2022 USFL Week 4 Recap: Two Unbeatens, Two Winless Remain
- USFL LIVES
- 2 hours ago
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Two unbeatens remain, and on the opposite end of the standings, two winless clubs. The expansion Gunslingers knock off the expansion Steamrollers so that all 4 teams at the top and the bottom now reside in the West. Chicago and Arizona continue to impress while Pittsburgh and Las Vegas have yet to taste victory. As we reach the ¼ mark of the season, we will unveil our first Power Rankings of the season, review all the Week 4 action, reveal 3 more names on our 40 Greatest list, and take a look at what Week 5 has on tap. We start it all off with a common topic a month into the season, quarterback play and which signal callers may now be on a very short leash as their teams struggle. No easy answers when your offense is not humming, and changing the QB tends to be a first step for many coaches, so who is in the unenviable position of playing under scrutiny and who is safe for now? That is our Big Story for the week.
QB Questions: Will Bortles, Hackenberg, or Wentz Be Pulled?
The idea of a change at quarterback to spark an offense and a team that is struggling is about as old as the game of football itself. So it is not surprising that teams who have started off with a winless first month, and those sitting at 1-3 are starting to feel pressure to make a move. Looking across the league, we have 11 teams sitting at 1-3 or 0-4, and while not all of them are looking at their squad and wondering if the QB position is a concern, there certainly are plenty who are. Among the teams with the biggest issues at QB we find 0-4 Pittsburgh, 0-4 Las Vegas, 1-3 Philadelphia, 1-3 San Diego, and 1-3 Portland.
Within that group, we know that Pittsburgh will be getting Andy Dalton back from injury, and likely will return to the veteran despite some solid outings from rookie Kenny Pickett. We also don’t think Coach Harbaugh wants to go away from Marcus Mariota if his Week 1 starter can stay healthy. We know this because in action this year, backup A. J. McCarron has been, well, pretty ugly, with a 49.2 QBR and more picks than touchdowns. When healthy, Mariota has been very solid, with a 102.3 QBR and a 6:2 touchdown to interception ratio. So, if healthy, we think Portland sticks with Mariota. But what about the others?
Las Vegas sits at 0-4 and has the league’s 2nd worst points per game average, but is that Matt McGloin’s fault? The QB is sitting on a pretty healthy 90.3 QBR, is averaging over 220 yards per game, and has 7 touchdowns with only 2 picks. Whatever the struggles of the Vipers to put points on the board, we are not sure that a jump to Gardner Minshew is the answer. Fans may want a change just to see if it can spark a turnaround, but we are not seeing it as a silver bullet solution and we don’t think Coach Landry sees it that way either.
The case for staying under center is not so strong for 1-3 Philadelphia, where Carson Wentz is struggling to make plays and avoid turnovers. The lanky redhead has over 900 yards passing, but has also thrown 7 picks to only 5 touchdowns, giving him a QBR of 69.2, which is not a number that inspires job security. The Stars are 27th in points per game, but their yards per game are not bad, 14th overall (332 per game) and 14th in passing (230.8 per game). But, perhaps the saving grace for Wentz, despite his issues so far, is that backup Ryan Lindley is not exactly seen as a viable option. Yes, Lindley has seen some action, including 4 starts in 2020, but he has not exactly lit up the league when given a chance. And would Philadlephia give former Penn Stater Trace McSorely a shot? It seems unlikely since McSorely has been in the league for 3 years and has yet to throw a regular season pass. So, Wentz may not be popular with the notoriously opinionated Philadelphia fanbase, but there may just not be an alternative for the Stars right now.
The situation in San Diego is far more fluid, with many believing that Christian Hackenberg is not the answer and that former Outlaw Mason Rudolph deserves a chance to turn things around. Hackenberg has started all 4 games for the Thunder, earning a win over Portland in Week 3, but with a 79.0 rating and a 55.6% completion rate, there are arguments for giving Rudolph a shot. Rudolph’s last extensive action as a starter came 2 years ago with the Outlaws, getting 11 starts and producing 2,480 yards, 11 touchdowns to 8 picks, and a pretty solid 85.9 rating. Coach Becht has been standing by Hackenberg so far, but we suspect that pressure will be mounting on the 1-3 coach to try something and try it soon.
Finally, there is Blake Bortles in Memphis. But wait, you say, Memphis is not one of the 0-4 or even 1-3 teams. They have won their last 2 and are now at .500, why would we be gunning for Blake Bortles? Well, while it is true that the Showboats have had back-to-back wins, and we don’t expect Coach Ryan to make a move at QB while Memphis is winning games, we can also read the stat lines and Blake Bortles is not exactly producing the numbers that show us he is the man in Memphis. He has 684 yards in 4 games, that is well below 200 yards a game, has thrown 7 picks to only 3 touchdowns, and is sitting at a 56.9 QB rating, the worst of any player who has started 2 or more games. Now, it is true that 6 of Bortles’ 7 picks came in the two losses to open the season, so perhaps we need to lighten up on the former Jacksonville Jaguar. Maybe he just needed to knock the rust off and get back to playing solid football.
In the wins over Birmingham and Philadelphia he has not exactly been lighting it up (83 yards on 10 of 25 against Birmingham, 168 yards on 17 of 26 against Philly) but he has been protecting the ball better, managing the game more effectively, and avoiding the huge mistakes. So, perhaps he gets some more time to see if he can stay out of trouble. The Showboats have a tough 2nd quarter ahead, with Seattle, New Orleans and Houston all on the schedule (along with a home game against the 1-3 Jacksonville Bulls). If Bortles can keep Memphis in the mix at 4-4 or even 5-3 at the midway point, we think he stays at the helm, but if the Showboats start to flounder again, well, B. J. Daniels is in the wings and we have seen him do some very good things as a member of the Tampa Bay Bandits.
