insurance Stadium for this one.

Friday @ 7pm ET         New Jersey (0-2) @ Ohio (1-1)                      NBC

Friday @ 9:30pm ET       Las Vegas (1-1) @ Orlando (0-2)                   ABC

Saturday @ 12pm ET     Birmingham (1-1) @ Charlotte (2-0)               ABC

Saturday @ 12pm ET       Baltimore (1-1) @ Washington (0-2)                FOX

Saturday @ 4pm ET         St. Louis (1-1) @ Chicago (1-1)                        ABC

Saturday @ 4pm ET        Jacksonville (1-1) @ Oklahoma (0-2)              FOX

Saturday @ 7pm ET        Memphis (2-0) @ Pittsburgh (1-1)                    NBC

Saturday @ 9pm ET       Denver (1-1) @ Arizona (2-0)                             ESPN/EFN

Sunday @ 12pm ET     New Orleans (1-1) @ Philadelphia (0-2)          ABC Regional

Sunday @ 12pm ET        Atlanta (0-2) @ Tampa Bay (1-1)                       ABC Regional

Sunday @ 12pm ET         Oakland (1-1) @ Seattle (1-1)                          FOX

Sunday @ 4pm ET           Michigan (2-0) @ Dallas (2-0)                            ABC

Sunday @ 4pm ET           Houston (2-0) @ Portland (0-2)                        FOX

Sunday @ 8pm ET        San Diego (2-0) @ Los Angeles (1-1)              ESPN/EFN