USFL Week 8 Betting Odds, Previews, Picks (2022)
Once again, the top picks were split last week. Thus, the season total for best bets is 9-9. However, the +113 parlay hit, slightly reducing the season-long hole to -0.27 units. Week 8 is an opportunity to generate a profit and move into the black.
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Top Bets
Pittsburgh Maulers vs. New Jersy Generals Under 41.0 Points (-110)
The Maulers have been the worst team in the USFL by a wide margin. According to FOX Sports, they have the worst point differential, getting outscored by 72 points, considerably worse than the second-worst mark of Tampa Bay, getting outscored by 29 points. Further, in the latest example of head coach Kirby Wilson vying for the title of the worst head coach in professional football history, he yanked starting quarterback Vad Lee for bad body language with under five minutes left in last week’s game.
Wilson’s head-scratching decisions are primarily why Pittsburgh has been stomped and won only one game. Conversely, the Generals have clinched a playoff berth. New Jersey is a run-first team. They’ve attempted a USFL-high 37.7 rushes per game.
The Generals’ ball-control offense has resulted in their defense facing the fewest plays (112). The overmatched Maulers are unlikely to force New Jersey out of their comfort zone.
Finally, the scoring trends are ideal for this game’s under of 41.0 points. In four of the previous six weeks, the Generals’ game totals have been under 41.0 points. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s game totals have been 41.0 or less in half of their contests. Most importantly, these two teams combined for only 34 points in Week 4.
The Panthers and Stars meet for the second time, shooting out for 51 points in Week 4. The game ended on a missed chip-shot field goal, or they would have combined for 54 points.
Shootouts have been the norm for Philadelphia this year. They’ve scored the second-most points (176) and tied for the most points allowed (177). As a result, the Stars’ game totals have gone over 46.5 in four straight and five of their last six.
The Panthers were in low-scoring affairs through the first three weeks. However, they’ve been in shootouts lately. In the last four weeks, Michigan’s average game total has been 51.5 points. Additionally, their games have gone over 46.5 points in all four games. As a result, another back-and-forth scoring affair is likely in Week 8.
The Bandits are fighting for their playoff lives. They’re two games back of the Breakers for the last playoff spot in the South Division with a winnable game against the Gamblers and backup quarterback Kenji Bahar and a head-to-head contest against New Orleans remaining. So, Tampa Bay has plenty of incentive to play hard.
On the flip side, the Gamblers are eliminated from playoff contention. It’s unlikely they’ll mail it in since the players are attempting to put themselves on the NFL’s radar. Nevertheless, they’ve won only one of seven games because they’ve been inferior to their opponents. They’ve been outscored by 21 points this year, and the Bandits squeaked by them 27-26 in Week 3.
Clayton Thorson hasn’t lit the world on fire. Regardless, he held off Bahar before hurting his elbow last week. Therefore, it’s reasonable to expect Bahar to play worse than the injured starter. Moreover, after leading Houston to touchdowns on two of his first three drives, Bahar’s magic wore off. Houston’s last five possessions in Week 7 ended with a punt, missed field goal, interception, fumble, and safety.
Instead of laying the points with the Bandits, attaching their moneyline with the Stars and Panthers over for a two-team parlay creates a nifty betting line of +170. Bettors who are comfortable laying the five points with the Bandits can bet that line and the Stars and Panthers over separately.
NFL Win Totals: BettingPros Staff Early Picks >>
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.