Brokeback mountain in New Orleans as the Breakers are broken. All the top defenses in the USFL are swimming at the bottom of the barrel of the power rankings. The Showboats are riding the waves. Houston has no problem. As we dive into the deep end of week 7 USFL power rankings, many solid matches will be played. Week 8 may have the pretenders versus the contenders, but first things first, let’s dissect week 7.

WEEK 7 USFL POWER RANKINGS FROM FIRST TO LAST

#1. HOUSTON GAMBLERS (4-2) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Gamblers have won 4 in a row and are playing as a team. The Gamblers, known for their high-powered offense, ran into a pretty good Generals defense last week. The Gambler defense played a bigger role for Houston. In the first half, Donald Rutledge and Isaiah Pryor, prevent Generals all-star running back Darius Victor getting a huge 4th and 2 play as New Jersey turnedover the ball on downs. That play set up a Gamblers score. Then Jeremiah “was a bull frog” Johnson picked off Kyle Lauretta as Houston defense started out the season out of the gates giving up lots of points. During this 4-game winning streak, the Gamblers defense is starting to gel together. This entire Gambler team is coming together as good teams can win close games involving offensive shootouts or in hard fought defensive gems. The Gamblers are doing that.

#2. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (4-2) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Stallions quarterback, Alex McGough, may be the Josh Allen of the USFL. You can throw in Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes if you would like. McGough can beat you with his arm or legs. The opposing team think they have McGough sacked, he suddenly escapes the pocket, and will either run for the first down or throw a pass to hit his target for a big play. Last week, McGough had 82 yards on the ground for one touchdown. With his arm, McGough was very impressive completing 19-24 passes for 133 yards with two touchdown strikes. One of McGough’s touchdown passes came when he walked the scrimmage line like a tight rope in the circus and found his guy. McGough also had a beautiful touchdown pass as he floated it perfectly over the shoulder of receiver for a score. CJ Marable had a big game on the ground that was over 100 yards. Some of the yards of Marable came in crunch time getting key first downs to put away the Panthers for good last week.

#3. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (3-3) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

Carnell Lake’s Showboat defense has held their last three opponents to a measly 20 points combined.

The Showboats have won three games in a row as they shut out the Maulers last weekend 22-0. The Showboats had three interceptions in the game during which Kyree Woods’ pick six in the third quarter of the game was the Maulers fatality.

Head Coach Todd Haley looked like the ultimate buffoon weeks ago, but now has his team playing well. I will not credit the buffoon, Haley. Instead, I will give the kudos to the defensive coordinator Lake rather than try to add ego to the Toadster.

#4. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (4-2) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Breakers started off 4-0 and now have lost two games in row. The Breakers high octane offense has averaged 10 points per game in each loss. McLeod Bethel-Thompson, still leading the USFL in passing yards, had his worst game against the turnover or die defense the Stars have. Bethel-Thompson had two interceptions, & one of them was a pick six. Bethel-Thompson is only completing less than 58% of his passes in the last two contests.

Suddenly Will the Hills has no eyes as the Breaker running game has been grind-ed to a halt. Vontae Diggs of the Breakers defense even had words for the Philadelphia Stars mascot, The Blob, calling him a weak mascot and saying he can’t talk.

The Blob and the Stars need no words as they end up winning the game.

#5. PHILADELPHIA STARS (3-3) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

Suddenly the Stars are back in the skies shining brightly.

The Stars defense weeks ago was one of the worst in the league giving up the most points. The Stars defense was not the best unit in the league last year, but when they do play well, they can force turnovers on the opposing team’s offenses. Defensive back Amani Dennis did that with a 72-yard pick sick versus the Breakers last weekend. The Stars forced the Breakers offense into all kinds of mistakes which helped even the Philadelphia’s record at 3-3 for the season. The Stars high powered offense from last year is still trying to fine tune that unit. The Stars still won the game despite two touchdowns being called back from penalties. Then adding a pair of interceptions from Case Cookus does not help. Lucky the Stars have the “LEG” in Luis Aguilar who continues his hot streak knocking down kicks from all over the field. Aguilar is the Stars’ main offensive weapon right now.

#6. PITTSBURGH MAULERS (2-4) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

You will notice the three defenses in the USFL are in the bottom of the power rankings because of their quarterback play.

What happened to the Maulers offense? Maulers were turning things around and scoring touchdowns. Then last week they get blanked by the Memphis Showboats. Troy Williams earned my respect as a guy who can get the job done. A guy that will not force things and make mistakes. The Showboats made Williams one-dimensional as he could not make plays with his legs and was grounded for only 7 rushing yards and threw an interception. After Williams, the Maulers have a door prize number three behind center.

Figures a former New York Jet drafted quarterback, James Morgan, did not fare well completing 9-19 passes for 98 yards with a pair of interceptions. Those mistakes will turn you back to the Maulers of 2022.

