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The 2022 USFL Championship is upon us, and the ultimate matchup of the 12 months will characteristic one staff that was the favourite all season, and one other that rode a late surge all the way in which to the “Spring League Tremendous Bowl.” It is the Philadelphia Stars vs. the Birmingham Stallions.
The Stars upset the New Jersey Generals within the first spherical of the playoffs due to a Maurice Alexander Jr. punt return landing late within the fourth quarter, which handed Mike Reilly’s staff their first loss since Week 1 of the common season. As for the Stallions, they ended a four-game, against-the-spread dropping streak to down the New Orleans Breakers, 31-17.
The Stars and Stallions final confronted off in Week 5 again on Might 15. The Stallions escaped with a 30-17 victory, nevertheless it was a one-score recreation getting into the ultimate quarter. In reality, the Stars really held a three-point lead at halftime! The competition was very even. Each offenses averaged about 5 yards per play, each scored two crimson zone touchdowns and each turned the ball over two occasions. Ought to we anticipate one other shut recreation on Sunday?
Congrats to the USFL for finishing a profitable season. Under, our CBS Sports activities employees will give their picks for Sunday’s matchup. Earlier than we leap in, here is all the things you could know in regards to the remaining recreation of the 2022 USFL season. For a full breakdown of this matchup, take a look at Tyler Sullivan’s piece, right here.
All odds are by way of Caesars Sportsbook
Birmingham Stallions (-4.5) vs. Philadelphia Stars
Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET (Fox)
Tom Benson Corridor of Fame Stadium (Canton, Ohio)
ATS data: Stallions (7-4), Stars (6-5)
Over/Underneath 45.5 (-110)
Jared Dubin: Stallions -4.5
“Stallions is a cooler identify than Stars and that is all I find out about both staff.”
John Breech: Stallions -4.5
“I watched two USFL video games all 12 months, so I do not suppose I qualify as an knowledgeable right here. Nevertheless, I’m an knowledgeable in marital relations and my spouse is from Birmingham, so I will be going with the Stallions to win and canopy.”
Patrik Walker: Stars +4.5
“This one’s for all of the marbles, of us. It has been an intriguing maiden voyage for the USFL, to say the least, nevertheless it all comes all the way down to who desires it extra — to be the first-ever champion of the league. On one aspect, you’ve gotten a gifted staff from Philadelphia who has proven a capability to win in a number of methods, however they’re up towards a gritty, hard-nosed squad from Birmingham who usually appears to impose its will on opponents. This might go to the wire, however I do not anticipate a high-scoring recreation, and if that prediction holds true, I imagine the Stallions trip off into the sundown with the victory after having used their punishing run recreation to arrange the crucial huge play downfield. 21-17, Stallions.”
Tyler Sullivan: Stallions -4.5
“Birmingham has been the staff to beat all season and for good purpose. They’ll put up factors in all three phases, which was on full show final week towards the Breakers when the offense, protection, and particular groups all scored touchdowns throughout a 21-point second quarter. The Stallions protection has arguably the perfect go rush within the USFL, which may pose comparable issues to what Stars QB Case Cookus confronted final outing towards the Generals. In that win, he solely accomplished 50% of his throws. If Birmingham forces him into comparable manufacturing, Philadelphia will not have a shot. Whereas loads of the eye might be on Birmingham’s stout protection vs. the high-flying Philadelphia offense, the Stars protection might be their demise. Throughout the common season, they had been tied for essentially the most factors allowed per recreation. Birmingham is the extra well-rounded membership and may have the ability to win the title by a landing.”
Brett Anderson: Stars +4.5
“The Stallions had been the perfect staff within the common season, however here is the factor — they had been the ONLY HOME TEAM. I am not saying the 15,000 or so Birmingham followers that got here to cheer them on (a minimum of early on) swayed issues tremendously, however that was nonetheless 15,000 or so greater than every other staff had. In Canton the Stallions do not have that benefit, and now they’re enjoying the red-hot Stars, who’ve received 5 of their final six and have scored essentially the most factors within the USFL. Birmingham was the one staff to beat Philly by multiple rating all season, however within the title recreation the Stars mustn’t solely preserve it inside 4.5, they may win outright.”
Jordan Dajani: Stars +4.5
“Final week was a visit. With 10 minutes left within the fourth quarter and the Generals up 4 factors on the Stars, I used to be feeling fairly good about our probabilities of overlaying 4.5 factors. Then, Alexander returned a punt 87 yards for a landing proper after the 2 minute warning. Luis Perez was unable to engineer a game-winning drive, and that was that.
We additionally missed on the Breakers-Stallions recreation. New Orleans was down simply 4 factors getting into the fourth quarter, however Birmingham scored 10 unanswered within the remaining stanza to place the sport away. Backside line, it was the worst week of USFL betting for me this season. Wanting ahead to this week, do not the Stars have a little bit of “staff of future” really feel to them? It is a membership that went by way of some ups and downs, and even needed to exchange their beginning quarterback early within the season. I used to be very impressed that Philly jumped out to a double-digit lead final week, after which scored what was the game-winning play on particular groups. This staff is hungry in all three sides of the sport.
For my Tremendous Bowl decide earlier this 12 months, I took the Los Angeles Rams to win, however the Cincinnati Bengals — the supposed staff of future — to cowl 3.5 factors. I will do the identical factor right here. Give me the factors with the Stars, who’re very a lot reside to win this recreation.”
Rating prediction: 28-24, Stallions
Dajani USFL ATS file: 23-19
Dajani USFL straight up file: 29-13
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