CHARLOTTE MONARCHS 20 TAMPA BAY BANDITS 23
It is hard to imagine that many went into this weekend thinking that the Monarchs-Bandits game would end up as our Game of the Week. The line from Vegas was -13 for the homestanding Bandits and nearly all predictions had the spread larger than that. After all, this was the 2-time defending league champions, sporting one of the most feared offensive attacks in the the USFL going up against a Monarch team, that, while somewhat rebuilt after their 2021 campaign, was coming off a 1-15 season and had already lost by 11 to these Bandits in Charlotte. The expectation was for a blowout, which is one reason why the game was limited to regional coverage on FOX rather than a national game or a prime time game.
And yet, as they say, that is why they play the games. Inspiration, motivation, and a few good bounces can change the storyline of any game far from what we see on paper headed up until kickoff. The Monarchs came in motivated to play their best, inspired by an upset win over Atlanta the week before (though many credit their 10-9 victory on the injury to Atlanta QB Aaron Murray more than to good play on Charlotte’s part) and the bounces broke in their way, helping this seeming mismatch become one of the more dramatic games of the week.
The game started very slowly, which was just what Charlotte coach Brian Daboll was hoping for. The Monarch defense played well in the first quarter, holding Tampa Bay to only 1 first down and keeping them in third and long, which produced 3 failed third down conversions, a very good start in what would be a 3 of 10 conversion rate in the game for Tampa Bay. But, as the Charlotte defense was keying on Dak Prescott (3 first quarter sacks) and holding Bandit Ball at bay, the Monarch offense was not doing much better. Charlotte had two 3-and-outs and a 5-play “drive” that led to 3 punts, and so the opening period ended with a scoreless tie, certainly not what was expected, and certainly good enough for Charlotte to feel good.
Charlotte would feel a lot better as the second quarter progressed. Their success began with a converted 3rd down, a nice throw from Paxton Lynch to rookie Drake London that helped Charlotte move into Tampa Bay territory for the first time in the game. On the very next play, HB Nyheim Hines broke through the Bandit line for a 13-yard run and the Monarchs were closing in on scoring range for their offense. The drive benefit from a defensive holding call to again provide a new set of downs, and another nice throw from Lynch, this time to TE Brandon Pettigrew that took the ball to the Tampa Bay 6.
It appeared Charlotte would be able to punch the ball in for a score, but on 3 attempts from inside the 6, the Monarchs were stymied, and when faced with a 4th and goal, Coach Daboll opted to go for the psychological boost of having points on the board, sending out kicker Stephen Earl and taking a 3-0 lead on a chipshot field goal.
That conservative approach would reap benefits only 3 plays later. Tampa Bay took the kickoff back to the 19, gained 3 on a Dalvin Cook run, were stuffed behind the line on 2nd and 7, and faced a 3rd and 8 from the 21. Dak Prescott took the shotgun snap, got immediate pressure from Monarch DE Chandler Jones and tried to get the ball out to Ryan Grant, but cornerback Reggie Daniels, with safety help behind him, jumped the route, cut in front of Grant and scampered 26 yards to the endzone with a crowd-silencing pick-six. The stunned crowd of just over 47,000 stood silently as the Monarchs celebrated their 10-0 lead.
Five minutes later, after another stagnant drive from the Bandits, the Monarchs would boost that lead to 13-0 on a second Earl field goal. The Bandits needed a spark and Coach Trestman found just the play to provide it. The momentum-shifting play came on a 1st and 10 with the Bandits on their own 45. Dak Prescott faked the ball to Dalvin Cook, and with both Grant and Bryant flying from the left side to the right corner, the safeties trailed, leaving TE Jordan Cameron in single coverage with LB Brian Asamoah, a mismatch that everyone from the announcers to the waterboy recognized. Dak Prescott saw it as well, throwing a dart to Cameron, who easily outpaced Asamoah, turning upfield with the safeties too far to catch him before he reached the 10. With a quick shift as they approached, Cameron altered the angle of approach and delayed their tackle until he was able to cross the plane and put 6 on the board for the Bandits, a 55-yard TD strike.
That play sparked the Bandits. They would add a field goal just before the half, and Charlotte was now in a much more precarious position, up only 13-10 during the break. When the Monarchs failed to make a first down on the 3rd quarter’s opening drive, the crowd sensed that the game had shifted their way. They would cheer on the Bandits as they found another big play, putting aside the slow drive building they had attempted in the first half. It was a wheel route to backup HB Matt Breida. The back, known for his speed, blew past the coverage, down the sideline and Tampa Bay took their first lead of the day 17-13 with another big play, this time 56 yards.
Down 17-13 as the final period began, Charlotte could have folded up shop. Even moreso after the Bandits added a Harrison Butker field goal to take a 20-13 lead, but to their credit, Charlotte kept fighting. The Monarchs just needed a break, and they would get one after DE Joseph Ossai wrestled Dak Prescott to the ground on a 3rd and 8, producing a 4th and 14 and a Tampa Bay punt with 2:01 left to play. Charlotte would get the ball back at the 2-minute warning down only 7. But, things would work out even better for the Monarchs as quick pressure up the middle on the punt caused Matt Araiza, the rookie punter to try an awkward running punt, one which immediately sliced out of bounds for only a 19-yard kick. Charlotte would have the ball at their own 48 after the miskick.
The Monarchs, seeing the opportunity, moved methodically, with Latavious Murray, who would finish with only 34 yards on the day, getting his best 2 runs on the drive, runs of 8 and 6 yards, both on first down draws from the shotgun. Those set up easier 2nd and 3rd down throws for Lynch, who finished the game with a respectable 28 of 41 and 221 yards. Lynch would connect with Austin Proehl to get the ball to the Bandit 33, then Drake London to the 17. After a nice run by Hines, the ball was at the 3 with 53 seconds to play. And here is where a strategic mistake may have hurt the Monarchs.
