2020 USFL Week 4 Recap: Battle of the Unbeatens
- USFL LIVES
- Sep 28
- 29 min read
Yes, it is deeply sad that fans cannot be in the stands this season, but it is still great to have football, and this was a weekend that showed us why. From a nailbiter between two unbeatens as New Orleans and Michigan clashed, to a franchise first victory for San Antonio. There was plenty of action this week. Jacksonville earned their first win and needed overtime to do it. Baltimore and Washington had a classic defensive war of attrition. We had unbeatens also clash in the Southeast, with Tampa Bay and Atlanta going at it, and two more 3-0 clubs duked it out in Arizona as the Wranglers outlasted the Express in a game that saw both defenses dominate, including a safety scored by each. We will break down all the games, take a look at two Shaquiles on opposite sides of the fortune's coin, and run down the first big trades of the season, including a HB swap from two teams hoping to spark their offenses. All that is coming right up, but we start with our look at the 3 unbeatens and the 2 winless clubs as we cross the ¼ mark of the season.
Bandits, Breakers & Wranglers Unbowed, Stars & Skyhawks Underwhelming
At the one month, one quarter mark of this most unique USFL season we are down to three unbeatens and only two winless teams remain. A cluster of matchups featuring 3-0 squads took the total of unbeatens from six to three, with the Breakers knocking Michigan from the ranks of the unblemished, Tampa Bay defeating fellow 3-0 Southeaster Atlanta, and the Wranglers giving the LA Express their first defeat of the season. Meanwhile, on the other end of the success spectrum, it is not the two expansion clubs bringing up the rear in the league standings but the Philadelphia Stars and St. Louis Skyhawks sitting in their respective conference basements at 0-4. Here is a look at how each club got to where they are right now, whether that is flying high or circling the drain.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS
Defeated PHI, JAX, ORL, ATL. (Combined Record: 6-10)
While wins over the Stars and Bulls in the season’s first two weeks are looking very much like the early season for an SEC school playing an FCS foe and a MAC team, the “conference schedule” began in Week 3 with a solid win over Orlando, and intensified this week with the Bandits victory over Atlanta. Surprisingly, while Tampa Bay has offensive firepower, they are largely sitting at 4-0 because of the surprising quality of their defense. DeMarco Murray is on a tear, Pernell McPhee is starting off his 2nd USFL season strong, and the Bandits are looking very much like a team that can play complementary football, holding their 4 opponents to only 15.8 PPG.
Next Game Against a Contender: Week 7 vs. New Jersey
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
Defeated STL, HOU, SAN, MGN (Combined Record: 6-10)
The Breakers also have a split between “cupcakes” in their wins over the expansion Gunslingers and defensively inept St. Louis Skyhawks, but they have knocked off two of the league’s anticipated powerhouses, taking down Houston in Week 2 and Michigan in this week’s battle of unbeatens. Geno Smith is making everyone in the Crescent City forget all about their failed pursuit of LSU QB Joe Burrow, throwing for over 1,400 yards in the season’s first month, an eye-popping average of 366.5 yards per game. The Breakers may have actually landed an even better LSU prospect than Burrow in wideout Justin Jefferson. The rookie wideout is making huge catches look easy, and may be one of the best true deep ball receivers we have seen come out of the draft in years. We still want to see if the Breakers can build up their run game a bit more, but for now they just have not needed it.
Next Game Against a Contender: Week 8 v. Memphis
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
Defeated DAL, SD, OAK, LA (Combined Record: 8-8)
Without the only 1-3 team on Arizona’s early schedule the surprisingly slow-starting San Diego Thunder, the Wranglers have shown they are a legitimate threat to go back-to-back. Other than a close shave against a game Oakland squad (27-24), the Wranglers have been largely shutting the door on opposing offenses, allowing only 26 points combined in their three other victories, an average under 9 points per game. Throw in an offense that is as balanced as any in the league and you have a defending champion looking very much like there will be no post-title hangover.
Next Game Against a Contender: Week 5 v. Denver
PHILADELPHIA STARS
Lost to TBY, NJ, WSH, ORL (Combined Record 12-4)
Now, we do have to admit that the Stars’ first month schedule has been a tough one, and they lost their first 3 games by a combined 7 points, so they have been close, so there is still hope they can turn this around. They did it last year after an 0-5 start, and they may have to do so again with 3-1 Atlanta on the schedule this week. What has us worried is that teams can load up against the run, holding Derrick Henry to under 80 yards per game over the season’s first month, because they just don’t fear the pass. Will this week’s trade impact that (see below) or will Philadelphia get stuck in a situation where they are just too dependent on King Henry to be effective on offense all season long?
Next Best Chance to Win: Week 6 v. New England (1-3)
ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS
Lost to NOR, OHI, PIT, HOU (Combined Record: 10-6)
The Skyhawks have faced some tough foes, and it has shown. Averaging only 13.5 points per game while giving up 26.2 is not a good path towards earning victories. Neither is having one of the league’s worst pass defenses in a pass-happy USFL. Of course, allowing 114.2 yards per carry on the ground is not exactly stalwart either, so the Skyhawks don’t have answers on defense, that is clear. What is even more disturbing is that they don’t have an offense that matches their personnel. Coach Reich seems to be trying to fit a square peg in a round hole by having Lamar Jackson play as if he is Joe Flacco. The Skyhawks don’t face a team with a losing record again until Week 8, so the season could be all but over before they even sniff a chance for a victory.