#7. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2-4) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The problem with the two bottom feeders of the USFL can be blamed on bad quarterback play. The Generals and the Panthers are using two X-Mauler quarterbacks from last season when Pittsburgh were just terrible. They were castoffs and right now the only answer for their teams with very talented defenses. The Generals lost last week, 16-10, and held the Gamblers’ high-powered offense to 16 points. But, they still come away with their 4th loss of the year. Kyle Lauletta was terrible going 17-30 for 177 yards with one touchdown pass but an interception. Plus, Lauletta fumbled. Two mistakes by their quarterback and Generals defense only gives up 16 points. That Generals defense with guys like Toby Johnson fighting in the trenches and pressuring the quarterback, helps keep his team in these games.

Johnson has 3 sacks with 8 solo tackles in six games so far this season. The Generals should be missing their other Johnson, De’Andre Johnson, who has been a better option than Lauletta. The team did well last year with Luis Perez who helped the Renegades of the XFL win their championship game.

#8. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (2-4) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers defense have some studs in their unit with defensive lineman Breeland Speaks who continues to lead the league with 7 sacks. Then, not being talked about, is Panthers linebacker Frank Ginda who had 18 tackles last week versus the Stallions. Ginda shared a sack with Speaks and also forced a fumble. The Panthers defense have kept their team in games, but the offensive struggles continue. The Panthers lost Carson Strong as an option at the quarterback position with an injury. The Panthers were hoping Strong would develop into QB 1. Instead, they have to rely on Josh Love who has done well as he hit his slot man, Trey Quinn, 7 times for 108 yards. Love threw a touchdown pass. Love’s mental blunders continue to pile up losses which now is 4 in a row this team has lost as they started 2-0 out of the gates. Love tried to run a fake spike at the end of the first half as his receivers had no clue what was going down which was a wasted opportunity to get at least 3 points on the score board. I have no clue when the Panthers will win again.

The Houston football program has been NASA-like lighting up the skies. The Gamblers, once the worst football team in Houston, now may be the best. What’s the competition? The Texans of the NFL and the Roughnecks of the XFL. The Gamblers are soaring at the top of the power rankings. Showboats end the Breakers’ undefeated season. We have 5 teams with 2-3 records halfway through season two of the USFL. We sort it all out with week six power rankings.

WEEK SIX USFL POWER RANKINGS

#1. HOUSTON GAMBLERS (3-2) MOVED UP THREE SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

We have a new king of the hill for the USFL power rankings.

The Houston Gamblers have won three games in a row as last weekend they upended the Stallions, last year’s champions. The Gamblers offense is on the verge of being the best in the league. The Gamblers defense which started out of the gates slow has picked up their game. As a team the Gamblers has won three games in a row and has been in every game including the two losses opening up the season. The Gamblers running back, Mark Thompson, continues to run through opposing defenses like a subway turnstile.

Gamblers wide receiver Justin Hall leads the league in receiving touchdowns. Kengi Bahar has upped his game level as one of the best quarterbacks in the USFL. Who is Anthony Ratliffe-Williams? Willimas had a 50 yard touchdown catch in between three Stallions defenders last weekend. That’s another Gambler weapon on that high powered offense Houston has.

#2. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (4-1) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

It will be interesting to see what happens to the Breakers after their first loss of the season. The Showboats drew blood on the Breakers & then pounced on them to end New Orleans 4 game winning streak. The Breakers offense comes back to earth as the Showboats forced three turnovers. In his first loss ever in the USFL, McLeaod-Bethel Thompson had two interceptions and a fumble. The Breakers running back, Wes Hills, had big games that came to an end only able to run for 30 yards on the ground. The Breakers have played two tight games the last two weeks in low scoring games as well. Has the league figured out what the Breakers are doing?

The Breakers hope this punch in week 5 does not tail spin their season like Rocky’s first good punch to Ivan Drago. The Breakers defense is playing better as the season goes along which is a good thing as you expect the New Orleans offense will get their act together at some point with the talented players they have on that side of the ball.

#3. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (3-2) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The injuries are catching up to last year’s champions as they lost another game. This time from the Houston Gamblers. The Stallions have lost 2 of their last three games. After 5 games, Birmingham has doubled the losses from last year’s championship year when they only suffered one loss in ten games of regular season. The Stallions have lost players each week of the season, but still the roster has plenty of depth to keep them in the game as it was a close one versus Houston. The Stallions don’t have the horse power like they did last year. The team is running on fumes and hope they can get their walking wounded to heal fast and back in action.

The Stallions are hopeful that CJ Marable can start heating up as he had a touchdown reception versus the Gamblers last week. Marable was a key play maker of the Stallion stampede from last season.

#4. PITTSBURGH MAULERS (2-3) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Maulers have the best defense in the USFL as they gave up the opening touchdown drive to the Panthers & then gut punched this Michigan team the rest of the way. The Panthers would not score any more points the rest of the way. Another star on that Mauler defense, Christopher Okoye, had 4 tackles that resulted in loss of yards for the Panthers offense. Suddenly the Mauler offense has been finding the end zone. Instead of settling for field goals, the team has been converting down in the red zone.