With a 1st and goal at the 3 and 53 seconds left, conventional wisdom is that you run the ball at least twice to burn some clock, then throw on 3rd if needed. Of course, Tampa Bay knew this as well, but Coach Daboll wanted the score far more than he wanted to burn clock, and he knew the Bandits would play the run, so he called a play action pass on 1st and goal. The call worked, with Lynch finding backup TE Kaden Smith wide open in the flat. The Monarchs had the score they needed. Daboll went for the tie and overtime, hoping momentum was his. But he left 47 seconds on the clock against a team that had proven it could make big plays against his secondary.
It was a classic error of strategy, scoring too fast against a team that could win with a field goal and had the weapons to do it . When the Bandits took the field after the touchback, the stadium was alive with energy, a confidence among the fans that their Bandits could get in range for Butker and pull out this game without overtime. It was a confidence built over two seasons of making the plays needed to win, and it would prove itself well warranted.
Dak Prescott wasted no time, finding Breida out of the backfield again for a 9-yard game and a quick step out of bounds. That was followed by Dez Bryant’s 5th catch on the day, an in-cutting route 13 yards down the field. Yes, the Bandits would have to burn their 2nd timeout, but they were quickly approaching Butker’s range. After throwing the ball away on 1st and 10, Prescott found Jordan Cameron for a quick hitter to put the ball on the Charlotte 46, then on 2nd and 4, found Bryant again. Charlotte was in a classic coverage zone, too deep perhaps, but hoping to keep the ball in the middle of the field and force Tampa Bay to use their last time out. That part worked, but what did not was the missed tackle on Bryant, one which allowed him to stretch out to the Charlotte 29 before going down. With the clock ticking, the Bandits raced to the line, with Dak spiking the ball, saving the final timeout. Second and 10 from the 29 with 13 seconds to play.
On 2nd down, Prescott took the snap, centered the ball and took a knee. It would be 3rd and 12 from the 31, providing Butker with a 48-yard kick for overtime. If he missed, well, overtime, so with no pressure that the game could be lost on his foot, Butker walked out confidently, took his swing, and sent the ball just inside the right upright as the final seconds ticked away.
It was a classic win by a team that had learned how to do just that, to calmly work the game and find its path to victory. Charlotte had put up a fight and likely ruined the day of many a gambler who took the spread or the over, but in the end, their lack of experience showed. They scored too quickly, admittedly a tough decision, but one that hurt them against a team as confident and well-practiced in pressure football as the Bandits.
JACKSONVILLE 14 ORLANDO 38
The Bulls’ offense, thought to be their strength heading into the season, continues to struggle as they put up only 2 scores on Orlando, despite Trevor Lawrence going 20 of 29. Russell Wilson had a strong outing in this one, throwing for 305 yards and finding Brashad Perriman for a score, but the day belonged to Chris Carson, who averaged 6.9 yards on his way to 117 yards, with 2 TDs thrown in for good measure. Former Bear Tarik Cohen added another score as Orlando improved to 2-2 ahead of their big match with Tampa Bay on Friday Night.
POTG: Renegade tailback Chris Carson: 17 Att, 117 Yds, 2 TD, 4 Rec, 53 Yds
ARIZONA 28 DALLAS 24
The Roughnecks put up a great fight, taking a 24-21 lead early in the 4th, but the Wranglers proved too tough, marching the ball down the field in the final minutes before Ryan Nassib (17/30, 276 Yds, 2 TD, 3 Int) found TE Robert Tonyan for the game winner with 1:31 left to play. Nassib had suffered 3 picks in the game, with one returned 39 yards for a TD by Jamal Adams, but the Wrangler D helped overcome that with a pick-six of their own, a 60-yard pick and return that kept the Wranglers hot on the Roughnecks’ heels.
POTG: Wrangler TE Robert Tonyan: 6 Rec, 46 Yds, 2 TD
MICHIGAN 20 ST. LOUIS 35
Panther fans are getting nervous with their team’s 1-3 start, falling to another division foe as St. Louis, behind a 101-yard, 2-TD day from HB John Conner, excite the home crowd with a big divisional win. Lamar Jackson played only 1 half before an injury took him out, but Tyrod Taylor again proved to be one of the most valuable backups in the league, finding Deionte Johnson for a 21-yard score in the third, giving the Skyhawks a 28-6 lead. A pick-six from Tyree Gillespie made it 35-6 and St. Louis coasted from there, improving their record to a surprising 3-1 on the year.
POTG: St. Louis tailback John Conner: 12 Att, 101 Yds, 2 TD
WASHINGTON 19 BALTIMORE 14
The Feds take home the Beltway Brawl as they build up a 19-0 lead over 3 quarters before giving up some late scores to Jake Locker and the Blitz. Jacoby Brissett found both Tyreek Hill and Keenan Allen for scoring tosses and the defense sacked Locker 4 times and held Josh Jacobs under 100 yards to help Washington even their record at 2-2 after the season’s first month.
POTG: Federal QB Jacoby Brissett: 20/36, 259 Yds, 2 TD, 1 Int
NEW ENGLAND 21 SAN ANTONIO 38
The battle of 2020 expansion clubs goes to the home team, knocking New England from the ranks of the unbeaten and leaving both teams with 3-1 records. San Antonio proved they could run the ball with the 3-headed HB group combining for 166 yards on the day (Mostert 20 for 65, Gordon 13 for 67, and Stevenson 5 for 34) with 4 combined TDs among them. The Steamrollers ran the ball well also, with Hall and Yeldon combining for 124 yards, but New England lost both the time of possession and turnover battles and that was enough for San Antonio to get the W.
