Going into week 9, every team in the USFL still has a chance for the post-season. All 8 teams fighting to get the top 4 spots for the post-season with two weeks remaining in regular season. Last season, the Generals won the North while the Stallions won the South. The Stars and Breakers took the remaining two spots. We will help sort it all out in week nine on the road OF the search for the holy grail by all 8 teams.

Only 4 will have a chance at the USFL hardware!!!

WEEK 9 USFL POWER RANKINGS

#1. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (6-2) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Another Alex McGough comeback and another Stallions comeback over the Philadelphia Stars. Last year’s championship, the Stallions managed to comeback and win it all last year as the Stars were the victim of seeing Stallions.

The Stallions have a one game edge over the division, but the rear view mirror has three teams closer than it appears all with records of 5-3. The Stallions have the offense to repeat as champions. If you’re a Stallions fan, you like to see their defense catch up to the offense. Could the Stallions get Scooby Wright, line backer, back for the post-season?

The Stallions safety had a big game last weekend to help them keep their team’s hex over the Stars. Nate Brooks had six tackles and an interception.

#2. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (5-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Showboats are the hottest team in the league as now they have won 5 straight after opening up 0-3. What has the Showboats cruising during this 5 game winning streak? The Showboats found their quarterback with Cole Kelley. Kelley has only thrown 6 touchdown passes but is 5-1 as the starter. The Showboats have a nice running game with Kerrith Whyte who ran the ball over 100 yards last week versus the Generals with a touchdown.

Whyte has done better than the first week starter for the Showboats’ Alex Collins, former NFL running back. Derrick Dillon has given the Showboats nice field position in the return game. Then the Showboats stout defense has found their identity after getting off to a bad start. They now have improved to one of the best units in the USFL.

#3. HOUSTON GAMBLERS (5-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Gamblers were on the ropes last week versus the fighting Pittsburgh Maulers. The Gamblers needed the legs of Mark Thompson with which he seems like he is carrying this Houston team down to the finish line.

Will Hills leads the USFL with 613 rushing yards. Mark Thompson of the Gamblers has 514 rushing yards while playing 2 games less than Hills of the Breakers. Hills averages 4.0 yards per carry. Thompson averages 5.2 yards per carry. Thompson has 13 rushing touchdowns compared to Hills’ 9. You wonder why the Gamblers have Thompson carrying the load right now. With a log jam in the South division, the Gamblers will need their quarterback to step up and defense with a rematch against the Stallions on the horizon. Remember the Gamblers beat the Stallions in the first go around this season.

#4. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (5-3) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Finally the Breakers’ losing streak comes to an end as the team came close to losing the game as well. The Breakers looked like they were on cruise control last weekend versus the Panthers. Then the Panthers made a come back and launched a Hail Mary pass at the end in hopes for a stunning upset. Breakers hold on barely, but have to be relieved at the same time since once upon a time ago they started off 4-0. Last 4 weeks they have gone 1-3.

Here’s Johnny!!! The Breakers needed Johnnie Dixon to stop the bleeding. Dixon had two touchdown catches to help the Breakers find the win column once again.

The Breakers are 5-3 & so are the Gamblers and the Showboats while the Stallions are 6-2. Only two games left in a crowded division fighting for two spots. The Breakers win over the Panthers could be a season saver.

#5. PHILADELPHIA STARS (4-4) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

I may as well have the entire North division at the bottom of the USFL power rankings going into week 9. The Stars winning streak comes to an end against their kryptonite, the Stallions.

Remember the old Nintendo game Pro Wrestling? The Star Man was no match for King Slender who would be the Stallions wrestler. I like the Amazon guy, not the delivery guy. The Stars had the lead late in the game but the Stallions come back like in the championship and break the hearts of Case Cookus and company.

The Stars defense kept their team in it as the safety, Cody Brown, had 8 tackles and a forced fumble. The Stars defense did their thing by forcing turnovers. Case Cookus had another monster game versus the Stallions, but he threw an interception. Any mistakes versus the Stallions can cost you the game. The Stars missed out on a few opportunities they wish they had back.