Maulers quarterback Troy Williams fed Mason Stokke a shovel pass down in the red zone for a score. Williams is emerging as one of the best quarterbacks in the USFL as he went 15-19 for 184 yards & two touchdown passes. Williams also had 59 yards with his legs and another Mauler touchdown. Wide Receiver Isiah Hennie becoming a play maker at the wide receiver position catching six balls for 62 yards. Williams’ security blanket, Bailey Gaither, led all Mauler receivers with 89 yards.

#5. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (2-3) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Showboats fishing trip went well last weekend as they caught themselves the biggest fish in the waters, a New Orleans style Breaker. Memphis gives the Breakers their first loss of the season and now the Showboats have suddenly won two games in a row.

Memphis head coach had to pull out his crusty old horseshoe out of his rear after the team started off 0-3 for the season. That crusty old horse shoe is Cole Kelley who has taken the starting job behind center and has won two starts in a row for the Showboats. The Showboats needed great defense to take down a high-powered Breaker offense. The Showboats have thrived on pressuring the quarterback and forcing turnovers, which they did against New Orleans last weekend. You have to give credit to defensive coordinator former Pittsburgh Steeler, Carnell Lake, turning his unit around after the first three weeks looked like a lost cause.

#6. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2-3) DROPPED 3 SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Generals defense held the Stars last week to 166 yards and still lost to the Stars. The Generals star running back, Darius Victor, fumbled the ball three times to give the Stars opportunities to rack up points. It was Victor’s worst game of his professional career. Last season, Victor was the league’s offensive player of the year. The Generals don’t have the quarterback this year to go along with De’Andre Johnson. Last year the Generals racked up many victories with Johnson and Luis Perez who recently helped the Arlington Renegades in the XFL win the championship. The Generals last week used former NFL cast away and USFL journey man, Kyle Lauletta, who did well but is not the long term answer as the Generals offense is very predictable.

#7. PHILADELPHIA STARS (2-3) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Stars used the leg of their kicker to snap a three game losing streak and upset the Generals. Luis Aguilar sets a new record in a single game in the USFL with 8 field goals in one game. Aguilar went 8-8 including drilling three 50 yard field goals. The winner was a 55 yarder.

Aguilar’s impressive day would tie former Tennessee Titan kicker Rob Bironas for most kicks in one game in professional football. Aguilar hit on 22, 42, 56, (longest of the day), 36, 27, 51, 49, and then the 55 yarder. The Stars last year were the best offensive team in the league. This year the Stars have had problems with their offensive line. The worst defense in the league came up with some key turnovers to help the Stars stay afloat for the season.

#8.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (2-3) DROPPED THREE SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers have hit the biggest slide in the board game of Chutes and Ladders. Once upon a time ago, the Panthers were a promising 2-0 winning two games on the road. Then home cooking caused this team to collapse as they suddenly lost three games in a row and the offense is MIA. Last week the Panthers drew first blood versus the Maulers. After that touchdown, the Panthers’ dueling quarterbacks, Josh Love & Carson Strong, could not get anything going as the Panthers averaged 2.6 yards per play as Eric Marty’s Panther offense throughout the game only gained 152 yards. That is not going to get the job done.

Head coach of the Panthers, Mike Nolan, in his first season in the USFL now can feel what Jeff Fisher did last year when he only mustard up two victories. Panthers have a good defense. Panthers have a good running game. Panthers are still in the thick of things half way through regular season.

Open the bridge… the Showboats land their first victory since the 1980’s. Will that be enough to ease the cry baby, Todd Haley? The Stars have fallen. The Breakers are UNBREAKABLE.

The Stallions rebound as it was almost hammer time. Let’s roll out week 5 power rankings going from the best to the worst.

WEEK 5 POWER RANKINGS

#1. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (4-0) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Breakers stay perfect for the season with their showdown versus a tough New Jersey team. We know about the Breakers offense, but it was the New Orleans defense that showed up and help this team stay perfect. When it comes to the Breakers defense, it’s called…

Every league needs a Diggs. The Breakers have Vontae Diggs who led the New Orleans defense and shut down the Generals passing game. The Generals quarterback went 7-14 for 113 passing yards. Running back Wes Hills added two more touchdowns as he’s becoming a scoring machine for New Orleans. I think it will take a perfect game for another opponent to beat the Breakers.

#2. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (3-1) SAME SPOT LAST WEEK

The Stallions had quite a scare last week losing two games in a row. The Maulers had the Stallions on the brink of a loss before Alex McGough pulled the rabbit out of his hat scoring a tight rope style touchdown. Luckily, the Maulers settled for field goals in the red zones because Birmingham made mistakes turning over the ball against that ferocious Mauler defense. The Stallions got bailed out by their special teams as Deon Cain’s 91 yard kickoff return saves the day for the wild horses.

Deon Cain is the Devin Hester of the USFL as his run back was a back breaker for the Maulers. Trying to track Cain down on the field would be a back breaker and headache. Stallions had never lost two games in a row since the reboot of the USFL. Might not be pretty, but Stallions rebound from their loss to the Breakers.

#3. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2-2) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Generals defense held the best offensive team in the entire USFL to only 20 points and lost a very close game. Since the USFL returned, it’s the first time the Generals lost to another team besides the Stallions during the regular season. The Generals are not going away with the loss they suffered versus a good Breaker team. The Generals have one of the best defenses in the league.