POTG: Gunslinger CB Jaquan Johnson: 10 Tck, 1 PDef, 1 FF
PITTSBURGH 17 SEATTLE 34
Kenny Pickett’s career record now drops to 0-3 as the Maulers fall again. Seattle QB Brett Hundley threw for 2 scores, both Wendell Smallwood and Knowshon Moreno added scores as well, and Seattle cruised to a 17-point victory at home. The lone bright spot for Pittsburgh was the play of WR Adam Thielen, who had 7 catches for 130 yards and 2 scores for the Maulers.
POTG: Seattle CB Richard Sherman: 7 Tck, 5 PDef
NEW JERSEY 9 DENVER 24
With the Gold run game finally taking shape (Lindsay & Wilson combined for 108 yards and 2 scores), Josh Allen did not have to do it on his own. Allen threw only 16 passes, completing 13 for 265 yards and a TD to, who else? Golden Tate. Tate finished the week as our POTW after burning All-USFL corner Aqib Talib for 197 yards, including an 87-yard catch and run. The Denver D did their part as well, forcing 2 fumbles and picking of Teddy Bridgewater in a very nice statement game for the 2021 SW Division champs, evening their record at 2-2 on the year.
POTG: Gold WR Golden Tate: 7 rec, 197 Yds, 1 TD
LOS ANGELES 9 NEW ORLEANS 24
Kyler Murray struggled, completing only 14 of 35 attempts with 7 sacks as the Breaker D teed off on the uncertain Express line. Meanwhile, Geno Smith threw for 303 yards, DeMarco Murray added 78 on the ground, and the Breakers turned a 10-9 halftime lead into a 15-point victory with two late touchdowns.
POTG: Breaker HB DeMarco Murray: 16 Att, 78 Yds, 1 Td, 2 Rec, 45 Yds
MEMPHIS 32 PHILADELPHIA 10
The Showboats win their 2nd in a row as they dismantle Philadelphia at the Linc. Down 10-6 at the half, Memphis would rattle off 24 unanswered points in an embarrassing 2nd half for the Stars. They were greatly aided by 4 Carson Wentz picks in the half, a rough outing to be sure, but kudos also to the Showboat secondary, as 4 different players took advantage of Wentz.
POTG: Showboat CB Josh Jackson: 3 Tck, 3 PDef, 1 Int, 1 DefTD
PORTLAND 24 BIRMINGHAM 43
The Stallions put 43 points on the board and 30 of them we can attribute directly to, you guessed it, Cam Newton. Newton threw for 4 scores and rushed for another as the Stallion attack was just too much for Portland to handle. The homestanding Stallions outpaced the Stags 419 yards to 257, including 171 yards on the ground, a total boosted by Newton’s 106 yards on 10 official carries.
POTG: Birmingham QB Cam Newton: 19/29, 248 Yds, 4 TD, 1 Int, 10 Att, 106 Yds, 1 TD
SAN DIEGO 13 OAKLAND 21
Oakland gets the win, but the Thunder made them work for it. It would be a 25-yard TD run from Bryce Love that would give the Invaders the edge and the W, despite Christian Hackenberg outplaying Davis Mills in this one. It helps, of course, to have a run game and while the Thunder managed only 37 total yards on the ground, the combo of Love (107) and Christian McCaffrey (94) produced 201 yards rushing, meaning that Davis Mills did not need big numbers to get a win and even Oakland’s record to 2-2.
POTG: Oakland HB Bryce Love: 10 Att, 107 Yds, 1 TD
LAS VEGAS 17 OKLAHOMA 20
Oklahoma is a surprising 3-1 after knocking off the winless Vipers in OKC. Jalen Hurts passed for one score and rushed for another as the Outlaws pulled off the win despite losing the time of possession 35:49 to 24:11. Turnovers were a huge part of this game, with Las Vegas fumbling 5 times, losing 4 as it seemed no one in black, silver, and teal could hold onto the ball. You have to feel for Matt McGloin, who had another solid game but was again betrayed by others being careless.
POTG: Outlaw QB Jalen Hurts: 14/27, 226 Yds, 1 TD, 1 Int, 8 Att, 55 Yds, 1 TD
ATLANTA 12 HOUSTON 34
Colt McCoy had to leave yet another game before the whistle sounded, but not until he had already thrown for 3 scores and helped Houston build a 31-2 lead over a Fire team that just did not get it done with Josh Rosen under center. Atlanta was 2 of 10 on third down, Nick Chubb was able to muster only 7 yards rushing as Houston keyed on the run and dared Rosen to complete passes. On offense, Houston got a huge game from Carlos Hyde, 22 carries for 132 yards and a score, as they move to 3-1 on the season.
POTG: Houston HB Carlos Hyde: 22 Att, 132 Yds, 1 TD
OHIO 7 CHICAGO 27
Sunday night offered us the game of the week, at least for hype, but it did not take long to realize that Chicago had the better of their divisional foe, building up a 17-0 halftime lead, limiting Justin Fields to 3 yards on 12 rushing attempts, and picking off the Ohio QB twice. Chicago finishes the season’s 1st quarter with a perfect 4-0 record and victories over both of their most likely division challengers. Sam Bradford again looked more than solid, throwing for 245 yards and 3 scores. But this game was about the Chicago D, which held Ohio to 11 first downs and only 1 score.
POTG: Chicago’s Safety Pair of Xavier Woods & Jordan Poyer: The two combine for 9 Tck, 3 PDef, 2 Int, 1 FF, and 1 FR
Wilson, Hall, Allgeier, Hutchinson, and McFadden Lead ’22 Rookies
The Class of 2022 is looking like one of the league’s better drafts in recent years, at least if early results can be judged as an indicator. On both sides of the ball we are seeing rookies taking on big roles and finding success. Here is our quick look at the first-year players whose first month has opened some eyes and made some GMs look very smart.