#6. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (3-5) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers, Maulers, and Generals… you can probably put them in any order at the bottom of the power rankings. The Panthers do have one more victory than the Maulers and the Generals. After starting off 2-0 out of the gate, the Panthers have gone 1-5 the last 6 weeks. If the season ended today, the Panthers would be in the playoffs. The Panthers could help their cause this week versus the Maulers with a win to solidify the number two spot in the North. Maulers won the first game when these two teams met. A Mauler loss would send them home for the post-season because Pittsburgh would have the tie breaker. The Panthers made a nice comeback against the Breakers last week but fell short as the Hail Mary did not connect. One Panther defensive player continues to elevate his game. Frank Ginda is now on the same level as the great Frank the Tank.

Frank Ginda’s 11 tackles versus the Breakers – 8 of them were solo. Ginda also had an interception as he could be the guy that helps the Panthers get into the post-season.

#7. PITTSBURGH MAULERS (2-6) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Maulers blew another late lead this time to the Gamblers in a close one with a 20-19 outcome. The Maulers have lost three in a row. Can this Maulers team win two games in a row in the final slate on their schedule? It’s the same old story for the Maulers last week, nice drives but settling for three points instead on converting touchdowns in the red zone. Bailey Gaither led the Maulers offense with 6 catches for 70 yards.

Gaither had a 31 yard reception that set up the Maulers in scoring position, but they settled for the field goal. The Maulers kicker is pretty good, but he missed a field goal which is another 3 points and the team lost by 1. The Maulers offense may only need to average like 20 points per game. With that defense they could win games.

Ray Horton, head coach of the Maulers, could have his team learn to finish games by playing Mortal Kombat. Scorpion wears and supports Mauler colors. Words yelled by the coach late in games should be “FINISH THEM!”

#8. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2-6) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Generals should start taking auditions at the quarterback position. Bring in the cast of Jersey Shore to see what kind of talent they can assemble. The Generals did make a change behind center as they gave Dakota Prukop another whirl. Only problem was the Generals played the hottest team in the league, the Showboats. The Generals defense kept their team in it as DJ Daniel had an interception. Prukop figured out things in the second half as he had a nice game overall passing for three touchdown passes and made one mistake with an interception.

Prukop hit his wide receiver Alonzo Moore with a 17 yard touchdown strike for one of those TD passes. The Showboats answered every time the Generals tried to get the momentum. The Generals are lucky they play in the North division. They still have a shot for that number two playoff spot in the North. With only one team playing at a 500 record while the rest of the division have lost more games than won. With two weeks left, the Generals could find a way to win both games & then anything can happen. The Stars did well last season with the number two playoff spot in the North last year.

The last two seasons, we all know the Buffalo Bills defense went kaboom in the playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs sliced and diced the Bills defense like a butcher behind the glass counter. Patrick Mahomes, being the butcher back in one of the best playoff games in the history of the NFL, as both teams met in the divisional round in 2022. The Bills answer for next season was signing future hall of famer Von Miller who helped the Broncos and Rams win a Superbowl. Miller was unavailable for the last year’s defensive meltdown with the Bengals due to a season ending injury. Some say the scapegoat was defensive coordinator Lesile Frazier who quietly left the team several weeks ago as the story was he needed some time off. Some would say he was pushed out the door. The Bills’ answer this season is to collect more X-Rams from that Superbowl defense a few years ago that LA had. The Bills have added Taylor Rapp who was a safety for that Rams team. The team just announced they have also signed Chicago Bears-bust defensive lineman X-Ram Leonard Floyd.

Leonard Floyd was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first-round number 9 overall in 2016. In 4 seasons in Chicago, Floyd was considered a first round bust. When players leave the Bears, they usually get better as other coaching staffs tap into their strengths and suddenly the busts turn into pretty good options. Floyd signed with the Rams and in his first season in LA in 2020, he had 10.5 sacks. Floyd has played for the Rams three seasons and has registered at least 9 sacks a year. Floyd racked up 29 sacks in LA where in Chicago the most he had in one year was his rookie season with 7. In 4 years in Chicago, Floyd only had 18.5 sacks as experts said he needed to put on weight to be an elite edge rusher in the NFL. Floyd last season had 31 tackles playing all 17 games for the Rams and the 9 sacks. The Rams are in rebuild and could not find a trade partner for the 30-year-old edge rusher so they released him as he gets a one-year deal with the Bills for a guaranteed 7 million. The deal has incentives as well if Floyd can get to the quarterback, he can add 1-3 more million to his bank account.

