2021 USFL Week 14 Recap: Streaks Snapped!

Seattle and Tampa Bay both wrap up division titles, the Dragons doing so despite a tough loss in LA. Meanwhile, Tim Tebow helps Birmingham’s win streak hit 3 games in a row, while the Generals are stunned by a very feisty Washington Federals’ squad. And, don’t look know, but with a 3-game winning streak, the Panthers are back in 2^nd place in the Central, only 1 game behind Chicago. We will run down all the action, including Davis Mills’ debut for the Invaders. We will also take a look at the award races, which are all looking very tight right now, and the distinct possibility that 3 longstanding coaches could be in trouble as Black Monday approaches. But we begin with Washington’s unexpected showing against a Generals team that had won 9 in a row.

Federals Stun Generals as New Storyline Emerges

The Washington 2 months ago the Washington Federals were on the fast track to an early draft pick, sitting at 1-6 and making a midseason change at QB. But with 3 weeks left in the USFL season the Feds may be on the fringe of the playoff race, but they have not given up. Since making their swap at QB, promoting former Seattle Dragon Jacoby Brissett over high-priced free agent acquisition Ryan Nassib, the Federals have gone 5-2, including a 3-week win streak that included victories over Philadelphia and Ohio, and just this week they avenged their lone loss during the past 2 months, a 28-21 loss in New Jersey, by knocking off the Generals 31-24. Washington may only be 6-7 overall, but they are one of the hottest teams in the league and a team no one wants to see on their schedule the next three weeks.

Brissett’s numbers may not be huge (1,672 yards and a 53.4% Completion Rate) but he has produced 11 touchdowns in 7 games, with only 5 picks, and he has helped Washington turn the season on its head and make June games relevant. But the truth is that he has not done it on his own. Brissett has benefited from the rapid development and undeniable skills of rookie HB Travis Etienne. The Clemson star is closing in on 1,000 yards after a 119-yard outing against the Generals, the self-same Generals team that held him to only 28 yards 2 weeks ago. Throw in a 99-yard game against Charlotte, a 91-yarder vs. Atlanta, and his 130-yard break out game against New Orleans and you have a back who will garner a lot of votes for Rookie of the Year.

Etienne has become a focal point of the Washington offense, allowing Brissett to use play action and helping the Federals move up the offensive statistical tables to a point where they now rank 10^th in scoring and 12^th in rushing. Even with the 28^th ranked defense (yards allowed) they are still winning games. They will host the New England Steamrollers this week, and again in the finale, and simply winning those two games will get them to .500, but if we were the Chicago Machine, the Feds’ Week 16 opponent, we would not be happy to see this team getting hot right now.

The odds for Washington to make the postseason are slim, even with a 3-0 finish (which would actually be a 5-0 finish). Their top potential record is 9-7, which is unlikely to be a Top 6 finish in the East, but they certainly can send a message about the future, putting the rest of the NE Division on notice and setting up for a big 2022. It all starts with offense right now, but give Coach Kevin Gilbride another offseason and we could see some improvement on defense as well. All this from a team that seemed to be giving up at midseason, trading away Chris Long to Seattle in what looked like a cap-dumping move. But now, with a nucleus to build around, that move may well be the basis for upgrades on defense that could help the Federals take another step. They are essentially set at QB (Brissett), HB (Etienne), WR (Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, and Jarvis Landry) and at TE (Housler and Winslow). So, that means they can dedicate the offseason to improving Brissett’s protection and bringing in some help for DE Bradley Chubb, and CB Prince Amukamara. With Tremaine Edwards, Patrick Queen, and Anthony Walker looking solid in the LB slots, we think DE, CB, and the O-line will be the focus, and that is a pretty manageable wish list for a team that has over $8M in cap space before we see any free agent departures or retirements (not that we expect many).

The win this week over New Jersey was a stunner, not because the Feds got the win, but because it indicated that this team was not happy playing out the string, they wanted to send a message that Washington is on the way back after 7 consecutive non-playoff years. 2021 may be the 8^th, but with what we are seeing from this group, that streak is not likely to hit 9 seasons.

SEATTLE DRAGONS 21  LOS ANGELES EXPRESS 28

Sometimes you just know that a game is going to be a good one, and with the LA Express teetering on the verge of playoff oblivion, we all had a sense that they would make a stand, playing at home, and visited by the 10-2 Seattle Dragons, winners of 10 in a row. We were right as Saturday’s Prime Time game on ESPN gave us everything we could have wanted out of a Pacific Division showdown.

The game featured one of the league’s best defenses in the Express going up against it’s leading rusher in Knowshon Moreno. It featured one of the most criticized and analyzed passing games going up against perhaps the league’s best secondary in Seattle’s combo of corners Richard Sherman, Chidobe Awuzie, and Jaire Alexander and safeties Taylor Rapp and Terrell Edmunds. It also featured two coaches with contrasting styles, the aggressive offensive mind of Mike Riley against the stodgy and defense-first philosophy of Marvin Lewis. In other words, this one had “classic” written all over it.

We often expect these kinds of divisional slugfests to start slowly, with both teams sizing each other up, but that is not what we got. We got points out of the gate, with Seattle opening the game with an 11-play drive and a Hundley to Amari Cooper TD that silenced the LA crowd. But that crowd was not silent for long when, on Seattle’s 2^nd drive, backed up at the 10, Hundley made a fatal mistake, trying to force the ball inside to TE Kyle Rudolph. Express LB Keith Rivers jumped the route, snapped up the ball, and rumbled his way to the endzone to even the score with a defensive TD, an Express specialty.

Seattle was upset, but angry after the botched pass, and Hundley bounced back in a big way, connecting with slot receiver John Brown for 30 yards on a 3^rd and 7 throw. That was followed by a 12-yard run from Moreno, his longest of the day, and then a quick strike to Cooper, and finished off with Moreno going the final 6 yards to once again build up a 7-point Dragon lead. All of this in about 7 minutes of game time, and while the score would hold through the end of the 1^st quarter, it was clear that both teams were ready for the intensity of this game.