Tyshun Render leads the Generals defense with 3.5 sacks. The Generals running game is hard to deal with. As a group they rushed for 172 yards on the ground versus the Breakers. You like to see the Generals improvement under center as De’Andre Johnson only had just over 100 yards passing versus the Breakers. If this Generals team wants to beat the big dogs, Johnson needs to make some pass plays with his arm.

#4. HOUSTON GAMBLERS (2-2) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Gamblers offense is clicking as they put 41 points on the Philadelphia Stars to win their second game of the year and make it two in a row after starting the season 0-2.

Mark Thompson averaged ten yards a carry as he had a monster game running the ball off the Stars defense. Thompson had 13 carries for 134 yards and three touchdowns. The Gamblers quarterback, Kenji Bahar, had a clean game with no mistakes and lit up the skies with 234 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The Gamblers defense should get a shout out only giving up 16 points and shutting down one of the talented quarterbacks in the USFL, Case Cookus.

#5. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (2-2) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers now have lost two games in a row after opening up the season with two wins. The Panthers numbers-wise were dominating the game last week versus the Showboats but shot themselves in the foot in Showboats territory with costly turnovers. The Panthers need to improve their protection on the quarterback as the Showboats were able to generate pressure and at the same time knock down many of Josh Love’s passes. Panthers have a strong running game. They have a solid defense led by defensive end, Breeland Speaks.

Speaks won a ring with the Kansas Chiefs when Patrick Mahomes won his first Superbowl. Speaks is one of the premier pass rushers in the USFL. The talent head coach Mike Nolan has on this Panther squad I see no reason why they can’t turn this around again and not find themselves at the bottom of the USFL standings like last year.

#6.PITTSBURGH MAULERS (1-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Maulers almost had a upset last week versus a very talented Stallion team. The Maulers had a 21-7 lead with 6:52 left on the clock. The Maulers would be upended on a kickoff return touchdown in a game they dominated most of. Maulers however went 0-3 in the red zone with scoring opportunities settling for field goals instead of touchdowns. Head coach Ray Horton said to the side line reporter at the start of the second half something along these lines: The team needs to pull up their pull ups and find the end zone. The quarterback play has improved as Troy Williams threw for 217 yards with 63 rushing yards and a score.

The last three weeks the Maulers gave the Breakers a solid game & then beat the Stars and gave the Stallions a run for their money. The Maulers are improving week to week.

#7. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-3) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Showboats finally find the win column. Memphis had a new quarterback behind center in Cole Kelly who had two rushing touchdowns to help disgruntled head coach Todd Haley, finally win a game and give a hug to the opposing coach after the game instead of bitch about the way his team lost. It was not Haley’s mastermind offense that beat the Michigan Panthers. It was the Showboat defense that did the job and forced the Panthers into multiple mistakes especially around the red zone. The Showboats defense had two interceptions and a strip sack that turned into a touchdown as Jeff McCulloch scooped up the ball and took it to the house.

The Showboats defense tipped multiple passes thrown by Panthers quarterback Josh Love. The Showboats defense came in this game as the worst unit in the game. The Showboats get their first victory of the year and first win since the 1980’s.

#8.PHILADELPHIA STARS (1-3) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Stars have hit rock bottom as they were destroyed by the Gamblers last week losing by 25 points. The Stars offense used to be a bright spot of this team but Case Cookus and company has only topped 20 points in one game the season opener. The Gamblers offense carved up the Stars defense like a Thanksgiving turkey. Now the Stars defense has surrendered the most points in the league after 4 games of action. On offense, Cookus once again passed for under 200 yards as the run game was shut down by an okay Gambler defense. The Stars were shining in last year’s championship until Cookus broke his leg as they lost to the Stallions at the end of that contest. The Stars coming in, many experts thought they could be a top team in this league in the second year. The Stars head coach, Bart Andrus looked like a solid head coach as he had this team playing at a high level. Now he has become the Bart Simpson of the USFL about to turn Homer-like. This is as teams continue to pile for losses on this Philadelphia team.

XFL 2023 CHAMPIONSHIP

ARLINGTON RENEGADES (5-6) VS DC DEFENDERS (10-1)

AT THE ALAMO DOME IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS

DC’S JOURNEY: The Defenders have been the best team during regular season where they started out of the gates at 6-0. Only loss came at the time to the winless Orlando Guardians, by far the worst team in the league. Since that loss, the Defenders have won 4 straight which includes the North Division Championship two weeks ago against the Sea Dragons. The Defenders have swept great teams – beating St. Louis twice and Seattle three times this season.

RENEGADES JOURNEY: The Renegades as a team have not won consecutive games all season long. The Renegades pretty much backed into the playoffs with a loss or such a bad division they were gifted the second spot in the South division. When it comes to playoffs, anything can happen as the Renegades knocked out the Houston Roughnecks who they lost twice to during the season, including the last regular season game. The Renegades have played better after they traded the Vegas Vipers for quarterback Luis Perez. Perez two weeks ago versus the Roughnecks had three touchdown passes in that South Championship game.