The Bills defense took a hit when Tremaine Edmunds left the team in free agency and signed a mega deal with the Chicago Bears. Some thought Lesile Frazier walking away from the team as defensive coordinator would be a bad thing; especially at the time when options of replacements were scarce. The Bills were able to resign their top safety in Jordan Poyer as many thought he’d find a better deal from another team in free agency. The Bills added Taylor Rapp to add depth to the back end of the defense especially with Micah Hyde coming back from a season ending injury last season. Sean McDermott will call handle the defense and the head coach responsibilities which may be a better thing for this Bills. The Bills extended Ed Oliver to a 4 year 68-million-dollar deal keeping their defensive line intact and making him happy at the same time. The Bills added a big man former Seahawk in Poona Ford who could be like the next Ted Washington in Buffalo, just suffocating the opposing teams running game. Then having a healthy Von Miller and hopefully he can stay on the field for the entire season and playoffs.

Sean McDermott likes to rotate his defensive linemen in and out of the games so Leonard Floyd could cause more havoc with fresher legs. Leonard Floyd’s middle name is Cornelius. The Bills fans of the 1990’s remember Cornelius Bennett as a pretty good linebacker who played on those Superbowl teams. This is a great move by the Bills because it gives this team depth. It gives the Bills a guy that can get to the quarterback and Floyd has improved his game since leaving the Bears. I like that Floyd has played with Von Miller and Taylor Rapp. The Bills also signed linebacker Travin Howard, another former Ram that has played with Floyd. The Bills also added offensive guard David Edwards who is another Ram from that Superbowl team. I’m not sure a Buffalo and a Ram could share the same land together. I know these animals are not common enemies. Sometimes you need to recruit guys like the Miller’s, the Floyd’s, and Rapp’s who have done it before. These guys beat the Bengals in the Superbowl. Every team needs a few mercenaries to help them get over the hump. It would be hysteria for the Buffalo Mafia seeing X-Ram players helping the current Buffalo team beat down the Bengals and scalp the Chiefs to get to the Superbowl and beyond.

Recently someone asked me who I was rooting for in the NBA finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets. It was an easy answer, not even thinking about it, as I said the Nuggets, a team that is seeking its first NBA Championship. Why not? The Heat… I still have that bad taste in my mouth from Lebron James and the decision to combine forces with Dwayne Wade as they recruited Chris Bosch to form an instant powerhouse in the NBA. The person who asked me the question said he was rooting for the Heat because of Jimmy Buckets. Former Chicago Bull, Jimmy Butler, is an NBA superstar who now has the Heat in the finals. Butler is the number 1 guy on the Heat. The Bulls have been still looking for their number one guy since the team traded Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, and others that are not even on the teams roster presently.

Jimmy Butler was a first round draft pick in 2011 for the Chicago Bulls. Butler had to earn his stripes as his career started off as a bench guy until his motivation earned him playing time, which he took advantage of. The Bulls Head Coach at the time, Tom Thibodeau, was a guy that helped Butler improve his game as the talent was there. Just unleashing it took some time. When Butler arrived, the Bulls did not know what to do with him as it was the Derek Rose show back then. Rose and the Bulls struggled in a playoff elimination game against the Heat, but Butler found his groove that day even though the game was out of reach. At that point, the Bulls should have realized they had something special in the works – a guy that can take the team on his back. A guy that can create his own shot. These were the Bulls and they ran the organization at the time like a lemonade stand. John Paxson and Gar Foreman were dumb and dumber. They fired Thibodeau because he always had the foot on the gas petal as he would be the one they blamed for burning out Rose. After Thibs left town, the team made a stupid hire in Fred Hoiberg, a former player for the Bulls and a guy who coached Iowa State. Hoiberg had the Cyclones to the tournament with a decent seed a few years in a row only to quickly be dispatched by the underdog team at the time. Butler would tell Freddie to, “coach harder.” The Bulls would low ball Butler with a very laughable contract offer. Thibodeau probably helped Jimmy stay in Chicago as both sides worked out a deal. The Bulls knew they would have to pay Butler big money at some point. For the Bulls at the time, the locker room & the front office were just a toxic place to be. The Bulls then would send Butler to the Timberwolves in a trade. At the time, both parties would have a new beginning. You can see how well that worked out.