Midway through the 2^nd quarter, Seattle expanded their advantage with Moreno earning his 2^nd TD of the game, a goal-line plunge after a defensive PI against Richard Sherman (who guarded Cooper all night) put the ball on the 1. Moreno’s score with 6:14 left in the half, gave Seattle a 21-7 lead, but the Express were not impressed. They got in range as the half wound down, but a poor snap cost them a field goal and they went into the locker room a frustrated but motivated team, trailing by 14, but feeling the game was far from over.

LA came out in the 2^nd half with no interest at all in respecting Seattle’s game. They manhandled the Dragons on 3 consecutive 3-and-out possessions by the Dragon offense. Their own offense found some rhythm as well, turning their 2^nd possession of the half into 7 points thanks to a 15-play, 7-minute drive that concluded with Paul Perkins crashing into the endzone from the 3. The Express had dominated the quarter and now went into the final period down only 7.

The 4^th quarter would belong to two players, LA DE Nick Bosa, who recorded 2 sacks, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in the span of 12 minutes, and WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who would find the endzone twice in the final 6 minutes of action. The first came on a 1-yard crossing pattern after the Bosa fumble gave LA the ball at the Seattle 22. The Express pounded the ball towards the endzone, with Perkins and Ty Montgomery both effective against the Dragon run defense. Once they got inside the 5, they faked the run and Murray found Brown for the equalizer.

Only 3 minutes later, after yet another 3-and-out from the LA defense, helped by a Jamar Taylor sack on a corner blitz, the 6^th sack of Hundley on the night, LA was back in action and moving the ball well. Murray, who finished the game only 10 of 21, got 2 of his 10 completions on the drive, including the go-ahead score, a 29-yard out & up that fooled the Seattle secondary and left Brown open for the score. LA was up 7 after trailing by 14, had held Seattle without any points in the second half, and was only 2:54 away from a very needed division win. But 2:54 is an eternity in football, so this game still had some drama left to play out.

Seattle took the ensuing kickoff to the 27 on their return, and took the field hoping to muster one last drive to send the game to overtime. They would abandon the run on the drive, having seen Knowshon Moreno, despite his 2 short TD runs, limited to only 33 yards on 16 carries, a paltry 2.1 YPC average. Hundley would have to carry the team if they were going to even the score in the final minutes. At first he seemed very much up to the task, finding Newhouse for an 11-yard strike on the first play of the drive, then finding TE Kyle Rudolph for 23 only 2 plays later. They were in LA territory, but they needed 7, not 3, and they needed to keep moving closer to get that done.

Hundley took a huge hit on the next play, a blow just as he threw the ball as Bosa again hit home, but as the pass fluttered out of bounds, it did nothing but move the down to 2^nd and 10. On the 2^nd down play, Hundley found TE John Bates, but the play gained only 2 yards, creating a 3^rd and 8. Hundley went to the shotgun, looked first at Newhouse, then back across to John Brown over the middle, but there was nothing there.  He took off running but was brought down after gaining only 2 yards, creating a game-defining 4^th and 6. Again in the shotgun, Murray thought he had the clean route he needed, throwing a laser towards Amari Cooper, but Richard Sherman recovered quickly, gaining ground on the receiver, and disrupting the catch with his left arm thrust between Coopers. The ball fell to the ground and the possession switched over to the Express.

LA would need a first down to end the game, and they got it in only 2 plays, the first a 5-yards counter by Perkins, the second another 5-yard gainer, this time from Murray on the scramble, and that was all she wrote. The Express, up 28-21, could take a knee, leave the field at 7-7 and remain very much alive in the playoff hunt. The Dragons, winners of 10 in a row, now had their third defeat, and yet, for the disappointment of the day, there would be good news as other results came in over the weekend, locking in the Dragons not only as a playoff team, but as the Pacific Division Champions. A strange way to get there, but they got there nonetheless.

NEW JERSEY 24  WASHINGTON 31

As we covered in our Big Story this week, Washington stunned the Generals, with Travis Etienne not only rushing for 119 yards, averaging 6 yards per carry, but he also contributed a key TD through the air. Jacoby Brissett also found Tyreek Hill for a score in the 4^th quarter, giving Washington a 31-17 lead before a late General TD made the game look closer than it was.

POTG: Federal HB Travis Etienne: 20 Att, 116 Yds, 3 Rec, 23 Yds, 1 TD

OHIO 0  CHICAGO 34

A disastrous performance for Ohio in a game they hoped would propel them to the playoffs. The Glory rushed for a total of negative 2 yards in this game. Yes, even with a dual threat QB and a pretty solid veteran HB in Isaiah Pead, they managed negative rush yardage. Add to that a grand total of only 3 first downs in the entire game, and a defense that allowed Chicago to walk all over them and this was a very bad showing for a team that had playoff aspirations.

POTG: Chicago kicker Daniel Carlson: 6 for 6 on FG.

MICHIGAN 28  PHILADELPHIA 17

LeVeon Bell had only 1 carry before a shoulder injury took him out, but Alexander Mattison and Karlos Williams stepped in and combined for 161 yards and 2 TDs as the Panthers won their 3^rd in a row to get right back into playoff position at 8-5. The Panthers picked off Carson Wentz twice, including a Dre Kirkpatrick pick-six, and limited Derrick Henry to only 39 yards in a game that was never really close after a 14-0 first quarter from the Panthers.

POTG: Michigan CB Dre Kirkpatrick: 5 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD.

ORLANDO 27  NEW ORLEANS 17

The ‘Gades took care of business, improving to 8-5 despite 3 Russell Wilson picks and a defense that gave up 126 yards and 2 scores to Breaker WR Justin Jefferson. They were helped by a 100-yard game from NFL import Chris Carson, and by a defense that sacked Tajh Boyd 4 times, 3 coming from league sack leader Montez Sweat. The Renegades took a 10-3 lead in the 2^nd quarter and never trailed after that as New Orleans was eliminated from playoff consideration at 4-9.