Next Best Chance to Win: Week 8 vs. expansion San Antonio.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS 27 NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 28
Another huge matchup for the Panthers as they faced the unbeaten Breakers on Sunday night. The two unbeatens clashed in Houston in what would be a back-and-forth affair. We saw Michigan with a slight lead after 1 quarter, New Orleans take the lead at the half, Michigan build up a 10 point advantage after 3 quarters, and New Orleans roar back to win by 1 at the wire.
Kirk Cousins played well in this marquee game, completing 20 of 28 for 224 yards, 2 TDs and no picks, but the night would belong to Geno Smith and the Breaker passing game. Smith finished 23 of 38, throwing for 372 yards (189 in the final period) and throwing for 4 TDs (2 in the 4th) to garner the win. Both of his wideouts were huge in this one, with Jordy Nelson scoring 3 times and catching 7 for 148. Rookie Justin Jefferson was also impressive with 5 catches for 112 yards, with TE Dawson Knox adding Smith’s 4th TD toss.
The game was nip and tuck early, with the only 1st quarter points being a Chase McLaughlin field goal for the Panthers. It started to heat up in the 2nd quarter when Smith found Nelson for the first time, a 17-yard post-corner that gave the Breakers the lead. That lead was quickly countered by the Panthers when Kirk Cousins found his rookie wideout, Donovan Peoples-Jones on a short TD toss to go up 10-7. Only 74 seconds later New Orleans was back on top again as Smith found Nelson in single coverage down the right sideline and hit him with a perfect arcing throw that allowed him to catch the ball in stride for a 32-yard TD.
Down 14-10 at the half, Michigan came out fired up for the second half of play. Following a pick of Smith, the only real error the Breaker QB had all game, Michigan capitalized, putting together a 47-yard drive in only 6 plays, with LeVeon Bell scoring from the 4 to again put the Panthers on top. They would add to that lead in their next possession when it was Calvin Ridley who was engaged in single coverage. Kirk Cousins also found the in-stride pass for Ridley, who took it the rest of the way for a quick-strike 65-yard TD. The Panthers felt in control at the end of 3, having turned a 14-10 deficit into a 24-14 advantage.
That confidence quickly eroded as New Orleans went 77 yards in only 9 plays, with Smith hitting Justin Jefferson with a 33-yard pass and then finishing the drive with Jordy Nelson’s 3rd TD of the day, a 21-yard strike that brought the Breakers to within 3 of Michigan. On the Panther’s next possession, they held the ball for 15 plays and nearly punched it in from the 5, but a holding call moved them back and then a 3rd down sack of Cousins by Breaker DE Cameron Jordan forced a 36-yard field goal after nearly 9 minutes of possession.
That missed opportunity proved deadly for the Panthers as the Breakers received the ball with 2:48 left, down only 6. Once again New Orleans went to the air (Leonard Fournette had a paltry 23 yards rushing on the day), with Smith hitting Coby Fleener, Jefferson, and Nelson on consecutive plays to get into scoring range. As the clock ticked down, Smith found a surprising receiver, fullback Curtis Nelson, on a perfectly timed swing pass that took the ball to the 7. From there it was a short TD toss to TE Dawson Knox that gave the Breakers the 1-point lead with just 31 seconds remaining.
Michigan mounted an urgent drive to try to get in range for McLaughlin, but were stymied by an offensive PI call against Calvin Ridley on what first appeared to be a completion down to the Breaker 20. Replay confirmed the call with Ridley clearly pushing off the cornerback, and that call pushed Michigan out of field goal range, forcing a Hail Mary on the final play of the game. The play was ineffective and the Breakers escaped a clash of titans with a 1-point win and an unblemished record at 4-0.
WASHINGTON 16 BALTIMORE 14
The Federals again depend on the leg of kicker Adam Vinatieri, with the veteran securing a win with a 53-yard field goal in the final minute of action. In a game dominated by both defenses, the Federals got the late drive they needed to secure their 3rd win of the season and take a share of first place in the very contentious NE Division.
POTG: Federals’ DE Bradley Chubb: 8 Tck, 2 TFL, 1 Sck
CHICAGO 13 MEMPHIS 17
The Showboats rise to 3-1 thanks to a 4th quarter comeback that saw Memphis add two TDs to flip a 13-3 deficit into a 17-13 victory. Sparked by a Dee Alford pick of Sam Bradford, Memphis pulled to within 3 on a TD pass from Lynch to Devin Funchess with 3:32 left in the game. They followed that up with a successful onside kick and then proceeded to march down field before Lynch found his other primary target, Robert Woods, for the game winner with 31 seconds left. An epic comeback and a massive choke for the Machine.
POTG: Showboats’ QB Paxton Lynch: 29/48, 288 Yds, 2 TD, 0 Int
SAN DIEGO 7 OAKLAND 21
The Thunder offense continues to struggle, reaching the Oakland red zone only 2 times in the game and coming away with a lone TD. Oakland got 3 scores from QB Tom Brady, who connected with another new Invader, WR Jerrel Jernigan, along with a J.J. Arcega-Whitehead and a nice screen pass turned TD to Christian McCaffrey.
