Philadelphia Stars vs New Orleans Breakers Prediction, 4/17/2022 USFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Philadelphia Stars vs New Orleans Breakers

On April 17, the Philadelphia Stars will face off against the New Orleans Breakers in Week 1 of the USFL inaugural season.

While there are ex-NFL coaches, ex-D1 college coaches and a and longtime NFL position coach leading the way in the USFL, the Philadelphia Stars went in the direction of Bart Andrus. He's done a bit of everything over his coaching career. He's been a coach in high school, as well as the offensive coordinator for Montana State, Humboldt State and Southern Utah. He started getting noticed when he took a team in Rocky Mountain (NAIA) that hadn't won a game in four years and took them a 6-4 record in his first year, earning him COY honors. Jeff Fisher took him on the Tennessee Oilers staff, and he ended up working with Steve McNair on the Super Bowl XXXIV team.

The Stars are led by Bryan Scott under center. Scott had tryouts for a number of teams in the NFL and spent a little time in the CFL, but most of his success came in the Spring League where he might have been one of the best players to ever play in that league. The "Aaron Rodgers of Division III" played for Occidental College. The 215 lb., 6'1 QB threw for 9,073 yards with 77 touchdowns in only 33 games. He earned All-Conference Second Team in the SCIAC and was also named Newcomer of the Year in his true freshman season.

On defense, the Stars have a lot of NFL experience on their roster. Freedom Akinmoladun was their first pick on that side of the ball and will anchor the defense this season and will be looking to make some plays against the Breakers this weekend. Other players on this roster with NFL experience include Mazzi Wilkins who played for the Buccaneers and Ahmad Dixon who played for multiple NFL teams.

Larry Fedora will make his return to the head coaching ranks for the New Orleans Breaker. He coached in the college ranks for Southern Miss and North Carolina. He's always been an aggressive coach and you can expect the Breakers to be aggressive as well.

Kyle Sloter will be under center in the opening game for New Orleans. He initially went undrafted out of Northern Colorado in 2017 but was in the NFL from there going forward. In his time playing pro football, Sloter floated around the league for bottom tier teams and actually had some great pre-season games in his career. He'll be looking for more opportunity in the USFL and will have some weapons to throw to. That said, he'll have to hold of Zach Smith out of Tulsa who had a very good college career.

Chad Williams will be one of the outside receivers and was a third-round pick back in 2017. In his NFL career e caught 20 passes for 202 yards. He had the ninth-lowest receiving DYAR for wideouts in the 2010's, but he also had Josh Rosen throwing balls to him. He'll be playing for a better QB in the USFL, and he'll look to show naysayers what he is capable of.

Get all of our USFL Betting Picks

The Philadelphia Stars remaining schedule:

Week 3 (April 30-May 1): vs. New Jersey Generals
Week 4 (May 6-8): at Michigan Panthers
Week 5 (May 13-15): vs. Birmingham Stallions
Week 6 (May 21-22): vs. Tampa Bay Bandits
Week 7 (May 28-29): at Houston Gamblers
Week 8 (June 3-5): vs. Michigan Panthers
Week 9 (June 11-12): at Pittsburgh Maulers
Week 10 (June 18-19): at New Jersey Generals

The New Orleans Breakers remaining schedule:

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Bandits, April 24, 3 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Week 3 (April 30-May 1): vs. Birmingham Stallions
Week 4 (May 6-8): vs. Houston Gamblers
Week 5 (May 13-15): at New Jersey Generals
Week 6 (May 21-22): vs. Pittsburgh Maulers
Week 7 (May 28-29): at Michigan Panthers
Week 8 (June 3-5): at Birmingham Stallions
Week 9 (June 11-12): vs. Tampa Bay Bandits
Week 10 (June 18-19): at Houston Gamblers

Guy's Pick: The Breakers look like the stronger team to start the season.

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here