Jimmy Butler had a rocky road in Minnesota as the Timberwolves would send him packing to Philadelphia. The Bulls probably patted themselves on the back as Butler was looking like a locker room cancer. In the 2019-20 season, Butler found a new home in Miami where he’s been every since. Butler, like Michael Jordan, remembers everything. Especially all these organizations have done to him. Butler this season has been averaging 22.9 points per game with 5.9 rebounds and dishing out assists at an average of 5.3 per game. This post-season in 17 games, Butler has been averaging 28.5 points per game with 7 rebounds per contest while dishing out 5.9 assists per game. The Heat led by Butler knocked out the Bulls in the play in game which seems like an eternity ago. Butler and the Heat knocked out a juggernaut Milwaukee Bucks team in the first round. Then the Heat took down the Knicks in the next round followed by the Celtics in the Eastern conference championship. Talk about taking down all the historical basketball big boys in your route to the championships.

I don’t know if the Bulls would have been better off keeping Jimmy Butler and building around him. They tried once by bringing in Dwayne Wade and Rajon Rondo, two veterans on their last legs. My question is why would you trade away a guy you drafted who had that Michael Jordan style of motivation and every season elevated his game? It’s typical fashion in Chicago sports which gets exhausting dealing with the stupid that run the Windy City sporting landscape. Usually boils down to penny pinching owners who charge you ten dollars for a beer. I know I do not have any stake in the NBA finals. The NBA game in general is just hard to watch with the no-calls for traveling. Soft defenses. The movement of superstars from team to team. The Bulls took Arturas Karnisovas from the Nuggets front office and made him the President of Basketball Operations a few seasons ago. Could the Bulls be onto something with that high ceiling type of move? Would Jimmy Butler winning a championship put egg on the faces of Jerry Reinsdorf, the Bulls CEO, and John Paxson, head custodian at the United Center. Or can you just chalk this up to old news about which many Chicago fans don’t really care because it will continue to happen as we are used to their way of running things.

The Stallions are galloping to the finish with the league’s best record. Houston may have a problem. The Showboats are still motor-boating. The 4 star Generals lose their stripes. Who woke up the Panthers? Follow the yellow Stars as we’re off to see the Cookus of the USFL. Let’s sort it all out in another edition of the USFL Power Rankings.

WEEK 8 POWER RANKINGS

#1. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (5-2) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Stallions are back in the driver’s seat as they got their revenge on the Breakers last week.

The Stallions have once again the best record in the league. The Stallions roster has depth as they still are playing like a well-oiled machine despite multiple injuries to some of their bigger names that helped this team win it all last season. That means others step up.

The Stallions linebacker, Quentin Poling, has a motor as his play has helped stabilize that Birmingham defense. Poling had a monster game versus the Breakers. Poling has 31 tackles for the season with two sacks and is getting better as the season prolongs into the last few weeks.

#2. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (4-3) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Showboats are riding the waves right now to a 4 game winning streak and are in the thick of things as post-season is not far off.

The Showboats leading receiver, Vinny Papale, caught his second touchdown pass of the year in a big win versus the Gamblers. Cole Kelley rebounded quickly after throwing an interception in his first series last week. The Gamblers suddenly have one of the best kickoff returners in the game as Derrick Dillon has become Devin Hester-like on some of these amazing returns. It has been the Showboats defense who have turned their ship around this season as they continue to force turnovers. The Showboats lead the league in that category. Greg Reaves had his first interception of the year and is number two in sacks in the USFL with 4.5 of them.

#3. HOUSTON GAMBLERS (4-3) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Gamblers’ 4 game winning streak comes to an end versus the Showboats last week. The final looked like a close game, but the Gamblers did not look crisp like they were in those 4 wins. The Gamblers division may be too crowded for them to find the playoffs. The Stallions are perched in the top spot of their division. The rest of the division has 4-3 records going for one spot. The Gamblers defense is surrendering 23.1 points per game which is the second most in the league. The Gamblers defense has played better as the year has gone on. They kept the Gamblers in the game last week when the offense came out stale in the first half.

Gambler’s Manny Bunch had an interception in the first series of the game and gave the Houston offense a primo field position from which they only were able to generate three points off the turnover. The Gamblers will need to execute those gifts from their defense better if they want to be part of the post-season.