HB Tyler Allgeier (ARZ)
We noted Allgeier’s contributions to the Wrangler offense after only 2 weeks, and the young BYU back is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the desert, only a day’s drive from his old haunt in Provo. Allgeier is sharing snaps with veteran Ka’Deem Carey and proving effective as a “change of style” back. Not so much change of pace as both Carey and Allgeier have some wheels, but the more slashing style of Allgeier is a clear shift from Carey’s juking and spinning style. The two have combined for over 500 yards rushing in the opening month, with Carey leading Allgeier 293-235, but with Allgeier looking like the more frequent red-zone option with 5 rushing TDs
HB Breece Hall (NE)
Expected to be the lead back when drafted out of Iowa State, Hall has not disappointed. The Steamroller back is averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He has not yet reached the kind of workload that one would expect of a lead back, averaging only 15 carries per game, but that seems to be a strategy to preserve Hall’s legs during the long USFL season just months after Hall was suiting up as a Cyclone. Expect his carries to remain steady, with T. J. Yeldon getting his share, but we still could see Hall crack the 1,000-yard mark if he can stay healthy.
WR Garrett Wilson (SAN)
The Gunslingers are 3-1, Joe Flacco is on pace for 4,000 yards, and a big reason is the rookie wideout from Ohio State. Wilson is averaging only 12.9 yards per catch, which is lower than Coach Long would like, but with 26 catches on only 30 targets, he is proving to be a receiver who can get open in traffic and make the catch. Wilson has 335 yards so far this year, clearly leading all rookie wideouts, and is the most targeted receiver for San Antonio, ahead of veteran Brandon LaFell and TE Julius Thomas. He may get even more looks as the season progresses, as he and Flacco build their rapport.
DE Aiden Hutchinson (MGN)
Things are not looking good in Michigan, with the club underwhelming at 1-3, surprisingly putting up an unexpectedly poor 15.8 points per game and giving up way too many (29.5 allowed), but Panther fans have to be happy with what they are seeing from former Wolverine Aiden Hutchinson, especially this past week. “Hutch”, who chose the Panthers over the Lions in a battle of Detroit, had earned a sack in each of his first three games, but this week, against St. Louis and their elusive QB, Lamar Jackson, he racked up 3 sacks. His total of 6 over the league’s first four weeks puts him in really good company, tied for 3rd in the league with names like Chandler Jones, Bradley, Matthew Judon, and Ezekiel Ansah, a sack ahead of 2021 sack champion, Montez Sweat.
LB Micah McFadden (STL)
McFadden’s stats (25 Tck, 2 TFL, 1 Sck,) may not jump off the board, but his impact, along with veteran Roquon Smith and young outside backer Trey Hendrickson, are giving St. Louis something they have not had in a long time, a Top 10 defense. Yes, you heard it here. The trio have made running the ball against St. Louis a tough task, allowing only 46.8 yards per game, and while McFadden is not often asked to blitz, his presence, along with the threat of Hendrickson, has made DE A. J. Epenesa that much harder to block, allowing the 3rd year end to join the ranks of the elite pass rushers in the league. Expect Coach Schottenheimer to use all 3 linebackers even more as the season progresses and St. Louis fights to remain a frontrunner in a very new Central Division.
Other rookies deserving some attention include Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett, who has yet to find the win column, but has a respectable 90.9 QB rating and a 6:2 ratio of TDs and picks in relief of Andy Dalton; Baltimore WR Christian Watson, who ranks 5th in the league with 25 receptions; Bulls’ halfback James Cook, who has 194 yards and 2 TDs after 4 weeks; Washington CB Sauce Gardner (16 Tck, 5 PDef, 1 Int), and Charlotte WR Drake London, leading the team with 21 receptions.
A Good Day for the Backs
In a league known for its love of the vertical passing game, for receivers that routinely average more than 20 yards per catch, and a history of QB success, sometimes it is easy to overlook the run game. After all, the league record for yards in a season was set 40 years ago (Herschel Walker, 1,767), and would not even register in the Top 25 of NFL backs, far from the 2,105 record held by Eric Dickerson. So, when we see a week when the backs go above and beyond, we should celebrate it. This week was a week like that, with 4 backs putting up some very nice numbers.
Houston’s Carlos Hyde, 22 Att, 132 Yds, 1 TD
Hyde’s strong game helped him leap up to the top spot in the league’s rushing leaderboard. Not bad for a 30-year-old back who many felt was being ignored by Houston’s pass-happy offense.
Orlando’s Chris Carson, 17 Att, 117 Yds, 2 TD
The NFL import goes back-to-back games over 100-yards, following his 107-yard game against Washington with an impressive 117-yard performance against a Bulls defense that tried to stack the box but failed to contain him.
Bryce Love, 10 Att, 107 Yds, 1 TD
In case you don’t want to do the math yourself, that is a 10.7 YPC average for Christian McCaffrey’s understudy. With McCaffrey among the league leaders in rushing, don’t expect Love to get more than 10-12 touches a game, but if he can rack up 100 yards on 10 carries, maybe he doesn’t need more.
James Conner, 12 Att, 101 Yds, 2 TD
Conner still trailes QB Lamar Jackson in total rushing yards, but the 3-1 Skyhawks need him to have a big year so that teams will respect the run and not put all the pressure on Jackson to do it all. This week’s outing against Michigan was Conner’s first 100-yard game of the season and St. Louis hopes it is only one of many. Connor is in his 2nd year since coming over from the NFL and it is not unusual to see NFL imports take a huge step up after finally getting that much needed offseason to rest and recover. If that is the case with Conner, the Skyhawks could well get the 1,000-yard rusher they brought him over for.
What Options Do the Fire Have at QB?
