USFL Week 9 Predictions, Picks & Odds: Can the Breakers seal a playoff spot against the Bandits?

The penultimate week of the 2022 USFL regular season is here, and we have four games to look forward to across Saturday and Sunday.

Bandits, Breakers Meet with Final USFL Playoff Spot on the Line

The most important game this week will see the Tampa Bay Bandits (4-4) take on the New Orleans Breakers (5-3). With a win, the Breakers will clinch the second playoff spot in the South Division, with the 8-0 Birmingham Stallions already having locked down the top spot.

But if the Bandits win, the race for that spot will come down to next week. Next week, the Bandits will face the Stallions, who could be going for a 10-0 season, while the Breakers will have a much more favorable assignment against the Houston Gamblers.

USFL Week 9 Schedule

Saturday, June 11

New Jersey Generals vs. Michigan Panthers, 1:00 p.m. ET, NBC

Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions, 6:00 p.m. ET, USA

Sunday, June 12

Tampa Bay Bandits vs. New Orleans Breakers, 4:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Philadelphia Stars vs. Pittsburgh Maulers, 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1

USFL Week 9 Predictions and Picks

New Jersey Generals vs. Michigan Panthers Prediction and Betting Odds

• Spread: New Jersey Generals -7.5 (-110), Michigan Panthers +7.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: OVER 46.5 (-115), UNDER 46.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: New Jersey Generals -330, Michigan Panthers +270

Odds are via BetOnline.

These two teams met in Week 2, with the Generals edging the Panthers 10-6. To date, that is the only game in which the Generals have failed to score at least 20 points.

After allowing 17, 10, and 0 points in their first three games of the USFL season, the Panthers have not been able to keep that standard up, allowing 163 points in five games, an average of 32.6 PPG. Last week, they lost 46-24 to the Stars.

The Generals will wrap up top spot in the North Division either this week or next week with either a win or a Stars loss. Look for them to seal the deal this week without having to wait until next week or pay any attention to Sunday’s Stars vs. Maulers matchup.

Generals vs. Panthers Prediction: Generals 34, Panthers 17

Generals vs. Panthers Best Bet: Generals -7.5

Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions Prediction and Betting Odds

• Spread: Houston Gamblers +12.5 (-110), Birmingham Stallions -12.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: OVER 43.5 (-110), UNDER 43.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Houston Gamblers +500, Birmingham Stallions -750

Odds are via BetOnline.

Since winning their USFL season opener, the Gamblers have now lost seven straight games. They have put points on the board in most of their losses, but they were held to just a field goal in last week’s 13-3 loss to the Bandits.

The Stallions barely held on to their perfect record last week against the Breakers, with an emphasis on barely. Whether or not Brandon Aubrey’s late field goal was good may be up for debate, but it was ruled good, and it gave the Stallions a division-clinching 10-9 win over the Breakers.

With the division clinched, the Stallions could be inclined to take it easy this week and next week. But the possibility of a perfect season should keep them motivated to see off the Gamblers for the second time this season.

Gamblers vs. Stallions Prediction: Stallions 31, Gamblers 23

Gamblers vs. Stallions Best Bet: OVER 43.5

Tampa Bay Bandits vs. New Orleans Breakers Prediction and Betting Odds

• Spread: Tampa Bay Bandits +3.5 (-110), New Orleans Breakers -3.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: OVER 43.5 (-110), UNDER 43.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Tampa Bay Bandits +175, New Orleans Breakers -170

Odds are via BetOnline.

In the most important game of the week, the Breakers take on the Bandits. When they met in Week 2, New Orleans throttled Tampa Bay 34-3. This matchup will likely be a bit closer, but it will have the same final outcome.

Last week’s tight loss to the Stallions will have stung quite a bit for the Breakers, given that they had the best team in the USFL on the ropes and couldn’t close the game out. But look for their defense to shut down the Bandits again and lock down the final spot in the playoff field.

Bandits vs. Breakers Prediction: Breakers 27, Bandits 16

Bandits vs. Breakers Best Bet: Breakers -3.5

Philadelphia Stars vs. Pittsburgh Maulers Prediction and Betting Odds

• Spread: Philadelphia Stars -8.5 (-110), Pittsburgh Maulers +8.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: OVER 47.5 (-110), UNDER 47.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Philadelphia Stars -360, Pittsburgh Maulers +290

Odds are via BetOnline.

The Stars put up 30 points against the Maulers in a seven-point win in Week 2, and there’s a good chance they exceed that number in Sunday’s rematch.

Philadelphia has been lighting up the scoreboard in recent weeks, scoring 35, 35, and 46 points in their last three games. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, comes in having allowed 26, 26, and 29 points in their three last three games, all of which they have lost by double digits.

Stars vs. Maulers Prediction: Stars 33, Maulers 17

Stars vs. Maulers Best Bets: Stars -8.5 & OVER 47.5