POTG: Orlando DE Montez Sweat: 5 Tck, 3 Sck, 1 FF

PITTSBURGH 21 DALLAS 33

Dallas won their 3^rd in a row to move above .500 and they did it in style, with Perine and Johnson combining for 124 yards and 2 TDs on the ground and the defense returning a Dalton pick 29 yards for a score. All you need to know about how this game went for Pittsburgh is that Andy Dalton led all backs with 8 rushing attempts. Pressure was on him all game and the results were not pretty for the Maulers.

POTG: Dallas HB Samaje Perine: 22 Att, 81 Yds, 2 TD

BIRMINGHAM 26  OKLAHOMA 20

Tim Tebow has 2 wins in 2 starts, and this one came with some pretty nice numbers as well, with Tebow going 14 of 25 for 312 yards, 2 TDs and no picks. That is quite a bit better than Jalen Hurts’s 186 yards, though Hurts also added 2 TDs. Oklahoma held a surprising 20-16 lead after 3 quarters, but a Tebow to HB Ben Tate TD throw and a field goal from Chris Boswell helped the Stallions build up a 6-point lead and they blanked Oklahoma down the stretch to move to 9-5 on the season.

POTG: Stallion QB Tim Tebow: 14/25, 312 Yds, 2 TD, 0 Int

ST. LOUIS 14  DENVER 20

With Josh Allen knocked out of the game with a foot injury after only 1 attempt, it was Mitch Trubisky who rallied the Gold, with a lot of help from Golden Tate. Tate caught 6 of 9 targets from Trubisky, turning short throws into big gainers with YAC. That includes a 50-yard TD on a 7-yard throw, and another 27-yard TD catch and run. St. Louis played the Gold tough, but Tyrod Taylor was sacked 5 times, 3 in the 4^th quarter and the Skyhawks just could not come back late.

POTG: Denver WR Golden Tate: 6 Rec, 173 Yds, 2 TD

BALTIMORE 24  NEW ENGLAND 7

The Blitz stay alive in the Wild Card race, with Jake Locker throwing for 3 scores and the defense limiting Ryan Tannehill to 185 yards passing. It was 24-0 after 3 quarters with a late garbage time score finally putting New England on the board. The poor offensive performance by the homestanding Steamrollers likely played a big part in the decision to finish the year with Jameis Winston under center (see story below).

POTG: Blitz QB Jake Locker: 15/25, 144 Yds, 3 TD, 1 Int

SAN ANTONIO 10  ATLANTA 21

The Gunslingers were feeling good after building up a 10-0 lead at the half, but the Fire adjusted in the 2^nd half, with Pat White throwing for 3 scores and the Gunslinger D giving up 168 yards to Fire backs. Kenyan Drake, who is rumored to be headed into free agency, rushed for 104 yards on only 6 carries, while Nick Chubb went 18 for 62 as Atlanta, got their first win with White under center.

POTG: Fire QB Pat White: 28/41, 273 Yds, 3 TD, 1 Int

CHARLOTTE 13  JACKSONVILLE 17

In what might have been their best shot at a win this season, Charlotte held a 13-10 lead after 3 quarters but could not finish the game out. Jacksonville scored on a Lawrence to Mike Williams 22-yard toss with 5:16 left to play and the Monarchs just did not have a late answer. Kyle Boller threw for 307 yards against the Bulls’ defense but also threw 2 second half picks. The star for Jacksonville was Williams, who caught both Trevor Lawrence TDs on the day.

POTG: Jacksonville WR Mike Williams: 5 Rec, 105 Yds, 2 TD

PORTLAND 9  ARIZONA 35

No doubt about this one as the Wranglers put up 17 points in the 2^nd quarter to take a dominant 23-2 lead. David Carr threw for 4 scores and both Victor Cruz and Demarcus Robinson both went over 100 as the Wrangler offense is rounding into playoff form down the stretch. DE Bud Dupree added 2 sacks, including a safety against Mariota as each team got one 2-pointer in the game.

POTG: Wrangler QB David Carr: 14/23, 283 Yds, 4 TD, 0 Int

TAMPA BAY 34  SAN DIEGO 19

The hardest part of this game for Tampa Bay was getting there, as their original coast-to-coast flight had to make an emergency landing in Mobile, Alabama due to mechanical issues. They found their way to San Diego in plenty of time and from there it was pretty simple. Dak Prescott went 14 of 22 for 311 yards and 2 scores, while Dalvin Cook added 87 more and three TDs in a Bandit win that locked up their repeat as SE Division Champs.

POTG: Bandit HB Dalvin Cook: 17 Att, 87 Yds, 2 TD, 1 Rec, 13 Yds, 1 TD

LAS VEGAS 17  OAKLAND 21

A solid debut for QB Davis Mills and a good win for the Invaders, who improved to 7-6. Mills went 23 of 34, throwing for 262with 2 TDs and 1 pick. He was pressured by the Vipers, who recorded 6 sacks, but he stayed on his game and helped Oakland get the win with a 4^th quarter TD to Taylor Gabriel that proved to be the winning score. Christian McCaffrey also had a good day, rushing for 106 and a score.

POTG: Oakland LB Shaquile Barrett: 6 Tck, 3 TFL, 1 Sck

HOUSTON 44  MEMPHIS 17 

The Showboats did not show for this one, as Houston ran up a 34-3 score by halftime. First half scores from Mike Evans, Josh Reynolds, Carlos Hyde and Gerald Everett proved how diverse and how difficult this Gambler offense can be. McCoy threw for 4 scores in the game, while Blake Bortles, getting the start for an injured Paxton Lynch (a Saturday incident at home with a knife, apparently), was sacked 6 times and picked off once in the Houston blowout. Lynch is expected to be back next week, but it may be too late for the 6-7 Showboats.