HEAD TO HEAD

In week 9 of regular season, both the Defenders and Renegades squared off. The Defenders built a nice lead, but Renegades came back in the second half and erased a 17-point deficit to send the game into overtime. Then in the OT, the Defenders would prevail in the XFL Hockey shoot-out with the win. Final: Defenders 28-26 Renegades.

JOURNEY MEN OF THE SPRING LEAGUES PAST AT THE QUARTERBACK POSITION

Both starting quarterbacks in this XFL Championship have been playing the Spring Fling for the last few years. Luis Perez of the Renegades has played in the American Alliance Football League that folded up before they completed regular season. Perez played in the XFL reboot league that got shut down due to the pandemic in 2020. Last year, Perez was in the USFL. Ta’amu debuted in the XFL reboot league in 2020. Last year, Ta’amu played in the USFL.

Jordan Ta’amu for the Defenders this season was third in the XFL with 1,894 passing yards and touchdown passes which he had 14 of them. Luis Perez was 4th in the league in passing yards with 1,636 and threw 7 touchdown passes combined playing with the Vipers and Renegades this season. The Renegades averaged about 13 points per game before Perez. With Perez, the Renegades averaged 19.8 points per game.

Edge: DC

THE RUNNING GAME SMITH VS SMITH

DC: The Defenders led the league in rushing and rushing touchdowns this season. Abraham Smith was by far the best running back in the entire XFL. Smith racked up 791 yards on the ground with 7 rushing touchdowns.

ARLINGTON: De’Veon Smith, running back for the Renegades, has a knack for finding the end zone. He had 7 rushing touchdowns which was tied with Abraham Smith from the Defenders for the most in the XFL. De’Veon was 4th in the league in rushing yards.

Edge: DC

PLAY MAKERS

DC: Chris Blair and Lucky Johnson gives the Defenders two of the best receivers in the XFL. Both receivers have over 500 receiving yards. Jackson had 5 touchdown catches while Blair had three.

ARLINGTON: The Renegades have the best tight end in the XFL in Sal Cannella with 42 grabs for 415 yards. Which are not Travis Kelce numbers. Tyler Vaughns is the top Renegade receiver. He had one touchdown catch with 31 grabs for 301 yards.

Edge: DC

DEFENSE

DC: The Defenders defense can put pressure on the quarterback. The Defenders have former NFL head coach Gregg Williams who created Bounty gate when he was a defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints back when they won their first ever Superbowl. The Defenders defense is second overall in sacks with 29. The Defenders defense had the most pick sixes in the league. Defensive back Michael Joseph is a master at taking away the ball and finding the end zone for a defensive score.

ARLINGTON: The Renegades defense is not too shabby either. They have a defensive back in Joe Powell who’s a ball hawk as he had 4 interceptions during the regular season. The Renegades in the beginning of the season had the defense scored more points than the offense. The Renegades defense compiled up 19 total sacks for the season.

Edge: DC

THE PICK

The Defenders’ record and roster compared to the Renegades is off the charts. Only advantage I can see the Renegades having is their head, Bob Stoops, has more stripes than Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow. Barlow is not a rookie head coach as he has coached at the Collegiate level like Stoops who has accomplished a lot at that level. The Defenders play hard for Barlow, and he has some solid pieces on that coaching staff of his. I thought the Defenders defense was a little overrated as this unit was giving up a ton of points in the second half of regular season. Two weeks ago, that Defenders defense just teed off on one of the top-notch offenses in the league, the Sea Dragons.

The Renegades went 1-2 during regular season with Luis Perez behind center. They won a big playoff game with him behind center as well. The Defenders defense can rattle Perez and force him to make mistakes which he has done. Perez is a guy that is very streaky as he can be up and down in the first quarter. The Defenders had seven all pro players compared to only one for the Renegades. The better team in the Defenders. The Renegades track record shows they can’t win two games in a row. Last time I checked, the Renegades won their last game. The Defenders have so many ways to beat you. The Renegades have to play a perfect game to beat the Defenders. The Defenders can win close games. Just in case this game is close, the Defenders know how to step on their opponent’s throat. I bet against the beer snake last week. I will not go against that sudsy reptile once again. The beer snake will travel well.

OUR PICK: THE BEER SNAKE (DEFENDERS)

The Chicago Blackhawks as an organization were left dead along the side of the road. The dynasty was officially over when the team traded away Patrick Kane and are letting the Captain, Jonathan Toews, walk out the door as his contract has ended. Dark clouds have hovered over the United Center for the last several years as the owner of the team had foot and mouth disease. The cover up of sexual assault that happened right under the organization nose as they let sexual predator, Brad Aldrich, waltz away from the team with a letter of recommendation. The dynasty finally collapsed as their championship window was shut closed and nailed shut with all the poor play on the ice. The team had a fire sale and got rid of everything not bolted down at the trade deadline. The pulse of the Indian head sweater was weak. Then like some bad experiment gone wrong as the lottery ball or ticket clung on to something in the luck of the draw, the Blackhawks suddenly have a pulse and came alive with the number one draft pick in the next NHL draft.