#4. PHILADELPHIA STARS (4-3) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Suddenly the Stars have won three straight and are going on a second half tear just like last season. It was the 56 yards touchdown by Corey Coleman which helped the Stars put down the hammer on the Maulers. Coleman has 34 catches for 409 receiving yards and has established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the game this season. For the Stars, it’s good to see their quarterback, Case Cookus, finding his old form as he’s struggled most of the season after being one of the elite quarterbacks in the USFL last season. The Stars have a rematch this weekend against the Stallions. The last time these two teams met was the championship game from last year. Cookus and the Stars had the lead until he broke his leg and left the game. The Stallions would go on and win it all.

#5. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (4-3) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Breakers are no longer the steak and potatoes of the league as this team is in free fall and broken right now. New Orleans’ losing streak hits 3 games now after they started out of the gates going 4-0. The Breakers looked like they were the cream of the crop in the first 4 games as they gave the Stallions their first loss of the season. The Stallions got their revenge last weekend on the Breakers with a win to continue their skid. The Breakers have the top quarterback in the league with McLeod Bethel-Thompson, They have the top running back in the league in Wes Hills. The Breakers even have the best receiver in the USFL with Sage Suratt. As a team, the Breakers have the top passing offense and top offense in yards per game. Throw in that the Breakers have the third best scoring defense in the league. In the last three losses, the Breakers are averaging 13.3 points per game which is not going to rack up many victories.

#6. PITTSBURGH MAULERS (2-5) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Maulers put up 31 points with the defense they have and lose to the Philadelphia Stars in a game the team needed to stay in the playoff race. The Stars put up 37 points as their special teams doom the Maulers defense, putting them in a bad field position most of the game. The typical Mauler mistakes occurred as well that the Stars took advantage of, and in the end Pittsburgh needs to win out and get help from their friends if they want to snatch one of those playoff spots. The Maulers had their own special teams magic as Josh Simmons had an 88 yard touchdown return off the kickoff in the first half that put the Maulers back on top in this shootout.

Maulers blew a nice lead late in this game with missed opportunities in plays that the team wished they had back. As we know, it’s not pee wee baseball where the ole do over play came into effect.

#7. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (3-4) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

It was the battle of X-Mauler quarterbacks between Josh Love of the Panthers and Kyle Lauletta of the Generals, in a game both teams needed. Love prevails after coming out of the gates very poorly going 1-5 & ends up throwing three touchdown passes and over 200 yards passing to win the Mauler bowl.

One of the best slot receivers in the USFL, Trey Quinn, has himself another good game catching three passes for 61 yards of which one reception was a touchdown. Love hit his main man Joe Walker for a 68 yard strike which was the game winner. Walker finished with 121 yards. The Panthers running game was effective with Reggie Corbin having a big day on the ground. Most importantly, the Panthers broke a 4 game losing streak – their first win since starting out of the gates 2-0.

#8. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2-5) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

To find the last time the New Jersey Generals hit rock bottom in the USFL, you have to shine back to the 1980’s.

When Donald Trump owned the Generals, he killed the USFL by challenging the NFL. The league folded up shop and Trump would eventually move on to become President of the United States decades later. The Generals had three of their top defenders out last week versus the Panthers. The defense is the Generals’ back bone of the team. The Panthers knocked out one of the Generals’ dueling quarterbacks, De’Andre Johnson, late in this contest. The Generals had a chance to tie the game with a three point conversion late in the game and failed. Then the 4th and 12 onside kick version also failed, as the Generals lose to, at the time, the worst team in the USFL.

It’s called Child’s play when you think the killer is dead at the end of any these slasher movies. Suddenly Freddie is coming for you. Then Jason is a reborn Christian who never gets rid of the hockey mask as he’s still haunting the good citizens visiting Crystal Lake. Now the return of Chucky to the NFL. Jon Gruden was the victim of the tuck rule when he coached the Raiders. Won the Superbowl as Head Coach of the Buccaneers in his sequel versus his old team, the Raiders. Then Gruden’s third Child’s Play movie took him to the broadcast booth. Then the Raiders offered Gruden to come back to coach with a few Brinks trucks for his 4th Chucky, Child’s Play of the series. The 4th Chucky ended very bad with old emails from the Washington Redskins days resurfacing in front of a live studio audience. Gruden steps down as head coach in 2018. Gruden’s reboot of Child’s Play comes with the Saints, being a consultant to help New Orleans implement a new offense. The NFL has no comment. Is it too soon? Should a guy like Gruden be banned from the league for life with his racist homophobic rants on company emails and some guy, the head of the players association, and his big lips. I was always raised on sticks and stones will break your bones, but names will never hurt.