POTG: Houston QB Colt McCoy: 14/23, 238 Yds, 4 Td, 1 Int

Tebow 2-0 As Stallions Keep Stampeding

While Stallion fans can certainly hope for Cam Newton to be back by season’s end, the absolutely cannot complain about the results the past three weeks, with Tim Tebow at the helm. Not only did the former Bulls’ starter and Gator legend help the Stallions pull out a key game against Memphis when Newton went down, but in two starts he has produced over 550 yards passing, 4 touchdowns, no picks, and, most importantly 2 wins. The initial panic and all the hand-wringing about the trade that sent Jameis Winston to New England seems to have been without merit. Tebow has not only played well, he now has Birmingham on the brink of playoff certainty for only the 3rd time this millennium. Birmingham holds a slim 1-game lead over Houston for the division title, but at 9-4, they are almost assured a place among the 12 playoff teams, and they have a real shot at winning their first division title since 1997. You read that right, the Brett Favre-led Stallion team of 1997 was the last division title for Birmingham, a drought that is now 23 seasons long and on the cusp of finally ending.

Tebow has not tried to play Superman, and his game is still a bit rusty, completing only 47.1% of his passes since taking over for Newton, but he is managing the game, spreading the ball around, finding plays at key times, and even using his legs to make plays. He sits with a 106.4 QB Rating after 2.5 games, far better than most starters across the league, and he has the Stallions believing they can finish the regular season atop the Southern Division and possibly even getting a nice bye week for their troubles. That bye could be pivotal, with Cam Newton expected to miss at least 2 more games, but very likely needing even more time. The best case scenario was for Newton to return for Week 17’s season finale at Arizona, but if Tebow continues to win games, Birmingham might be in a position to play some backups and let Tebow make a curtain call in the regular season, with Newton then getting an additional week of rest before coming back under center in the Divisional Playoffs 2 weeks later.

Tebow’s play, and the victories over New Orleans and Oklahoma, has flipped the narrative in Alabama from “Can we survive and make the playoffs with Tebow?” to “What if Tebow goes 5-0? Should we keep him in for the playoffs?”. That last thought was unthinkable only a few weeks ago, but with one SEC legend replacing another and doing it with very positive results, Birmingham is asking questions that are more a luxury than a necessity.

Mills gets Win in First USFL Start

Birmingham is not the only team asking some tough QB questions after rookie Davis Mills got his first start and produced a nice win over Las Vegas. His numbers were not eye-popping, but they were certainly very solid for a rookie making his pro debut: 23 of 34 for 262 yards, 2 TDs and 1 pick. Mills looked comfortable under center and Oakland improved to 7-6 on the year, still very much in a crowded pack looking for a Wild Card spot.

The decision to bench Tom Brady was certainly a highly controversial one, but at 6-6 and feeling like the chance for a playoff spot had passed them by, it made some sense to give their rookie some 2021 playing time before possibly taking on the starter mantle full time in 2022. But, what happens if Mills keeps producing wins? Oakland is currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, one of 5 teams sitting at 7-6, with Ohio currently holding the tie-breaker advantage for the 6^th playoff position, but a few more wins from the Invaders and they could easily leapfrog the Glory, Maulers, Express, and Roughnecks to claim the spot. What happens if they do?

Assuming Mills is able to maneuver the Invaders into the playoffs, do you stick with the hot hand, an untested rookie in his first USFL postseason, or do you return to the 5-Time Pro Football Champion and 2-time USFL Champion QB in his swan song season? There will be fans within the Invader Army who feel like Brady deserves the shot at one more playoff run. Others will look at what will have to be a very strong 4-game mini-season by Mills and insist that the rookie deserves the postseason starts. It is a tough situation for Coach Kubiak, but, as with Birmingham’s QB situation, it is one based on abundance, not scarcity, a playoff run facilitated by a new QB and a very solid veteran backup also available. There are plenty of teams that would be envious of those kinds of tough decisions instead of the ones they face as the season heads into its final weeks.

Bell Out vs. Stars But Panthers Prevail

The Michigan Panthers have used a 3-game winning streak (and 4 of 5) to get back into the thick of the Central Division chase after falling all the way to 4^th place in the division. Their win this week over Philadelphia was an impressive one, if only for one reason, it was accomplished without 3-time OPOTY winner LeVeon Bell at halfback.

Bell came into the game looking like he was ready to rip through the Stars’ defense, but on only the 2^nd play of the game, Bell’s first carry, he took the ball on a routine counter run, crashed through the line, gained 3 yards, and was driven to the ground by Philadelphia rookie LB Micah Parsons. Bell popped right back, headed to the huddle, rotating his arm, when he suddenly winced in pain, and called to be taken out. Michigan fans everywhere likely let out some salty language upon seeing Bell head to the medical team, and then the locker room. The good news is that while his shoulder was clearly bruised, he had not suffered a dislocation or a fracture. He would spend the rest of the game on the sideline in a t-shirt but without a sling.

The better news for the Panthers is that with their superstar out of action, they still dominated the Stars, outgaining Philadelphia 314-266 and converting on 8 of 12 third downs. Alexander Mattison got most of the carries in Bell’s stead, and the 3^rd year back availed himself quite well, averaging 3.9 YPC on his way to 81 carries. Third stringer and occasional 3^rd down back Karlos Williams also stepped up, rushing for another 80 yards on 12 carries, with a strong 6.1 YPC average. Both Williams and Mattison found paydirt, scoring once apiece, and the Panthers came away with an 11-point victory on the road against a very tough Philadelphia squad.  Bell is expected to suit up this week, when the Panthers match up in a key Central Division game against 7-5 Ohio, and while he may have his snap count limited, it is clear from this week’s Panther victory, that Michigan may well be able to carry on and challenge Chicago without him being at 100%, something the Panther faithful are very happy to see.