Things are looking pretty foggy in Fulton County. With Aaron Murray potentially facing not only a season-ending injury, but one which could bring retirement into reality for the 29-year old QB of the Fire, Atlanta has gone from hopeful about 2022 to frantic about the future, not to mention the present. Since Murray’s injury, the Fire have gone 0-2, have scored only 13 offensive points (2 more on a safety), and, well, have not looked good.
Now, the easy thing to do would be to immediately pan the signing of Josh Rosen, the member of the QB class of 2018 with the shakiest track record. Rosen, who went 3-13 in a short NFL career, came to Atlanta this offseason hoping to revive his career by starting as a backup for Murray. He has now played 6 quarters, which is hardly enough time to determine if he can be what Atlanta needs, but this is a fickle business and Rosen has not exactly hit the ground running. His numbers are not off-the-charts bad, going 28 of 46 for 337 yards, 0 TDs and 1 pick in 6 quarters of play, but the 34-12 effort against Houston has Atlanta fans calling in to sports radio to demand something be done. But, here is the question. What exactly could be done?
If the Fire want to move on from Rosen, are they really ready to give the offense to Nathan Peterman, the former Mauler backup who has started two late-season mop-up games in his 5-year career? Let’s assume that is not what anyone wants. So, what other options are out there? If we start with Free Agency the cupboard is not exactly brimming with great options. The most “eligible” quarterbacks not under USFL or NFL contracts are not exactly an inspiring list: Former Invader and failed Monarch Jimmy Garoppolo, aging backups Pat White, and Tyler Thigpen, or untested rookies like undrafted Notre Damer Jack Coan, South Dakota State’s Chris Oladokun, or Miami’s D’Eriq King. Nothing there seems like a slam dunk for the Fire.
So, what other options are there? We see three potential options if Rosen continues to struggle.
Option 1: Make a deal with a team that has a 2-QB competition, assuming they have found their preferred starter.
This may be a dicey option, since the Fire would be admitting that they are signing the 2nd best QB from a team that has two mediocre options. Would that really be a solution. We are thinking about teams like Las Vegas (McGloin/Minshew), Los Angeles (Murray/Foles), and San Diego (Hackenberg/Rudolph). This may also take a few weeks. For example, if San Diego switches to Rudolph after Hackenberg’s rough start, and they get good results, then Hackenberg may be available, but they would need 2-3 weeks before they would even consider that. And what would the cost be to pry a Kyler Murray from LA even if the team goes with Foles (which seems very unlikely after what we have seen this year)?
Option 2: Go with a known entity as a backup and give him a shot to start.
There are some very solid backups in the USFL, some who may well have eyes on a starting gig, but would their teams give them up? We are thinking about players like Tyrod Taylor in St. Louis, Trevor Siemian in Seattle, or Landry Jones in Houston. But, the problem is, all three of those teams know that having a solid backup is essential in a 16-game season, so why would they want to risk having nothing behind their starter? We have already seen Taylor come in and save a game when Jackson had to be sidelined. Brett Hundley could miss 2-3 weeks with an injury from this past week, so there is no way you are getting Siemian from the Dragons, not now, and likely not this year. Unless you go with a somewhat untested backup, we don’t see a lot of midseason deals unless Atlanta is willing to trade much greater value for the chance to salvage the year.
Option 3: Convince Tom Brady or Philip Rivers to come out of retirement.
It seems far-fetched, but the idea of a QB in his 40’s is not as insane as it once was. The problem for the Fire is making the case that their squad offers one of these veteran QBs a real shot at a title. Yes, they have a solid HB in Nick Chubb, some decent targets in A. J. Green, Kelvin Benjamin, and O. J. Howard, and a defense that is 9th in the league in yards allowed, good enough to compete. The downside is that their line has already proven to have issues in protection and they are in the same division as the Tampa Bay Bandits, who look awfully tough to surpass. Honestly, we don’t think it is enough for Brady to consider giving up his after-football career, but Rivers, that could be enough. Do we think the former San Diego/LA Charger is ready to step on a field after almost 18 months away from the game? Not really, but at the very least it would be a show to the fans in Atlanta that they are trying, and that may be the best Atlanta can do right now.
Hundley to Miss 1-2 Weeks with Ankle Injury
The Dragons have won 3 in a row to share 1st in the division, but the next few weeks could be a bit tougher after Brett Hundley suffered a high ankle sprain that is expected to cost him 2-3 weeks. The Seattle QB who racked up 3,900 yards and 25 touchdowns on the path to a Summer Bowl appearance last year, is not going to be available this week against Memphis and in a key divisional matchup against LA in Week 6. The Dragons are hoping he can be back when they head down the road to face Portland at Columbia Sportswear Stadium in the year’s first Cascade Clash.
Hundley came out of the Dragon’s home win over Pittsburgh in the 4th after sprinting out to his right, throwing the ball away before taking a questionable hit that sent him into the Seattle bench. The hit did not do the damage, as it seems it was the way Hundley hit the bench that caused the ankle to bend awkwardly and produced the sprain. Seattle players and Coach Riley demanded a late hit penalty, but did not get one. With the game well in hand at 27-17 and only minutes left, Trevor Siemian finished off the game, adding a Wendell Smallwood TD run for payment on Hundley’s hit. Siemian is now scheduled to start the next few weeks as Hundley heals and rehabs the ankle.
Brett Hundley may have gotten more press for his injury, but it is defenders like Memphis’s Odighuzuwa and Las Vegas’s Martinez that produce bigger long-term impacts for their teams. Of course, Memphis QB Paxton Lynch will say that missing Penei Sewell for even 1 week is a huge risk for the Monarchs, and for him personally.