POTG: Oakland QB Tom Brady: 18/30, 191 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int
NEW ENGLAND 6 NEW JERSEY 20
The Generals D showed the Steamrollers no quarter as they held New England to only 2 field goals on the day. Backup QB Ricky Stanzi was not dynamic, but kept the ball moving, getting a TD from HB Tony Pollard and connecting with OBJ for 91 yards and a score on the day. The Generals forced 3 fumbles and a pick on the day and did not allow New England into the red zone all game.
POTG: New Jersey CB Aqib Talib: 5 Tck, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 PDef
TAMPA BAY 19 ATLANTA 14
We expected a shootout in this one, but both the Bandit and Fire defenses came to play and produced a much lower scoring game than anyone anticipated. With Aaron Murray confounded by Tampa Bay pressure, it was HB Nick Chubb, rushing for 109 yards and a TD, that led the Fire offense. For Tampa Bay it was a Matt Breida TD run and a 4th quarter pick-six of Murray that helped secure the Bandits a 4-0 start to the year.
POTG: Bandit CB Ken Webster; 4 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD
ST. LOUIS 15 HOUSTON 37
Carlos Hyde returned to action and helped Houston roll past the struggling Skyhawks. Hyde finished the game with 90 yards rushing and another 86 through the air, including 2 receiving touchdowns. McCoy threw only 17 passes on the day, relying on the run game for much of the second half, but had 3 passing TDs. Landry Jones, who subbed in for one series threw a 4th as the Gamblers handled the Skyhawks easily.
POTG: Gambler HB Carlos Hyde: 23 Att, 90 Yds, 3 Rec, 86 Yds, 2 TD
PITTBURGH 28 BIRMINGHAM 21
The Battle of the Steel Cities goes to the Maulers as Pittsburgh went on a 17-0 run in the second half, thanks in part to a Shaquile Riddick 7-yard fumble return for TD and a beautiful 34-yard run by rookie Cam Akers. Cam Newton, who completed 11 of 13 passing in the first half, with 2 scores, was held to 2 of 13 in the second, a disastrous half for the Birmingham offense.
POTG: Mauler DE Shaquile Riddick: 6 Tck, 1 Sck, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 Def TD
LAS VEGAS 24 DALLAS 12
A stunner as 0-3 Las Vegas doubled up the Dallas Roughnecks. It was 12-10 Dallas at the half, but the Vipers put up the only points of the 2nd half with McGloin hitting both Arrelious Benn and Dustin Keller for 2nd half scores to earn the Vipers’ first win of the season. Despite leading the Vipers with 35 yards rushing, Montario Hardesty was traded to Jacksonville for their lead back, Matt Jones on Tuesday in an early season shakeup among two 1-3 clubs.
POTG: Viper QB Matt McGloin: 25/33, 308 Yds, 2 TDs, 1 Int
OKLAHOMA 22 DENVER 29
The Outlaws fought in this one, even taking a 22-21 lead with 4:32 left in the game, but they could not hold down a resilient Gold team. Josh Allen led the Gold on a game winning drive at the end of regulation, connecting with Golden Tate for the winning TD with 1:11 left to play. Allen finished with 3 TDs on the day, all three to his favorite veteran target, Tate. Mason Rudolph’s 3 picks helped keep Denver close all game long, and led to widespread calls for Jalen Hurts to play on local sports radio.
POTG: Gold WR Golden Tate: 8 Rec, 113 Yds, 3 TD
ORLANDO 23 PHILADELPHIA 6
P. J. Walker was sacked 4 times, picked off twice, and hurried on every drop back as Orlando brought the pressure and rattled the backup QB. The Orlando offense struggled as well, but a pair of good drives, including TDs from Brashad Perriman and Ty Montgomery, were enough to earn the win for the Renegades.
POTG: Orlando DE Arthur Moats: 4 Tck, 1 TFL, 2 Sck
JACKSONVILLE 34 CHARLOTTE 31
The Bulls finally found some offense and earned their first win of the year. Teddy Bridgewater threw for 306 yards and 2 scores while HB Devin Singletary rushed for 86 yards for the Bulls. They were also helped out by a Sean Lee pick-six, one of two Trubisky picks on the day. Rookie Tee Higgins had a strong game as well, catching 5 throws for 94 yards and a score.
POTG: Bulls QB Teddy Bridgewater: 19/32, 306 Yds, 2 TD, 2 Int
OHIO 7 SAN ANTONIO 17
The Gunslingers’ first win as a newly reborn franchise comes in Week 4 as they hold off the Ohio Glory. C. J. Prosise got the ball rolling with a first quarter TD, followed by Flacco to TE Julius Thomas for a 2nd and the Gunslinger D held Joe Flacco to 207 yards and only 1 late TD to earn the win. Ohio drops to 1-3 while San Antonio celebrates their first franchise win since 1987.