Roughnecks Back in Hunt with 3rd Straight Win

Another team on a 3-game streak, the Dallas Roughnecks, are hoping they can stay hot and get themselves back in the playoff race. It won’t be easy as their 6-5 Conference record has them currently last among the 5-team cluster of Western Division teams with the same 7-6 record. Of all the 7-6 teams, Dallas is the one most likely to need to gain a game on the others to earn a Wild Card spot. Having already lost to Arizona, Ohio, and LA, the Vipers have some head-to-head issues, but also only have 1 more conference game left, a season finale against Las Vegas.

The Roughnecks, elevated by 3 good wins over that same Las Vegas team, as well as a big win in Denver and this week’s victory over Pittsburgh, may well need to win out, which will be a challenge, but not impossible as the three foes left on the Roughneck schedule (New Orleans, Memphis, and Las Vegas) all sit below .500 after 13 games. They have a chance, and they will likely need a good bit of help, but all you can ask at this point of the season is to be playing well and to have that retain meaning as the playoff races come down to the final weeks.

Steamrollers to Give Winston 3-Game Mini-Season

Officially eliminated from playoff contention at 4-9, and coming off two deflating losses to Orlando and Baltimore, the New England Steamrollers have clearly moved into “future planning” mode. The biggest sign of that is the decision from Coach Fox, announced on Tuesday, that Jameis Winston, and not Ryan Tannehill, would be under center for their final three games (@ Washington, @ Ohio and home to the same Federals for the finale). Winston, acquired in a midseason three-team trade that saw the Steamrollers give up both HB Eddie Lacy and 1^st round rookie pick Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, will get his first USFL start against the Federals this week and is expected to have what is essentially a 3-game audition to be the named starter ahead of the 2022 season. The former NFL starter came to the USFL to serve as Cam Newton’s backup in Birmingham after some rough, up and down, seasons in the NFL, including a brutal 30-interception year in 2020. When Tampa Bay released Winston, he got moderate attention from other NFL teams but opted to restart his career in the USFL. Now, with the Steamrollers, he will have a chance to show that he should be reinstated as a starter.

And what of Ryan Tannehill? Himself an NFL import, Tannehill came to the Steamrollers after 1 season in Jacksonville, where he was in Winston’s shoes, trying to prove he could be a viable starter. He had 1 start late in the 2019 season for the Bulls, going 24 of 36 and doing enough to impress John Fox, who selected the former Miami Dolphin in the expansion draft. Tannehill started all 16 games for the Steamrollers in their inaugural season, throwing 15 TDs and 17 picks, and earning a sup-par rating of 68.7. This year has been a bit better, with Tannehill’s numbers improving to a 77.7 QBR, while throwing 9 touchdowns and 8 picks in 11 starts (missing 2 starts to injury early in the season and before Winston's arrival). Well, a lot of what happens to Tannehill depends on how Winston performs in the three final games for the Steamrollers. If he shows a lot of promise, we could see Tannehill free to go in free agency. If there is doubt, however, and Winston struggles, then New England may well scramble to provide Tannehill with an acceptable extension to his original contract.

For Tannehill, the situation must be very frustrating, with his future determined not by his own play, but by the play of a competitor. For Winston, this is the chance to rehabilitate his image, shaking off the “bust” tag that emerged in Tampa Bay, and once again claiming a starting job in the pros. And for New England, who are likely to also give more time to several additional younger players over the next 3 weeks, it is an audition to see if they have caught lightning in a bottle or if they need to reevaluate the most important position on the field.

Two teams are in, both now assured a division crown, as the 11-2 Tampa Bay Bandits, winners of the Southeast Division for a second year running, are joined by the Seattle Dragons, who may have lost to rival Los Angeles this week, but whose 10-3 record now puts them 3 games ahead of any division rival with only 3 to play. Yes, a collapse could allow either Oakland or LA to catch them in the standings, but the tiebreakers all go Seattle’s way, to such a degree that the title is now assured.

Behind the two frontrunners for 1-seeds is a cluster of teams all vying for position or to gain a berth in the next 3 weeks. Each conference has a pair of 9-4 teams, New Jersey and Birmingham in the East, Chicago and Denver in the West, followed by several 8-5 teams and several more at 7-6. With most divisions other than the Pacific and Southeast currently showing only a 1-game margin between first and second place, we may not see another “-y” next to a team any time soon, but we do expect to start seeing some “-x” designations as several teams have a chance to get at least a Wild Card sewn up before their divisions are settled.

The other big story this week on the playoff front is the elimination of 6 more teams, bringing the total to 8 of the 30 USFL franchises. Sitting at 4-9, now 4 games behind the 6^th and final Wild Card in the East, New England and New Orleans now join the Bulls and winless Monarchs as teams out of the playoff hunt. In the West, 4 teams all joined that group this week, with 3-10 San Diego joined by a trio of 4-9 teams in St. Louis, Oklahoma, and Portland. A Wild Card is out of the question for all 4, though there is still a chance to play spoiler in their final 3 games.

With teams in vital playoff push games this week, even a 1-week injury could be huge. Atlanta knows that and will be hard-pressed to put points on the board with Aaron Murray and now WR Kelvin Benjamin both out in Week 15. Seattle will be without Deshon Hall, but they have perhaps the deepest CB group in the league to help them cope. Baltimore may struggle to pressure the QB with Da’Quan Bowers expected to miss the rest of the regular season, while Michigan is hoping that LeVeon Bell can go this week as they face Ohio.

