Both the Pittsburgh Maulers and Michigan Panthers are 0-2, though it is more surprising that the Panthers are winless since they were the co-favorite before the season began to win the USFL Championship.
Michigan, however, has lost its first two games and is favored to get its first victory over the winless Maulers. Pittsburgh came close to getting its first win last week but came up a touchdown short to the Philadelphia Stars.
So, who is getting into the win column this Sunday? Find out with our free USFL betting picks and predictions for Maulers vs. Panthers on Sunday, May 1.
Maulers vs Panthers odds
| Pittsburgh Maulers | Michigan Panthers | |
|---|---|---|
| +2.5 (-110) | Spread | -2.5 (-110) |
| +120 | Moneyline | -140 |
| Over 38.5 (-110) | Total | Under 38.5 (-110) |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 29, 2022.
The Panthers opened as the -2.5 at all sportsbooks and the line has stayed there. The Maulers are at +120 on the moneyline at DraftKings, while the Panthers are at -140. The total opened at 38.5 and has not moved.
Maulers vs Panthers predictions
Predictions made on 4/29/2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Maulers vs Panthers game info
• Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
• Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
• TV: USA Network
Maulers at Panthers betting preview
Weather
The weather will be a bit unstable at kickoff with lingering thunderstorms still in the area. They should clear out by halftime. The temperature is set at 78 degrees with winds out of the west at 11 mph.
Key injuries
Maulers: Jeffrey Thomas WR (Questionable), Matt Seybert TE (Questionable), Nico Falah OL (Questionable), Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (Questionable), Jaylon McClain-Sapp (Questionable).
Panthers: Joey Magnifico (Out), Orion Stewart S (Questionable).
Maulers vs Panthers picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
The Pittsburgh Maulers were supposed to be one of the lower-tiered teams in the USFL. The Michigan Panthers were not. And while the Maulers have improved after their first loss, the Panthers looked as shaky in Week 2 as they did in the first week.
This coming from a team that has former Michigan Wolverine Shea Patterson at quarterback and NFL coach Jeff Fisher leading them. The Panthers were the +450 co-favorite to win the USFL Championship, but have played like anything but title contenders.
The Panthers’ first loss was against Houston, 17-12. Last week, they were defeated 10-6 by the New Jersey Generals. In two games, the Panthers have 282 total passing yards, with their 141-yard per-game average sixth in the league.
Their run game is much better. Michigan has 264 yards on the ground, good for a 132-yard average and third in the league.
Pittsburgh’s offense is just as anemic but showed a marked improvement from its first game to its second. In the first game, they managed three points and 218 total yards. Last week, it scored 23 points and had 359 total yards.
Look for Pittsburgh to build on last week’s effort and pull off the upset.
Prediction: Maulers +2.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
Over/Under analysis
The Michigan Panthers are a floundering football team, while the Pittsburgh Maulers have shown improvement and almost won their game last week against a very good Philadelphia Stars squad.
The Panthers have actually regressed from Week 1 to Week 2. They scored 12 points in their first game, then followed it up with six points the next. Are they going to get shut out this week?
Doubtful. Pittsburgh doesn’t have that strong of a defense, but it has some quality players. Last week, linebacker Kyahva Tezino and cornerback Terrell Bonds had a pass deflection, and cornerback Jaylon McClain-Sapp had a pass deflection and an interception.
The secondary is a strong group for the Maulers, which is bad news for Patterson, who has been ineffective in his first two games. Mobility is also an issue, as he has been sacked five times, second-most in the league.
Still, I think Patterson has the game to improve on two subpar performances. His completion rate is nearly 60% and he hasn’t thrown an interception yet, so I believe he will get some points on the board.
Pittsburgh quarterback Josh Love saw his numbers go way up week-to-week. He is fourth in the league in passing yards with 357 yards and has two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Getting out of the pocket is also an issue with Love. He has been sacked five times for losses of 31 yards.
With the total at 38.5, I believe these two teams will hit the Over. Pittsburgh has already shown they can score and this could be the week Michigan finds its offense.
Prediction: Over 38.5 (-110 at Caesars)
Best bet
While I think Michigan will improve on the last two performances, I don’t think they are in a position yet to win a game. Patterson has not played like the No. 1 draft pick he was, and he is still at least one or two games from being the quarterback Michigan brass thought he would be.
If the Panthers have to rely on the run game, that might let them down. Stevie Scott III is their leading rusher with just 90 yards in two games, good for eighth in the league.
Conversely, Pittsburgh running back Garrett Groshek is third in the league with 132 yards in two games.
If it comes down to defense, the Panthers have the edge. They are ranked first in yards allowed per game, as well as points allowed per game.
Still, the Maulers have shown improvement, while the Panthers have not. I think that will continue on Sunday.
Pick: Maulers moneyline (+120 at DraftKings)
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