On Monday night, the Blackhawks won the Connor Bedard sweepstakes. Bedard’s talent on the ice is compared to Pittsburgh Penguins superstar, Sid “the Kid” Crosby. Winning the Bedard sweepstakes was the most anticipated drawing since 2015 when Edmonton Oilers won the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.The NHL’s Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly pulled the lucky placard with the Blackhawks logo on it to signify the first pick in the draft belongs to Chicago. The Blackhawks’ odds of landing the first pick was 11.5% in the lottery. You may have to credit Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson getting rid of veterans and their own superstar Patrick Kane to derail a team that started to string together some victories. If Davidson did not trade these guys, this team would have won more games and the odds would have been very difficult for this team to get a young superstar. That can make this a very fast rebuild for the Blackhawks and get this team back to the post-season. Suddenly the phones were ringing off the hook as fans started booking season tickets for the Blackhawks. Many thought, including myself, this team was going back to a decade of their franchise playing through dark ages where only crickets would chirp at the United Center. Making that a ghost arena in which this bad ownership finally shed their old snake skin ways when they were one of the worst franchises in sports.

Connor Bedard is a scoring machine and he is only 17 years old. Bedard was born in July of 2005 which was a great year in Chicago sports with the White Sox winning the World Series while the Bears were making their run in regular season to make it to the Superbowl in January of 2006. Bedard led Canada to World’s Junior title in 2023. Bedard is a 5’10” center who can out-skate and has state of the art in-stick handling & then can put the biscuit in the basket with his wicked slap shop as he even has a nice wrister shot that can baffle goalies. Last year, the kid scored 100 freaking goals between playing in the WHL, World Juniors and the CHL/NHL Top Prospect game. In the World Junior tournament, he showed the world of hockey how this kid will be one of the league’s next superstars. Bedard is a Captain of his team in the WHL Western Hockey league for the Regina Pats. Bedard has shown improvement in each season he has played in the WHL. In the 2020-21 season, Bedard had a total of 28 points. Then in the 2021-22 season, he had 100 points that season. In 2022-23, Bedard was awesome with 71 goals dishing out 72 assists. Just sick, in a good way.

If GM Kyle Davidson trades away the number one pick and not take Bedard, he would be beheaded and thrown into the Chicago River. Davidson now has a meal ticket for the next few years as fans hope he can build around this kid, Connor Bedard. If Chicago does it right with some savvy moves, they could easily find their way back to post-season very quickly. Could Davidson reach out and resign Patrick Kane? Kane big apple run with the New York Rangers did not go very well as he had 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points during regular season. Kane really did not show his razzle and dazzle in the playoffs as the Rangers were knocked out in round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the New Jersey Devils. Rangers may take a pass on re-signing Kane after they gave up some picks to get the former Blackhawks super star at the trade deadline. Having Kane and Bedard on the same hockey line, it would give any Blackhawks fan goose bumps. Blackhawks fans will be at their edge of their seats wanting to know what their team is going to do to surround their new stud in the barn of the United Center. You can call landing this get out of jail free card lucky for this organization that was sinking like some dinosaur in the tar pits. Somehow a streak of sunshine got through the dark clouds over the United Center or the Hockey Gods have spoken about one of the original six teams not going to be dormant for another ten seasons and beyond. It could be a conspiracy as the league needs one of the bigger markets like Chicago to be relevant once again. However it took place, now the real pressure will be on GM Kyle Davidson to make the right moves as he handed the keys to a brand new sports car that he better know how to drive it. The Blackhawks are alive and have a pulse.

The Breaker fans of the 1980’s could dig out the old trucker hat or even starter jacket as New Orleans is on top of the power rankings and king of the mountain in the USFL.

If Reggie White was still alive, the former Showboat would body slam the idiot, Todd Haley. Memphis has a new home which Elvis would not like in the bottom of the USFL. In week 4 of the USFL power rankings, we are rearranging the furniture from top team to the bottom of the pond scum with Todd Haley.

WEEK 4 POWER RANKINGS

#1. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (3-0) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Breakers are the last undefeated team in the USFL as they knocked off the Stallions last week a big time trophy kill.

The Breakers put up 45 points to take over the throne of the USFL kingdom. The Breakers offense is the best in the league. Another big game for running back Wes Hills who had 191 rushing yards with three touchdowns. Hills averaged 5.6 yards per carry against a solid Stallions defense. The Beard, McLeod-Bethel Thompson, leads the USFL in passing yards with 837 yards in three games.

The Breakers wide receiver is having a break out season. Sage Surratt has 20 catches for 257 yards with one touchdown. Those 257 receiving yards leads the league. Breakers kicker Matt Coghlin leads all kickers with 33 points. Can the Breakers slay the Generals this weekend? A win versus the Generals would even make a bolder statement even though a win versus the Stallions is a big win. The Breakers were in the playoffs last season and by beating the Generals, they would have knocked off two out of the 4 teams in last year’s post-season.