OUT

DE          Dion Jordan              POR      Fractured Arm            2-4 Weeks

DE          Da’Quan Bowers            BAL        Abdominal Tear               2-4 Weeks

CB          Michael Jackson             ORL       Neck                              2-4 Weeks

DE          Deshon Hall                SEA        Collarbone                   2-4 Weeks

WR         Kelvin Benjamin              ATL         Abdominal Strain           1-2 Weeks

OT          Rashawn Slater               PIT         Hernia                             1-2 Weeks

LB           Ramik Wilson                 HOU     Hamstring                    1-2 Weeks

G            Nick Easton                  NE          Covid Protocol                 1 Week

CB          Kevon Seymour             OHI       Covid Protocol                 1 Week

DOUBTFUL

G            Nick Allegretti                  CHI        Foot

DE          Jerry Hughes                  ARZ       Hand

QUESTIONABLE

TE           Rob Gronkowski             PIT         Concussion

OT          Jonah Williams              SD          Hand

OT          Tyson Clabo                   LV           Eye

HB         LeVeon Bell                  MGN     Shoulder

Are LeBeau, Lathon, and LaFleur Safe or Scared?

Too many L’s, that is the problem for three “L” coaches, Dick LeBeau, Lamar Lathon, and Brian LaFleur. Each has at least 4 years with their club, with LeBeau in year 8 and Lathon the senior man with 10 seasons behind him. But with all three already removed from playoff contention and looking at a 10-loss season, what are the odds that these three coaches could become Black Monday sacrifices.

Brian LaFleur (POR)

LaFleur’s position seems the most precarious. He is only in his 4^th year and at 4-9 it looks like the Stags are all but assured a 10-loss season, his second in 4 years. And while the Stags have also had two 9-7 seasons in LaFleur’s tenure, a one-time trip as a Wild Card and a quick one-and-done departure are likely not enough to keep their coach for a fifth season. What is perhaps more damaging for LaFleur is that he came to Portland with an offensive pedigree, ostensibly signed to mentor QB Marcus Mariota and yet the Stag offense is stagnating, sitting at 25^th in scoring and a nasty 27^th in rushing. Yes, Mariota has improved, securing a 111.9 rating in 11 games last year, but a dip back into the high 80’s this year, and with 15 picks in 13 games, the results are just not there. VERDICT: Almost certainly receiving a pink slip on Black Monday.

Dick LeBeau (SD)

LeBeau’s resume is certainly stronger than LaFleur’s. this is a coach who racked up 4 consecutive 10+ win seasons and 4 straight playoff appearances in San Diego (2016-2019), but after last year’s collapse at 3-13, the Thunder again are sitting on 3 wins this year. Do we think the Thunder will accept a 2^nd straight 10-loss season and not want a change? LeBeau is known as a defensive guru, but the Thunder rank 27^th in the league, giving up 25.2 points per game this year. We think that is going to be seen as a failing in the coach’s main area of expertise, and rightly so.

VERDICT: We think San Diego will go another way, both at GM and in the Head Coach position.

Lamar Lathon (NOR)

Over 9 seasons, Lathon has amassed a 95-48-1 record and has taken the Breakers to the postseason every single season, a remarkable feat. Add to that a league title, the first and only in the 39-season history of the Breakers, and you have a pretty strong case for a Mulligan. So, what do we make of their drop from 11-5 in 2020 to a current tally of 4 wins? Is one bad year enough to force a change in the Big Easy, or does Lathon, as a former star player for the club and a very successful coach, get the benefit of the doubt? We think he has to. The Breakers have the talent to rebound in 2022, and Lathon has proven to be a solid coach with a strong record of success.

VERDICT: Lathon will get a shot to rebound in 2022.

Season Awards Could be Real Races

With only 3 weeks left in a season, we usually have a really firm grasp of who is going to come away with the individual awards in the USFL. From MVP to Rookie of the Year, we would normally know who the voters will go with after 13 games, but this year is proving a challenge. In pretty much every one of the 5 major USFL honors, there is a debate, and a pretty balanced field of top contenders, so which way will the final weeks of the season break? And who will step up to claim their spot as the best of the 2021 Season? Here is our look at the 5 major USFL awards and where the race stands with each.

MVP: Josh Allen, Cam Newton, Jalen Hurts, or Colt McCoy?

We know that the MVP will be a quarterback, it almost always is and without another position putting up a potential record-breaking season, we think the pattern will stick. But, after 13 games there are good arguments to be made for multiple players, and we are not at all sure who wins out. Of these four names, all of whom have their arguments, we think that two may be fading.

Cam Newton’s injury means he can do nothing for the next 3 weeks to rally his team or to bolster his numbers. He was likely the frontrunner after 10 weeks, but that injury, paired with Tim Tebow’s success in relief, makes his case a tough one. Jalen Hurts certainly has the numbers, with over 3,400 yards and 26 touchdowns, but the Outlaws have 4 wins and are eliminated from playoff position, so how can we say his contribution has been the most valuable of any player in the league? That leaves Josh Allen and Colt McCoy. McCoy will get some sentimental vote towards a “lifetime achievement award”, after all, 2021 is just the latest in a long run of strong statistical years. McCoy has not had a season with fewer than 3,000 passing yards, 24 TDs or a QB rating below 90 since 2016. This year’s numbers (4,165 yards, 28 TDs, 12 Ints, and a 98.6 QBR) are among the best of his career. Add to that Houston’s rating as the top passing team in the league and their strong playoff position, and we could see McCoy getting the nod. But don’t count Allen out either. Yes, his fast start has tapered off a bit, but his numbers remain impressive: 3,518 passing yards in 13 games, 28 TDs, 12 picks, and a 108.3 QBR. Allen’s Denver Gold are also one of the surprise teams of the season, sitting atop the SW Division at 9-4, and that is largely due to the success their QB has found in his 4^th season. We think McCoy has the edge (in numbers and public awareness), but it would not surprise us if Allen got the award if Denver holds on to win the division.

OPOTY: Knowshon Moreno, Golden Tate, or the 2^nd Place MVP Votegetter at QB?

The award for offensive player of the year is typically the award for the best offensive player who is not a QB. But we have seen years in which the 2^nd place votegetter for the MVP award walks away with OPOTY as a consolation prize. So, it is perfectly viable that either McCoy or Allen could snatch this award away from the best back or receiver of the season. Or, how about this for a take, Allen misses out on MVP, but they give the OPOTY to his favorite target, veteran WR Golden Tate? Tate is having the best season of his illustrious career, with over 1,250 yards and 60 receptions in 13 games, not to mention a league best 13 receiving touchdowns. In a way, giving Tate the OPOTY is a way to recognize Allen while still giving McCoy his due as MVP.