The head coach of the New Orleans Saints, Dennis Allen, and his quarterback, Derek Carr, and “Chucky” Jon Gruden himself have ties to the Raiders organization. Both Allen and Gruden have coached Carr during their coaching career. Allen was around for Carr’s rookie season while Gruden coached the Saints quarterback for few seasons when he came back to the Raiders organization. The stats show Carr performed his best behind center with Gruden’s designed offense. We all know Allen is a defensive minded head coach and the last few seasons, the Saints have been one of the better units in the league. Since Sean Payton left New Orleans, once a high powered offense has turned into one of the worst units in the league. The Saints have not found their replacement for Drew Brees as Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton could not get the job done in one of the worst divisions in the NFL, the NFC South. This off-season, the Saints think they finally found the answer behind center, and they feel Carr could get New Orleans back to the post-season. Bringing on Gruden to help Allen’s offensive staff implement an offense tailored to their new quarterback’s strengths, could be a savvy move if the team gets good results during the season. Every savvy move by one brain trust could follow with dark clouds of some who want guys like Gruden banished from the league for good.

We all know the Washington Redskins organization was a complete mess. When Jon Gruden coached in Washington, he was trying to establish himself in the NFL as a quality assistant and moving up the rungs of the ladder to take his abilities to the next level. Passing notes makes you think of the clowns you knew in high school. It seemed like the Washington organization at that time was the Delta House on campus with just crazies running the asylum. The NFL was investigating the Redskins’ former President of Football Operations, Bruce Allen. The league had multiple data sets compiled up on that regime. The league paid investigators lots of man-hours to not leave any stone unturned. With all the information the league had on Washington, it was the Gruden emails that seemed to leak out to the public. In 2018, Gruden had no choice but to step down as Raiders head coach because he would have lost his own locker room. You would think more stuff would have come out of the closet filled with skeletons, but Gruden Chucky would take the sword and Child’s Play 4: the Bride of Chucky would end. Once again the Killer always comes back in all these slasher films and Chucky finds a window to crawl through to his next gig in the NFL, even if it’s only consultant work.

When it comes to Jon Gruden as a NFL head coach he may be a guy very overrated at that position. How many coaches have won one Superbowl? How many great coaches, that are better than Gruden, have won no Superbowls? Gruden’s superbowl win came against a team he helped build and knew every weakness they had. Can you fault him for beating his old team in the big game? Gruden did not create the match up as his Buccaneers took a different path to the Superbowl than his old Raider team. I think Gruden’s a good coach a middle of the pack type of guy, who does have a great offensive mind. I think he can help Derek Carr get his career back on track. I think he helped the Saints running game use Alvin Kamara and the team’s biggest free agent signing of the off-season, Jamaal Williams, to turn this new tandem into a deadly two-headed monster attack. The Saints have the Swiss Army knife in Taysom Hill. The Saints have some nice receivers in hopefully a healthy Michael Thomas and the speedster, last season’s rookie, Chris Olave. As a consultant in the background, the Saints can avoid anybody that does not like their idea. Plus this may be a limited basis type of assignment for Gruden & once the offense is installed, he can go on his merry way. In and out like a bank robber. This is probably best for Gruden right now to just get the feet wet & see how everything goes before he gets back in the league at a permanent job. Gruden has filed a case against the NFL. Gruden should not have been the only target in that Washington investigation. If Colin Kaepernick got money from the league that they black balled him as a person, not over what he did on the field because he was not very good at it. Gruden is a moron for writing things on an email that stays in the clouds. I will say every nationality in the entire world or galaxy probably has made a comment about another race, creed, or sex for no good reason. Sometimes poking fun is what this could be, poking fun. Don’t get me wrong… some people are haters of everybody, but I don’t think Gruden fits that profile, especially coaching a game that has higher percentage of black players than any other race playing the game. You know football is this guy’s life. The guy should get another gig in the NFL. I would not make him the face of my franchise because of the checkered past. I would take his help on my staff. Everybody does stupid stuff. We all should be out of jobs for our past, even the Saints found a bump in the road at one point. Let’s see if the Gruden offense can put Derek Carr into Sainthood. The Carr was not driven right in Josh Daniels’ Patriot way. Meanwhile Chucky has planted his seed and you know the reboot of the series is just getting into the works… he’ll be back.

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.