OUT
DT Osa Odighizuwa MEM Biceps tear 8-12 Weeks
LB Blake Martinez LV Back 6-8 Weeks
OT Darrian Kennard ATL Abdomen 2-4 Weeks
DE Anthony Zettel CHA Collarbone 2-4 Weeks
TE Travis Kelce PHI Groin 1-2 Weeks
OT Michael Oher POR Toe 1-2 Weeks
QB Brett Hundley SEA Ankle 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
OT Penei Sewell CHA Toe
OG David Yankey OHI Shoulder
WR Rashod Bateman LV Concussion
CB Chidobe Awuzie SEA Toe
QUESTIONABLE
DT Star Lotuleilei DAL Knee
WR DeVante Parker NE Concussion
LB Sean Porter MGN Toe
OT Kyle Murphy WSH Hamstring
DE Taylor Hart DAL Concussion
USFL Power Rankings
Four weeks in, one quarter of the season, and time to see what our bullpen thinks of all 30 teams. Here is our first Power Ranking of the season, with no big surprise at the top or the bottom. We all know it is in the middle where the real debates lie.
1—Arizona Wranglers (4-0)
Rumors of the Wranglers’ demise are greatly exaggerated as Arizona now boasts the best scoring offense in the league at 32.2 PPG.
2—Chicago Machine (4-0)
Chicaog does it with D, first in the league in scoring (11 points per game allowed), total yards (206.8 ypg allowed) and pass defense (only 151.8 ypg allowed).
3—Tampa Bay Bandits (3-1)
We are not going to drop the 2-time champs too far down the list, though that loss to Ohio stung a lot. They are still looking very dangerous, putting up over 408 yards per game.
4--Seattle Dragons (3-1)
A 3-game win streak after losing the opener has Seattle in the Top 5. They have not yet gotten Knowshon Moreno up to speed, but if they can, they will be even harder to beat.
5—Houston Gamblers (3-1)
It is troubling that McCoy has left 3 of 4 games early, but his 293.5 YPG is still among the league’s best and the Gamblers have so many weapons, they can win in a lot of ways.
6—New Orleans Breakers (3-1)
Geno Smith and the Breaker receivers are in synch and it shows, averaging over 300 yards per game and reviving hopes in the Big Easy that the club is ready to return to the top of the division.
7—Ohio Glory (3-1)
This week’s blowout loss to Chicago was humbling, but this is a team that can compete each and every week, especially when Justin Fields is able to escape his spy on defense.
8—San Antonio Gunslingers (3-1)
The first of our two expansion risers, San Antonio is in the Top 10 in each of the 4 major offensive categories, a sign of a very balanced offense. Add to that the 2nd rated scoring defense in the league and this group looks legit.
9—New England Steamrollers (3-1)
That New England is 3-1 with Ryan Tannehill missing as much action as he has is a testament to Coach Fox and the defense, which currently ranks 5th in scoring defense despite being 26th in yards allowed, a weird combo for sure.
10—Oklahoma Outlaws (3-1)
A surprisingly good start for the Outlaws, who are not rated in the upper half of the league in any major offensive or defensive categories, but have proven they know how to pull out games.
11—St. Louis Skyhawks (3-1)
Is St. Louis a mirage at 3-1, or are we undervaluing them based on past year performance? Their offense is averaging over 30 points per game and 118 yards rushing, and that is not all Lamar Jackson scrambling either.
12—Los Angeles Express (2-2)
Lots of debate on how to rank the 2-2 clubs, and with the 30th (worst) offense in the league (15 ppg), maybe we have LA way too high.
13—Denver Gold (2-2)
Denver is the opposite of New England, they put up yards, 359 per game, but not a lot of points, only 17.2 per game. They need to fix that odd stat if they want to keep winning games.
14—Oakland Invaders (2-2)
The good news, the defense is 3rd best in the league in yards allowed, and the best against the run (only 38 yards per game), but the bad news is that they are still giving up over 20 points per game and only scoring slightly better at 22 per game.
15—Birmingham Stallions (2-2)
Losses to both Memphis and New Orleans do not help the Stallions, because this is a division that could come down to tiebreakers. They face the Breakers again this week in what could be a “Must Win” game for B’Ham.
16—New Jersey Generals (2-2)
The Generals have won both of their divisional games and lost both of their inter-divisional games. While it is nice to win in the division, if you keep this up you end up at 8-8, and that won’t get the job done.
17—Memphis Showboats (2-2)
The Showboats had trouble revving up to speed, losing their first two, but have had two solid outings over Birmingham and Philadelphia. They now face a tough test with Seattle and New Orleans the next 2 weeks.
18—Orlando Renegades (2-2)
We will learn a lot about the 2-2 Renegades as they face Tampa Bay this week and again 2 weeks later. They need at least a split with the Bandits if they want a shot at a division crown.
19—Washington Federals (2-2)
Like Memphis, the Feds started 0-2 but have won their last 2. We still have our doubts, mostly because they are middling in nearly every stat we measure, but with Philly and Dallas next, we could find them at 4-2 in 2 weeks.
20—Baltimore Blitz (1-3)
We have the Blitz as the best of the 1-win teams, and that is simply because they have potential. 4th in pass defense and with a solid run game, they need to slow down and shorten more games to get more wins.
21—Dallas Roughnecks (1-3)
Hebert is struggling, and the D cannot stop the run, two things that explain Dallas’s situation. They need to fix both, but mostly need Herbert to find his mojo again or it could be a long season.
22—Michigan Panthers (1-3)
How is Michigan 28th in points scored (15.8 per game) and 29th in points allowed (29.5)? This is a bit of a shocker and not at all what most of us expected from this roster.
23—Jacksonville Bulls (1-3)
With all the moves made this offseason, folks in Jacksonville have to be mystified as to why their offense is putting up only 17.5 points per game and is ranked 29th in passing. That is truly a surprise.