#2. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (2-1) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Suddenly the Stallions have their first blemish of the season losing to the Breakers in a shootout last weekend. The Stallions only lost one game last season and it was not this early into the start of the year. The Stallions hung with the Breakers for three full quarters. By the 4th quarter, the Stallions look over-matched as they lost 45-31 by the time the game ended. The Stallions only managed 46 yards on the ground versus the Breakers. Is it too early to say that some of the key injuries the Stallions suffered so far are coming back to haunt this team? We could be overreacting. Alex McGough leads the USFL with seven touchdown passes.

Deon Cain leads the league in yardage on kick off returns with 324 yards after three weeks. When the Stallions finally lost last week, they easily righted the ship into a championship season.

#3. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2-1) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Generals have their version of a king pin on the field. He looks like a bowling ball as he rolls over defenders like a bowling ball knocking down pins.

Running back Darius Victor took a screen pass 51 yards for a score rolling down the alley along the sideline. The Generals offense looked crisp in week three as they have ironed out all the wrinkles. Generals quarterback DeAndre Johnson had his best game of the season going 10-15 passing for 180 yards with two touchdown passes. Johnson also had a rushing touchdown with 98 yards using his legs which just crushed the Panthers defense. Head coach Mike Riley, like a blink of an eye, has the Generals back in front on the North Division which they owned the entire season last year.

#4. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (2-1) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers played in their first home game in Detroit, Michigan for the first time since the 1980’s as they are a hub city this season for the USFL. Ford Field had a nice turnout to see their undefeated Panthers and a special guest star & former Panther quarterback, Bobby Hebert, who led Michigan to a championship win in the very first of the USFL. The Generals rained on the Panthers parade giving them their first lost of the year in their first home game of the season. The Generals simply outplayed the Panthers on both sides of the ball. The Panthers can get back on track with the Showboats coming to town who have been playing like tug boats this season, with no victories in three contests.

#5.HOUSTON GAMBLERS (1-2) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Suddenly Benji Bahar has the Gamblers offense playing like the Jim Kelly’s Houston teams of the 1980’s.

The Gamblers won their first game against a bad Todd Haley Showboats team. The Gamblers offense looks legit as they have an aerial attack that can light up the skies with a ground assault that can take your village. Another big game for wide receiver Justin Hall with six catches for 90 yards and two touchdown catches. Mark Thompson, who was ejected the week before with street clothes on, finally saw some action this season. Thompson had 81 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. The Gamblers game is to win a shoot out because their defense can’t stop anyone. Let’s not forget the Gamblers gave the Breakers a battle until mistakes happened and they folded up shop with a loss.

#6. PITTSBURGH MAULERS (1-2) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Maulers scored their first offensive touchdown of the season and looks like they now have found a permanent quarterback. The actual star of the game is the kicker for the Maulers who the team just signed during the week. Chris Blewitt tied a USFL record with 5 field goals. Not bad for a guy sitting on the couch a week ago. The Maulers starting quarter back Troy Williams hit Bailey Gaither with a perfect pass for the team first touchdown and first win since week 5 of last year. Gaither scored a touchdown in that contest as well. Williams, a duel threat, had a nice day running the ball and did not make any mistakes passing the rock. He took what the Stars defense gave him and the kicker turned the drives into points.

The Maulers defense is special & may be the best unit in the league led by the Boogie monster, Boogie Roberts. Roberts is like the Boogie Man from Nightmare Before Christmas if he played football. Boogie can infiltrate any offensive line and hold the opposing teams quarterback hostage. Boogie is one of the leaders on this Maulers squad with his play and personality. If the Maulers can score points consistently, they will win many games because of Boogie and the Knights.

#7. PHILADELPHIA STARS (1-2) DROPPED THREE SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Stars have fallen from the skies and are playing like a dead gold fish you just flushed down the toilet. The Stars offensive live is like a turnstile as it’s open season on the quarterback for the opposing defenses. The Stars offensive line can’t pass protect or even run block as they had a whopping 18 yards on the ground versus the Maulers last weekend. The Stars defense is not the best unit in the game, but they can get turnovers. They can put pressure on the the quarterback. The Stars defense had 5 sacks last weekend to keep their team in the game.

Number 58, Adam Rodriguez, is always around the quarterback as he has 2 sacks this season. Rodriguez was with the Stars last year as well and he’s always around the ball chasing down defenders. Then defensive back Amani Dennis leads the league this season in interceptions with two picks. If the Stars can fix their offensive line they should be back to their winning ways. Hopefully it’s not too late and they lose their star quarterback Case Cookus.

#8. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-3) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Todd Haley belongs in the bottom of the barrel of the USFL power rankings. It’s the second week in a row that Haley has had some choice words for the opposing team’s coach after the game. Two weeks ago he did not like Skip Holtz running up the score. Last weekend, Haley’s bad coaching decisions prevented the Showboats from earning their first victory of the season. Haley, after the loss, had words with Gamblers head coach Curtis Johnson of the Gamblers. Haley thinks he is an evil genius calling the plays on offense. His offense play calling is bland and predictable. One good thing, if the USFL bring back the Tampa Bay bandits who Haley coached last season, the fans will not have to deal with the great Todd. The Showboats fans I’m sure are sick of Haley’s antics as the guy should be fired and go down as one of the worst USFL head coaches of all-time with last season’s Maulers coach, Kirby Jackson. The Showboats are the only team in the USFL without a victory.