But, before we get too focused on Denver, we have to acknowledge that in any other year the clear frontrunner would be Seattle tailback Knowshon Moreno. After 3 straight OPOTY victories by LeVeon Bell, and with the Michigan back dropping all the way to 10^th in the latest rushing stats, Moreno has become the new face of the run game in the USFL. A back with 13 grueling seasons behind him, Moreno is on pace for a personal best in yardage, and could make a run at 1,400 yards. He has 10 TDs and could beat his personal best from last season (11) with a strong finish, and, perhaps most impressive for a back who turned 32 this year, he is doing it by averaging 4.7 yards per carry, the best among any back with more than 40 touches. We love the season Moreno has put together, and with Seattle as the top seed in the West, the Dragons and their star back deserve this one.

DPOTY: Defensive ends Montez Sweat, J. J. Watt, Calais Campbell, or LB Kahlil Mack

Perhaps more than any award other than MVP, the DPOTY tends to be a mix of statistical excellence and team impact. How else could you explain the fact that Calais Campbell missed out on the title during years when the Renegades were not a playoff squad, despite his dominance as a pass rusher. We keep Campbell in the mix this year because he has worked his way into the Top 5 in sacks once again, but it does seem that he will not be able to catch Montez Sweat this year, making it the first in more than a decade where someone else’s name will top the leaderboard. That alone makes Sweat a major contender for the award. Add to that a nice run in the 2^nd half of the season that has Orlando right in the playoff mix, and the Renegades’ newest edge rushing dynamo has to be considered a frontrunner for the award. In Memphis, J. J. Watt had a fast start, but the wear and tear of a USFL season hot on the heels of his last NFL season has started to take effect, with Watt clearly slowing down and dealing with some injury issues the past month. That leaves only one darkhorse, and again it is a case of a player who is certainly gifted, but who is also on a team that seems to be on a fast track to a Summer Bowl appearance, Seattle LB Khalil Mack.

Mack is not going to lead the league in tackles, a category often won by a player on a bad team that simply gives up more offensive plays, producing more tackles. He won’t lead the league in picks or sacks either, as LB’s never do, but when you put the three major defensive stats together, there is no one who is excelling as a tackler, pass rusher, and coverage linebacker quite like Khalil Mack. In his 8^th season, Mack leads the Dragons with 3 interceptions, despite the quality of their secondary. He is 2^nd on the team with 9 sacks, but Chris Long, who leads the Dragons, only came over a few weeks ago from Washington, so in actual sacks for the Dragons, Khalil is again first. Oh, and with 69 tackles, he is only 5 behind team leader Josh Allen. He has a real chance to finish the season atop the team leaderboard in all three categories, and his team is currently 10-3, a division winner, and a clear favorite for the 1-seed. We think that could make him a darling of voters.

ROTY: QBs Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, HB Travis Etienne, or DE Odafe Oweh?

We all went into the season thinking that Lawrence was the odds-on favorite, and he certainly has had a good statistical year for a rookie QB, throwing for over 3,000 yards and on pace for well over 20 TDs, but, with the Bulls mired at 4-9 and their offense ranked only 17^th in passing, the numbers are just not strong enough, not with the kind of games we have seen from Justin Fields in Ohio.

Fields not only has the Glory in the playoff mix at 7-6, but has had some games that were pure highlight reels. The only major knock is that Fields has been mediocre as a passer and only shows up as a dynamic leader when he uses his feet. The former Ohio State dual threat has only 2,337 passing yards after 13 starts, and his TD:INT is not good at 9:12. His rating is 64.4, which is a rating that often gets QBs benched. But, when we look at him as a rusher, the numbers pop: 130 attempts for 733 yards, an 5.6 YPC average and 10 rushing TDs. That is a strong resume for a rookie halfback, much less a starting QB. But, what if the passing numbers drag him down, who then?

Many will point to Washington HB Travis Etienne. That makes sense, as the former Clemson Tiger has 905 yards after 13 games, with a real chance to hit 1,200 as a rookie. He also has 10 total TDs (9 rushing) and is clearly a focal point of the Federal offense. But, we have someone else in mind, a bit of a dark horse, but clearly a player who has had a highly impactful first year. That 4^th name is Denver Gold DE Odafe Oweh. The former Penn State LB/DE hybrid has been a revelation for the Gold, racking up 19 sacks in 13 games, good enough to be tied for 2^nd in the league and only 4 behind league leader Montez Sweat. If wins and losses are part of the equation, and impact for a team is also counted, we think Oweh needs major consideration.

COTY: Robert Saleh, John Hufnagel, Todd Haley, Mike Riley, or Ron Rivera

We always say that this award goes to the coach who gets more out of his roster than most predicted. Well, this year there are a lot of cases to be made with that criteria in mind. On the one hand, you have teams that have exceeded expectations even as teams some expected to compete for the playoffs, as is the situation with Mike Riley in Seattle or New Jersey’s Robert Saleh. But the other hand holds coaches leading teams that were not seen as contenders, but are now in the mix, such as Birmingham’s Todd Haley or Denver’s John Hufnagel. Our final pick is a coach who many thought might be on the verge of being let go, Orlando’s Ron Rivera. After a 4-4 start, many were critical of Rivera and the underachieving Renegades, but the 2^nd half of the season has seen Orlando get very much in the mix, going 4-1 and now very much a team to be reckoned with as the playoffs approach. Honestly, we think the voters will likely be looking at Hufnagel and Haley simply because their teams were not well-respected ahead of the season and both now have a chance to win their divisions.