POTG: San Antonio LB Gabe Miller: 7 Tck, 3 TFL, 1 Sck, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 PDef
SEATTLE 27 PORTLAND 30 OVERTIME
The Stags win an exciting Cascade Clash in extra time in a game few saw live but one we recommend folks catch on replay. Both Marcus Mariota and Brett Hundley had strong games, with Seattle’s QB throwing for 379 yards while the Stag QB went 23 of 40 for 339 and 3 TDs. Seattle got a late Knowshon Moreno TD to tie the score at 27 but in overtime they could not put points up and Portland was able to win the game on a short field goal from Cody Parkey, moving Portland to 2-2 after 4 weeks.
POTG: Stags’ WR Alshon Jeffery: 5 Rec, 130 Yds, 1 TD
LOS ANGELES 12 ARIZONA 19
Two of the league’s best defenses lived up to their reputations with Arizona holding the Express to a lone Hollywood Brown TD, while LA forced 3 Arizona field goals and allowed a lone TD to Victor Cruz. In a game where both teams secured a safety, it was the ability of the Wranglers to get in range for kicker Elliott Parson that made the difference.
POTG: Arizona DE Bud DuPree: 1 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Sfty, 1 FF
Trading Block Ablaze After Week Four
Hitting the one-quarter mark of the season means teams have a sense of where they are, what their rosters strengths are, and where they may need help. That often comes with some adjustments, either to gameplans, personnel packages, or to the roster itself. We certainly are seeing that this year as several teams have already begun working the trading block to try to get help. We had 3 significant trades this week as teams either try to address major issues or improve their offensive firepower with 12 weeks still on the schedule. We will break down each of these trades, as well as a late signing that essentially has the same dynamic.
Stars Make the Call, Trade for Lindley
Ever since Tom Brady arrived in Oakland Invader camp, the Pacific Division squad has been openly shopping both of their 2019 starters to anyone who might have interest. This week, after dropping to 0-4 with backup P. J. Walker under center, the Philadelphia Stars took Oakland up on their offer. Choosing 28-year-old former Bandit Ryan Lindley over NFL import Jimmy Garoppolo, the Stars sent Oakland a 4th round pick in the 2021 draft as well as a contingent 5th rounder in 2022 to land themselves another option at quarterback.
Lindley, whose contract clearly made him a more affordable option than Jimmy Garoppolo, appeared in 2 games for Oakland last year, throwing for 205 yards with no picks or touchdowns. In 2017 he threw for 1,265 yards for the Invaders in 7 appearances. With Matt Gutierrez expected back in action after a 2-week absence due to a toe injury (self-inflicted, you know the story), Lindley is seen perhaps as a motivator, to help Gutierrez find his early career form, or as a potential replacement. With the addition, Philadelphia sent Penn State product Trace McSorley to the practice squad, and has already placed Lindley on the 2nd team in the week’s depth chart, a clear sign that they are unsatisfied with P. J. Walker’s 2 game outing as the starter.
Vipers Address Anemic Run Game, Trade for Matt Jones
It is rare that we see starters, or even rotational starters, traded mid-season, but that is what we got in a deal between the Las Vegas Vipers and the Jacksonville Bulls. Jacksonville, who seem to be clearly moving towards Devin Singletary as their starting back, opted to part ways with 5-year veteran Matt Jones. Jones, who was the team’s lead back since 2017, was coming off an injury-plagued 2019 campaign that saw him gain only 397 yards. Healthy this season, he already has 144 yards in 4 games, but was clearly viewed as expendable, thanks to the development of 2019 draft pick Devin Singletary, currently leading the Bulls with 214 yards and an impressive 4.8 YPC average.
Enter the Las Vegas Vipers, surprisingly mired at 1-3 after 4 weeks and home to the league’s worst rated run game, averaging only 49.8 yards per game. The duo of Montario Hardesty and Kareem Hunt had accounted for a total of only 230 yards in the season’s first month and had proven ineffective particularly in short yardage situations. The Vipers needed and wanted a bigger back to take on that role, allowing Hunt to focus on plays in space, screens, swing passes, and outside runs. So, a deal was made that sent Hardesty, a 10-year veteran (now 30 years old) to head to Jacksonville to back up Singletary, while bringing Jones to Las Vegas to serve as the inside and short yardage runner to Hunt’s more mercurial style. The deal also included a swap of draft picks with the two swapping 5th round picks in the 2021 draft (a gamble based on each team hoping their final record is better than that of their trading partner). Expect to see both backs in action this week, assuming both clear their initial COVID testing protocols, with Matt Jones sharing caries with Kareem Hunt when Las Vegas takes on 1-3 Oklahoma, while Hardesty will back up Singletary when the Bulls face Baltimore.
Express & Glory Swap Receivers & Picks
The only trade featuring a team above .500 was a swap of wide receivers between the 1-3 Ohio Glory and the 3-1 Los Angeles Express. LA having reached 3-0 before a loss to Arizona this week, is still trying to build a more productive offense around 2nd year QB Kyler Murray. Ohio, on the other hand, might be hinting that a major Fire Sale is eminent. The Glory were willing to part with 8-year veteran and 2019 leading receiver Eric Weems. Weems, who put up 1,000-yard seasons in both 2018 and 2019 for the Glory since coming over from St. Louis, was the Glory’s leading receiver this season as well, but was seeing more and more targets heading towards 2nd year up-and-comer Terry McLaurin. That, along with Weems’s occasional vocal critiques of the team and costly contract apparently made the veteran receiver a trade option.