FINALLY!!! Someone in Halas Hall, the Chicago Bears headquarters, gets it. The Bears are being criticized for which they are an easy target most of the times, for not drafting defensive lineman stud Jalen Carter at number 9 out of the University of Georgia. The Bears traded the number 9 pick to the Eagles for a 4th round pick in 2024, and the teams exchanged spots in the draft where the Eagles moved up one spot while the Bears took their 10th spot. The Bears originally had the number one pick with which they made a deal with the Panthers for veteran receiver DJ Moore and more draft capital. They also flip flopped spots in the draft where the Bears took the number 9 pick while Carolina got the first pick in the draft. Many think the Eagles who lost key players in free agency fixed their defense by picking up Carter. Bears addressed their defense in free agency. The Bears have been desperately in need of protecting the quarterback. In past Bears regimes, the brain trust would address protection with guys from the later rounds like the 6th and 7th taking on projects in hoping they developed into NFL players and would be serviceable. Ryan Poles, the new sheriff in town, knows if Justin Fields is going to be the quarterback they need to keep him upright. The Bears took a 4-year starter out of Tennessee University, Darnell Wright, which is not the sexy pick, but a big time NEED for this organization who has not had a franchise quarterback since the 1940’s.

This number one pick is much different than other picks this organization has had over the last several years. Like when the Bears tried to land their franchise quarterback and picked Mitch Trubisky, who came out of college with only one year being the starter. Darnell Wright has played all 4 seasons with the Volunteers with which he started 42 out of the 47 games he played defending the trenches. Wright is a massive specimen and he stands at 6’6″ weighting 330 and has blazing speed for a big man. Wright is only 21 years old and last year he played right tackle for the University of Tennessee like the Berlin Wall, as no defenders enter the premises. Wright did not allow a sack last season and only allowed 8 total pressures by defenders. University of Tennessee is not playing cream puffs in the SEC as Wright went up against the Alabama’s and the Georgia’s. In 13 games last season, Wright was first team All-SEC selection. The Bears had some insight on how Wright played as offensive coordinator Luke Getsy coached the senior bowl and got to see this guy’s game preparation and how he handles himself in practices and in game time.

The Bears did a great job with all their money they had available this off-season, bringing in free agents to fix the gaping holes in their roster. Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles know something about defense and I’m sure Jalen Carter will be a stud and get the Eagles back to the playoffs. The Bears addressed their defense with two stud linebackers in Tremaine Edmunds from Buffalo and T.J Edwards, a former Eagle. The Bears added two veteran defensive linemen: Andrew Billings from Vegas and DeMarcus Walkers, a former Bronco. In the second round of the draft the Bears added Gevon Dexter Jr. who has raw talent the Bears are hoping to tap into. The Bears also added a linebacker and a corner in the later rounds. For the offense the Bears added players at the skill positions through free agency. Bears landed two running backs D’onta Foremon a former Panther and Travis Homer a former Seahawk. Bears also picked up a division rivals tight end in Robert Tonyan from the Packers. Bears added a nice back up option to Justin Fields in P.J Walker former Panther. Bears drafted a wide receiver and another running back. Only move the Bears made at their weakest line the offensive link was signing Nate Davis, former Titan. Not enough to keep the defenses throughout the league from murdering your quarterback.

By drafting Darnell Wright, Justin Fields does not have to run for the border on every single play. Fields had some nice 70 yard runs last year, but he looked like he was running for his life being chased by a herd of animals. Wright can play both right and left tackle so he can protect the blindside of Fields. The Bears will give Braxton Jones a chance to win the left tackle job as a rookie last season who played the entire season. Jones, of course a 5th round pick, is the Bears’ way of throwing darts at the offensive line in the past. Jones could be a fixture as the team says he’s working on putting more muscle on his frame during the off-season. With all the moves, we know the defense will improve from last year as the head coach is defensive minded so we will not see the flood gates at the whore house when they appear on the field like last year. Jalen Carter could be the steal of the draft as his stock took a hit involved in a drag race where two people were killed as he fled the scene. I’d rather have Wright, a guy who plays the trenches with a nasty streak. A guy that can control the nasty streak and not hurt the team. Wright is a tone setter which the Bears need on the line. Wright shows grit playing through fatigue injuries which is mental toughness. I want to see if Justin Fields is the answer for years to come behind center for the Bears. I want to see how Fields with protection responds. Fields can throw dimes with his deep ball. What about the short passing games hitting guys on their stride with slants over the middle? How we find out the answer is by giving him the weapons at the skills position, which the Bears did. Now the Bears got their guy to help keep Fields going down the path of Lamar Jackson whose season the last few years has been derailed by injuries running the ball. Now if Carter slips by Wright in some future NFC championships game between the Eagles and Bears, you can say told you so. However it would still be the right choice the Bears made, picking the offensive line over a defensive line.