Tampa Bay Bandits to Alter Look for 2022

With the Bandits locked in and ready for the 2021 playoffs, the club was ready to reveal their new Under Armour look, safe in the knowledge that they would be donning the gear a bit early. The USFL tradition of teams switching to their new gear in the playoffs prior to the official debut season is one well-established, and one the Bandits expect to uphold as they gear up for the 2021 playoffs.

At an event at the famous Don Cesar hotel in St. Petersburg, the Bandits and Under Armour unveiled the new look for the defending USFL champions. Not to worry, Bandit fans, it is a look that very much pays homage to the team’s 39 USFL seasons and their 4 league titles. The Bandits mixed innovation with trademarks from their past to design the new look. The helmet is one very familiar to Bandit fans, with the traditional silver-grey shell and grey facemask. The traditional striping and the masked rider will be very familiar. Where fans will see a difference is in the new striping on the jersey and pant sets as Under Armor took the traditional 5-stripe pattern (black-white-red-white-black) found on the helmet and gave it a new twist, with the familiar pattern now appearing as angled horizontal stripes on both the grey pant set and both the red and white jerseys, not as a sleeve stripe, but along the ribs. The sleeves of both jerseys will feature the familiar monogram logo with black hat and no striping. The numbers are either red or white with silver and black piping and a black shadow.

The look is one that is both new, in the way stripes are aligned, but also deeply tied to the look that Tampa Bay has worn since the league’s inaugural season. However, if there are Bandit fans that hanker for a more traditional look, they will certainly be happy with the club’s 1983 Throwback look. The original look of the Bandits, including their 1983 logo and the traditional sleeve and pant striping, will be a very welcome and familiar look for Bandit nation.

The final alternate look, known as the “Midnight Rider” will also be one from Tampa Bay’s past, modeled after a short-lived alternate look the Bandits experimented with in the early 1990’s. The all-black design features the team’s secondary Bandit logo on the black helmet, outlined in silver. The black jersey and pants replicate the new striping pattern on the team’s primaries, but with no use of white, using only red and silver striping. The numbers also avoid white, with silver numbers piped in black and red. It is a look we expect to see only when the Bandits play at night, considering that the all black look would hardly be a good idea in the hot summer sun of a June or July day game.

Expect the Bandits to debut the new red jersey primary look when they open the playoffs, almost certainly playing as a home team. If they are able to lock up the 1-seed, that game will be in the Divisional Round, which feels pretty much like a safe bet considering the 10-3 Bandits are 2 games up on both New Jersey and Birmingham for the 1-seed and have only 3 games left on the schedule.

A week for teams to either make a stand or fade away. It is not hard to see why as we have so many teams at either 7-6 or 6-7 and only a couple can have a real shot at a playoff berth. We kick off on Friday with 4 teams, all at 7-6, and all hoping they can make a late run to reach 10 wins. On NBC it will be the Blitz heading to Pittsburgh to take on the Maulers. This used to be a divisional game but is now an interconference matchup, but one that is vital to both teams. The ESPN/EFN game is also an interconference game, but with both LA and Atlanta at 7-6, this is a must-win for both teams.

The drama will continue on Saturday, where we start with the first of 6 divisional matchups. Michigan, sitting at 8-5 and winners of 3 in a row, head down to Ohio to face the 7-6 Glory. Yes, a great battle of rivals built off the enmity of the two states, but also a vital playoff-defining game for both clubs. A win by Michigan and they are all but assured a playoff spot and a shot at Chicago for 1^st place. Ohio needs the win to stay in the mix in the Central. We will also have 6-7 Memphis hoping to upset 8-5 Philadelphia and return to .500. The NBC Saturday night game will also provide some playoff drama, with 9-4 Chicago facing 9-4 New Jersey in a clash of teams defined by their tenacious play.

Sunday features 4 divisional games, though none have two playoff seeking squads facing off. Washington is still alive at 6-7, as they host the 4-8 Steamrollers (with new QB Jameis Winston), while the 8-5 Renegades and 9-4 Stallions hope wins over Charlotte and San Antonio will boost their playoff positions. Finally, at 4pm, we have Oakland, sitting at 7-6, hoping a win in San Diego keeps them in the mix. But in what will likely be the most watched game this weekend, we have a nightcap on Sunday that could produce some real fireworks, as the Houston Gamblers head to Tampa Bay to face the Bandits. This game will have two of the most prolific offenses in the league going head-to-head, so we expect a lot of big plays and a real “shootout” atmosphere.

FRI @ 8pm ET         Baltimore (7-6) @ Pittsburgh (7-6)                     NBC

FRI @ 8pm ET        Los Angeles (7-6) @ Atlanta (7-6)                     ESPN/EFN

SAT @ 12pm ET      Michigan (8-5) @ Ohio (7-6)                             ABC

SAT @ 12pm ET      Memphis (6-7) @ Philadelphia (8-5)               FOX

SAT @ 4pm ET        Oklahoma (4-9) @ St. Louis (4-9)                 ABC

SAT @ 4pm ET     Jacksonville (4-9) @ Seattle (10-3)                 FOX

SAT @ 8pm ET      Chicago (9-4) @ New Jersey (9-4)                     NBC

SAT @ 8pm ET      Arizona (8-5) @ Las Vegas (5-8)                       ESPN/EFN

SUN @ 12pm ET     New England (4-9) @ Washington (6-7)         ABC Regional

SUN @ 12pm ET   Orlando (8-5) @ Charlotte (0-13)                   ABC Regional

SUN @ 12pm ET     San Antonio (5-8) @ Birmingham (9-4)          FOX

SUN @ 4pm ET        New Orleans (4-9) @ Dallas (7-6)                    ABC

SUN @ 4pm ET       Denver (9-4) @ Portland (4-9)                       FOX Regional

SUN @ 4pm ET        Oakland (7-6) @ San Diego (3-10)                   FOX Regional

SUN @ 8pm ET        Houston (8-5) @ Tampa Bay (11-2)                  ESPN/EFN