Los Angeles, which sits at 3-1 largely due to its defense, is ranked 30th in yards per game on offense, and many have been decrying the state of the Express receiver group for a while now. Second year receiver “Hollywood”Brown leads the team with only 144 yards. Weems immediately becomes the leading receiver on the team with his current 259 yards. In trade for Weems, Los Angeles parted with backup receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and a 3rd round pick in 2021, which got them Ohio’s lead receiver and a 5th rounder in return. Expect to see Weems lined up opposite Brown, with Nelson Agholor and Marqise Lee splitting time as well. For Ohio, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is not expected to crack the starting lineup, with McLaurin now as Receiver 1, with Curtis Samuel likely in the 2 spot and Cordarelle Patterson occupying the slot. MVS could be a backup for any of the three as the Glory try to figure out what they have gotten in trade for Weems.
Dallas signs SS Duke Williams for Southward
One last move as the Dallas Roughnecks bring in unsigned safety Duke Williams. The former Thunder safety went into free agency looking for a big deal after a solid 2019 but asked far too much and ended up without a team when camps opened. He finally agrees to a deal to come into Dallas and could start as soon as this week as the Roughnecks look to replace injured SS Dezmen Southward. Southward could miss 2-3 months with neck and skull injury last week. While he is recovering well back in Dallas after being transferred from Houston by helicopter, we could see the Roughnecks add him to IR now that they have an option in Williams.
Riddick Propels Maulers to 3-1
Shaquile Riddick is picking up where he left off last year, but this time it is directly impacting game results and helping Pittsburgh get off to a strong 3-1 start. The 6th year DE had a breakout season in 2019, jumping from only 4 sacks the year before to 18, finishing second only to Calais Campbell as the league’s 2nd best sack master. This year, with 5 sacks in his first 4 games he is already on pace to break his personal best and could be a contender for the title in a year where Calais Campbell has already missed 2 games and is well behind with only 2 sacks in the first month.
What is more important is that Riddick’s prowess chasing down the QB is being used as a tool to help the club win games. That was certainly the case this week when Riddick’s lone sack of the elusive Cam Newton produced not only a loss on the play, but the dreaded strip-sack, recovery, and touchdown for Riddick. Down 21-10 in the 3rd quarter, Riddick caught Newton in his windup, knocking the ball from his hand, then recovering it 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage, in the endzone, and falling on the ball for 7 points. In a game where Newton had already run for a 67-yard TD, it was a decisive, momentum-changing play that turned the tide of the game. With a 2-point conversion putting Pittsburgh down by only 3, they rallied, adding 10 points in the final quarter and winning 28-21. While Riddick currently trails Orlando’s Montez Sweat by 3 sacks, sitting in a cluster of players with 5 sacks that also includes Oakland’s Michael Bennett, Charlotte’s Chandler Jones, and LA’s Chris Jones, Riddick may well be the most likely to challenge Sweat for the title, and if he can keep on his current pace, he could cross 20 sacks this season, while also helping Pittsburgh surprise many by competing for the Central Division title.
Gold Loses Thompson for 2-3 Months
A rough diagnosis for a team hoping to compete for a title this year as Denver Gold linebacker Shaq Thompson had to be carted off the field with a back injury. The diagnosis is that there was a contusion to his spinal cord as well as some compression to the vertebrae, meaning that the 7th year veteran will miss no less than 2 months of action and could be done for the year. Thompson, who typically handles the weak side of the offensive formation in Denver’s 4-3, was doing just that when he got caught awkwardly in a scrum with a pair of Oklahoma linemen only to have HB DeeJay Dallas essential run right into his back. Thompson went down, teammates called for immediate help, and TV cut away as the medical team removed his helmet, fit him into a backboard and brought out the cart. Thompson was able to give a thumbs up to his teammates, but reported numbness in his legs.
The good news is that within 24 hours, doctors in Tucson’s Northwest Medical Center were able to report that full feeling in Thompson's legs had returned. There had been pressure on his spinal column from the injury and the vertebrae compression will require some traction as the doctors address the swelling. Thompson is expected to make a full recovery, but time is needed for the process, anywhere from 2-3 months before he could return to practice and to game action. Denver is not expected to place Thompson on IR, hoping he is able to return for a possible late season playoff run, and for any playoff games. With 7 linebackers already on their active roster, no practice squad or free agent moves are expected, the Gold will essentially keep Thompson as inactive each week and go into games with 52 active players. On the field, expect veteran backup K. J. Wright to take over for Thompson on the weak side, with Justin Houston staying on the strong side and Patrick Onwuasor in the middle.
A good and bad week for COVID cases ahead of Week 5 action. Good in that only 2 of the players from last week’s list have not been cleared to play this week, but bad in that we have had our highest number of new cases of any week this year. We also have our first case where one team is likely to be going pretty deep into their practice squad to fill spots, as Oakland will be down two offensive tackles as roommates Andre Smith and D. J. Fluker both tested positive this week. The list also includes a couple of major contributors whose absence certainly will be missed this week, players like Portland HB Doug Martin, Orlando’s top corner Dee Milliner, and Tampa Bay wideout Ryan Grant.