24—Atlanta Fire (1-3)
With Murray lost for the year, possibly with a career-ending injury, the Fire look like a bus whose wheels have fallen off. If NFL import Josh Rosen cannot get it done, look for the Fire to try to find a trade partner to bring in someone who can.
25—San Diego Thunder (1-3)
Not much surprise here, as the Thunder struggle on both sides of the ball. Even Charles Sims, the star of their 2021 campaign is struggling as teams key on him.
26—Charlotte Monarchs (1-3)
Coach Daboll got a win in Week 3, but needs to do more. Can Charlotte get another this week in Jacksonville?
27—Portland Stags (1-3)
Stag fans like to point out that their D is 6th in the league against the pass, but when you give up 137 yards per game rushing, there is a reason teams are not passing on you.
28—Philadelphia Stars (1-3)
A very rough start for Carson Wentz and the Stars in general. This is a club that is 2nd in the league in yards allowed, 2nd against the pass, 9th against the run, and yet, is giving up 4 more points per game than they score. That means that the offense has to be the concern and the priority moving forward.
29—Pittsburgh Maulers (0-4)
Don’t blame rookie Kenny Pickett (0-3 as a starter). His stats have been solid. What you need to address is how a team that is 6th in yards allowed can be 24th in points given up, nearly 24 per game. That tells us that you are giving teams a lot of short fields, and that is because of the league’s worst rushing attack, averaging only 37.5 ypg.
30—Las Vegas Vipers (0-4)
When you are 29th in scoring (15.2 PPG) and 22nd in scoring defense (22.5 PPGA), you are not going to win a lot of games. Like Pittsburgh, we don’t think QB is the issue, butwe may be wrong, because unlike the Maulers, the Viper run game works, averaging 116 yards per game. So what is it?
USFL 40 Greatest in 40 Seasons: 31-29
We enter the 20’s in our 4th week of the countdown, with numbers 31-29 coming up today. Two dynamic corners and our frontrunner for the next lineman to be entered into the Hall of Fame, we have 3 players who have a ton of talent even if they never got a ton of attention from fans and the media.
31) CB Patrick Peterson (2011-Present)
Twelve seasons split between the Breakers and the Roughnecks, 41 career picks, including 13 returned for scores (more than 1 in 4), 903 tackles, and 275 passes defended. That is a career worth celebrating, and with a title in 2015, Peterson at least got to taste the ultimate celebration once.
30) CB Charles Woodson (1998-2012)
The only defensive player in NCAA history to win the Heisman did not disappoint as a pro. Woodson joined the Washington Federals in the 1998 draft, played 10 seasons in D.C. earning All-USFL 5 times, and then finished his career in Atlanta, where he became a team captain in his first year. Woodson retired with over 1,200 tackles, 53 picks, 15 defensive touchdowns and 361 passes defended. He ranks 1st all time with those 15 defensive scores, 1st all time with over 1,100 interception return yards, and3rd all time, just 1 pick behind Donnell Woolford and Antonio Cromartie, with his 53 picks. Those all sound like arguments for Woodson to be the top corner in this list. Is he?
29) G Duval Love (1985-1998)
Love is our pick for the lineman most deserving of a call from the Hall of Fame’s Legacy Committee. A stalwart of the hard luck Jacksonville Bulls for 14 seasons, the man-mountain was both an outstanding runblocker and an absolutely immovable object in pass protection. Love played in 207 USFL games, starting 204, and gave up a grand total of 5 sacks. Yup, 5 sacks, so basically he would allow a sack once ever 40 games, or once every 3 years. That is absolutely insane!!! He deserves to be in this list for sure, and in Canton as well.
What does Week 5 hold for us? How about 9 division games in a 15 game slate? How about the Bandits vs. the Renegades on Friday night? Or a battle of 3-1s in the South when San Antonio heads down I-10 to face the Gamblers? We also have Philly at Washington, Charlotte at Jacksonville, Oklahoma at Denver, Baltimore at New England, and San Diego at LA, but perhaps our favorite division showdown of the week is another Sunday nighter, when the Breakers head to Birmingham to take on Cam Newton and the Stallions. It’s Geno Smith, Justin Jefferson, Jordy Nelson, and Coby Fleener attacking through the air while Cam Newton says 1 if by land and 1 if by air, keeping the defense guessing. This one should be a shootout and a fun one as well. Show up early, see if you can get some ribs from the Stallion tailgate crowd and maybe some gumbo or blackened catfish from what should be a big group of Breaker fans making the drive from the Big Easy.
Fri. 7pm ET Tampa Bay (3-1) @ Orlando (2-2)* NBC
Fri. 7pm ET Oklahoma (3-1) @ Denver (2-2)* ESPN/EFN
Sat. 12pm ET Chicago (4-0) @ Pittsburgh (0-4) ABC
Sat. 12pm ET Seattle (3-1) @ Memphis (2-2) FOX
Sat. 4pm ET Ohio (3-1) @ Dallas (1-3) ABC
Sat. 4pm ET San Antonio (3-1) @ Houston (3-1) FOX
Sat. 8pm ET Michigan (1-3) @ Atlanta (1-3) NBC
Sat. 8pm ET Philadelphia (1-3) @ Washington (2-2) ESPN/EFN
Sun 12pm ET Charlotte (1-3) @ Jacksonville (1-3) ABC Regional
Sun 12pm ET Oakland (2-2) @ St. Louis (3-1) ABC Regional
Sun 12pm ET Baltimore (1-3) @ New England (3-1) FOX
Sun 4pm ET New Jersey (2-2) @ Arizona (4-0)* ABC
Sun 4pm ET San Diego (1-3) @ Los Angeles (2-2) FOX Regional
Sun 4pm ET Las Vegas (0-4) @ Portland (1-3) FOX Regional
Sun 8pm ET New Orleans (3-1) @ Birmingham (2-2) EFN
(*) = Throwback Uniform Game
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