As for football injuries, the big one this week is obviously the loss of DT Jonathan Babineaux for the year to the Stars. Denver also will feel the pain as LB Shaquile Barrett could miss the rest of the regular season, though the Gold are unlikely to add Barrett to the IR in hopes that he will be back in 8 weeks and could be available for a playoff run.
OUT
DT Jonathan Babineaux PHI Achilles IR
LB Shaquile Barrett DEN Back 8-12 Weeks
OG Jonathan Cooper CHA Neck 6-8 Weeks
OG Chadwick Hodges JAX Shoulder 4-6 Weeks
CB Sean Smith PIT Shoulder 4-6 Weeks
OT Jonah Williams BIR ACL 2-4 Weeks
LB Greg Lloyd Jr. OKL Neck 1-2 Weeks
LB Josh Allen SEA Ankle 1-2 Weeks
DE Mario Addison NEN Jaw 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
OG Chris Lindstrom NJ Knee
CB Tye Smith SD Hand
CB Marcus Williams MEM Foot
QUESTIONABLE
WR Randall Cobb PHI Knee
COVID-19 INACTIVES
BIR LB Reggie Ragland
CHA OT Oli Udoh
HOU DE Tim Crowder 2nd Week
LA FS Jalen Mills 2nd Week
OAK CB William Jackson
OAK OT Andre Smith
OAK OT D. J. Fluker
ORL CB Dee Milliner
PHI DE Malik Jackson
POR HB Doug Martin
STL HB Bobby Rainey
TBY WR Ryan Grant
New Orleans, Atlanta, and Las Vegas Looking to Get In on Daytime Action
The league has not even gotten clearance to play daytime games inside the enclosed domes at NRG Stadium in Houston and State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, and there are already teams and stadiums pushing for the bubble plan to be expanded. Las Vegas and Wynn Arena, the SuperDome in New Orleans, and Atlanta’s Mercedez Benz Stadium are all pitching to allow for USFL teams to move some games to their facilities. The hope, of course, is that just having games in the facilities, even without a fan presence, helps the stadia recover some income from what has been a disastrous spring and what looks to be a very rough summer and fall. If the states of Louisiana, Nevada, and Georgia do as many hope Texas, Arizona, and Florida will do in time for the fall College & NFL seasons, and allow some occupancy on gamedays (current models are floating 20% to 25% capacity), then the benefits could be increasingly higher.
The problem? Even if approved by the states, the USFL has already invested tens of millions to secure the 9 hub stadiums already in use. And while the USFL might be interested in more day games added to the schedule, a rating boon for them and the networks, it seems unlikely that they would look to cancel their contracts with any of the stadiums already under contract to make it happen. So, what options do these additional facilities have? They could make a push for playoff football, since any playoff games would be contingent and not part of the league’s initial contracts with facilities like Rice Stadium in Houston or Ben Hill Griffith Stadium in Gainesville. We could potentially see the league, if partial attendance is possible, relocate some playoff games to improve the television broadcast schedule and to expand on fan interest in markets like New Orleans (currently watching the 4-0 Breakers remotely) or Atlanta (where fans of the surprising 3-1 Fire might turn out to see their team in the postseason). Of course, if this becomes a trend, there would be nothing to stop the USFL from simply moving all teams back to their home stadiums for a postseason in September and October, assuming all states allow for some stadium capacity to be filled.
We are a long way from any decisions on the USFL playoffs, and potentially at least a month away from final decisions within various states regarding the fall sports calendar, and with the virus still growing in reported cases, it seems unwise to talk about reopening any markets beyond the current bubble system unless conditions change. But, with television money a huge concern, if there is a chance for the USFL to potentially expand its list of venues for the postseason, it could become a reality.
First Quarter Power Rankings
Here we go, our first power rankings of the season. With 1/4 of the season down it is pretty clear who has started fast and who has struggled. Will the list remain static over the next 12 weeks? Very unlikely if past history tells us anything. You can almost bet that at least one team from the top 10 will end up in the bottom 3rd of the league by Week 16 and some team currently at 1-3 or even 0-4 will end up fighting for a Wild Card and a Top 12 spot.
1—Arizona Wranglers (4-0)
Big Story: The defending champs are averaging 28.8 PPG and allowing 12.5 PPG to create a nasty 16.3 points per game margin of victory. Hard to argue that they are the top team.
1st Quarter MVP: WR Victor Cruz: 21 Rec, 458 Yds, 3 TD
2—New Orleans Breakers (4-0)
Big Story: With an average of 366.5 passing yards per game, this Breaker squad could finally overtake Houston in the division.
1st Quarter MVP: QB Geno Smith: 1,427 Yds, 11:2 TD:Int, 131.7 QBR
3—Tampa Bay Bandits (4-0)
Big Story: Can you believe that the Bandits defense (5th in Points Allowed) is actually better than their offense (9th in points scored)? That is a good sign that they are ready to take their game to the next level.
1st Quarter MVP: LB DeMeco Ryans: 31 Tck, 3 TFL, 4 PDef
4—Michigan Panthers (3-1)
Big Story: The Panthers boast not only the best run game in the league (129.2 YPG) but the best run defense as well (40.2 YPG).
1st Quarter MVP: LB Sean Porter: 20 Tck, 5 TFL, 2 FF
5—Atlanta Fire (3-1)
Big Story: The Fire are surprising many with the top scoring offense in the league, having topped 40 points twice in their first 3 games.
1st Quarter MVP: WR A. J. Green: 17 Rec, 198 Yds, 3 TD
6—Memphis Showboats (3-1)
Big Story: The run game is strong, Paxton Lynch is minimizing turnovers and that has been enough to help the Showboats start strong.
1st Quarter MVP: DE Chase Winovich: 16 Tck, 7 TFL, 1 Sck, 2 FF
7—New Jersey Generals (3-1)
Big Story: Stingy is the word for New Jersey’s defense. They may be giving up 313 yards per game, but when it comes to scoring on them, that is a lot tougher, at 15.8 PPG (4th in the league).
1st Quarter MVP: LB Matt Milano: 24 Tck, 2 TFL, 1 Int, 1 Sck, 1 FF
8—Denver Gold (3-1)
Big Story: The top defense in the league for yards allowed, mostly due to a pass defense that is allowing only 189.8 YPG even without Von Miller in the fold.
1st Quarter MVP: HB DeMarco Murray: 314 Yds, 1 TD, 4.5 YPC
9—Los Angeles Express (3-1)
Big Story: Scoring only 15 points a game is normally pretty bad, but when your defense is 1st in the league, allowing only 12 points a game, you can still win games.
1st Quarter MVP: LB Uchena Nwosu: 35 Tck, 10 TFL, 3 Sck, 1 FF
10—Pittsburgh Maulers (3-1)
Big Story: The move from the NE Division to the Central has started well for Pittsburgh, thanks in large part to a solid defense and resurgent run game.
1st Quarter MVP: CB Tre Herndon: 20 Tck, 9 PDef, 3 Int, 2 FF, 1 DefTD
11—Washington Federals (3-1)
Big Story: A pretty big surprise at 3-1, the Feds offense is still a work in progress (22nd in the league in scoring) but the defense is keeping them in games.
1st Quarter MVP: WR Tyreek Hill: 18 Rec, 273 Yds, 2 TD
12—Houston Gamblers (2-2)
Big Story: A rough early schedule with tough losses to the Breakers and Panthers, but this is a team that can both put up points (7th in the league) and keep you from doing the same (3rd in points against).
1st Quarter MVP: WR Mike Evans: 16 Rec, 477 Yds, 1 TD, 29.8 YPC
13—Oakland Invaders (2-2)
Big Story: Tom Brady is not going to be a 400-yard passer, but his leadership is showing as the Invaders are looking like a team that can do some damage.
1st Quarter MVP: DE Michael Bennett: 14 Tck, 6 TFL, 5 Sck, 1 FF
14—Orlando Renegades (2-2)
Big Story: We are getting flashbacks of the Calais Campbell years. Montez Sweat is leading the league in sacks but the defense is still 27th in yards allowed.
1st Quarter MVP: DE Montez Sweat: 14 Tck, 3 TFL, 8 Sck
15—Chicago Machine (2-2)
Big Story: The Machine have one of the league’s best run defenses, and they too can run the ball. Basically they are Michigan Jr.
1st Quarter MVP: WR Michael Floyd: 26 Rec, 345 Yds, 3 TD
16—Baltimore Blitz (2-2)
Big Story: Jake Locker is struggling, but the 2nd best defense in yards allowed is keeping the Blitz in games. They just need to get more out of Josh Jacobs to help the O catch up.
1st Quarter MVP: LB Jarvis Jones: 31 Tck, 6 TFL, 1 Sck
17—Dallas Roughnecks (2-2)
Big Story: The D is still the issue, giving up nearly 27 points per game. The run game is much improved and Josh Freeman’s play is keeping rookie Justin Herbert on the bench.
1st Quarter MVP: HB Samaje Perine: 290 Yds, 4 TD, 4.2 YPC
18—Portland Stags (2-2)
Big Story: A big win over Seattle this week, but with the 26th best scoring defense, they need to tighten up to support their surprisingly solid offensive production.
1st Quarter MVP: HB Doug Martin: 254 Yds, 3 TD, 3.9 YPC
19—Charlotte Monarchs (1-3)
Big Story: Nyheim Hines has been a revelation for an otherwise pedestrian offense, but giving up over 104 yards per game against the run has the defense unable to get teams off the field.
1st Quarter MVP: HB Nyheim Hines: 236 Yds, 2 TD, 4.4 YPC
20—San Diego Thunder (1-3)
Big Story: Dead last in scoring at 10.8 PPG, the Thunder attack has just not looked at all like their 2019 squad. The defense is on the field far too long and they are wearing down already.
1st Quarter MVP: CB Tye Smith: 13 Tck, 5 PDef, 3 Int
21—Las Vegas Vipers (1-3)
Big Story: Averaging only 49.8 yards per game on the ground, the Vipers made a move to fix that with a trade this week, and good for them for being proactive before it is too late.
1st Quarter MVP: WR Arrelious Benn: 20 Rec, 180 Yds, 3 TD
22—Seattle Dragons (1-3)
Big Story: Brett Hundley has the passing game doing well, but little else is working for the Dragons, with no pass rush, little run game, and too many turnovers.
1st Quarter MVP: QB Brett Hundley: 1,023 Yds, 3:3 TD:Int, 90.8 QBR
23—Birmingham Stallions (1-3)
Big Story: Even with a dynamic QB like Newton, you are not going to win a lot of games when you allow 30 points per game on defense.
1st Quarter MVP: QB Cam Newton: 1,045 Yds, 9:1 TD:Int, 112.4 QBR, 120 Yds Rushing, 4 TD
24—Oklahoma Outlaws (1-3)
Big Story: The Outlaws are shooting themselves in the foot far too often. They give up big plays and they simply don’t seem to make any of their own.
1st Quarter MVP: DT Luis Castillo: 16 Tck, 4 TFL, 1 Sck, 1 FF
25—Jacksonville Bulls (1-3)
Big Story: The offense has finally woken up after scoring only 9 points in their first 2 games. How will trading away Matt Jones impact that progress?
1st Quarter MVP: WR Tee Higgins: 20 Rec, 260 Yds, 1 TD
26—New England Steamrollers (1-3)
Big Story: The Steamrollers surprised us all with an opening weekend win, but since then the offense has scored 10, 7, and 6 points, not a good trend.
1st Quarter MVP: LB Cameron Smith: 24 Tck, 4 TFL, 1 Int, 1 Sck
27—San Antonio Gunslingers (1-3)
Big Story: After an 0-3 start, the Gunslingers got their first W this week, and can now focus on week-to-week improvement.
1st Quarter MVP: TE Julius Thomas: 14 Rec, 199 Yds, 3 TD
28—Ohio Glory (1-3)
Big Story: Averaging only 13.2 points per game and giving up 21.8 is not a way to win games. The Glory may be on the verge of a major reshuffling in 2021 if they cannot turn this around.
1st Quarter MVP: LB Ryan Shazier: 28 Tck, 4 TFL, 2 Sck, 1 Int
29—Philadelphia Stars (0-4)
Big Story: Last year the Stars were 0-5 before a 9-2 run gave them the NE Division crown. This year we think they are just not making enough plays, and it does not help that they have had to deal with Matt Gutierrez’s injury (an injury apparently due to a temper tantrum in the locker room, not an on-field injury.)
1st Quarter MVP: DE Malik Jackson: 14 Tck, 3 TFL, 4 Sck, 1 FF
30—St. Louis Skyhawks (0-4)
Big Story: We are mystified as to why Frank Reich is not letting Lamar be Lamar. The St. Louis offense should be dynamic and fast, instead it is plodding and predictable.
1st Quarter MVP: DE Adrian Clayborn: 23 Tck, 10 TFL, 4 Sck
We kick off the 2nd quarter of the season with Friday night division games in the Southern and Southwestern divisions, with Birmingham facing a very tough matchup against the unbeaten New Orleans Breakers while the top 2 teams in the Southwest, the Wranglers and Gold, will face off on ASU’s campus in Tempe.
Saturday we have 4 division games, again all in Houston and Arizona, with Houston renewing a rivalry with San Antonio at Rice Stadium, Chicago facing newly-reassigned Central Division rival Pittsburgh at NRG Stadium, and then, in the late games it is Las Vegas vs. Oklahoma in a battle of 1-3 teams hoping to get on track and a Pacific Clash between the 3-1 LA Express and the 2-2 Portland Stags.
Sunday offers only 2 divisional games, with Michigan taking on St. Louis at 9pm and San Diego facing Seattle (in Tucson) at 11pm. But, outside of divisional games, there is plenty of good inter-divisional action, such as New Jersey facing Orlando on Friday and a battle of 2-2 clubs hoping to make a move as Dallas faces Oakland in a Sunday night game from State Farm Stadium.
FRIDAY
8pm ET New Jersey (3-1) @ Orlando (2-2) Orlando ESPN/EFN
9pm ET Birmingham (1-3) @ New Orleans (4-0) TDECU NBC
11pm ET Arizona (4-0) @ Denver (3-1) Tempe ABC
SATURDAY
8pm ET Washington (3-1) @ Charlotte (1-3) Tampa NBC
8pm ET New England (1-3) @ Tampa Bay (4-0) Gainesville FOX
9pm ET Houston (2-2) @ San Antonio (1-3) Rice ABC
9pm ET Chicago (2-2) @ Pittsburgh (3-1) NRG FOX
11pm ET Las Vegas (1-3) @ Oklahoma (1-3) Tucson ABC
11pm ET Los Angeles (3-1) @ Portland (2-2) Glendale FOX
SUNDAY
8pm ET Baltimore (2-2) @ Jacksonville (1-3) Tampa ABC
8pm ET Philadelphia (0-4) @ Atlanta (3-1) Orlando FOX
9pm ET Michigan (3-1) @ St. Louis (0-4) NRG ESPN/EFN
9pm ET Memphis (3-1) @ Ohio (1-3) Rice FOX
11pm ET San Diego (1-3) @ Seattle (1-3) Tucson ABC
11pm ET Dallas (2-2) @ Oakland (2-2) Glendale FOX
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