The New Jersey Generals are coming off their best effort of the 2023 USFL season. A thrilling 37-33 victory over the Stars in Week 9. However, to make it count, they must beat the Pittsburgh Maulers in Week 10 to punch their ticket back into the USFL playoffs.
CURRENT USFL STANDINGS (Overall Record/Divisional)
North Division
- Philadelphia Stars — 4-5, 2-3
- New Jersey Generals — 3-6, 3-2
- Pittsburgh Maulers — 3-6, 3-2
- Michigan Panthers — 3-6, 2-3
USFL Week 10: New Jersey Generals (3-6) vs. Pittsburgh Maulers (3-6), Saturday, June 17th, 1 PM ET, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio, USA Network/Peacock
Point Spread: New Jersey Generals favored by 3.5 points. Over/Under: 40.5
Weather Forecast: A mainly sunny sky. High 76F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Pittsburgh Maulers Vs. New Jersey Generals Week 10 Depth Chart/Injury Report
Maulers Game Status Report: TE Matt Seybert: Probable (R Hamstring) S Bryce Torneden: Probable (L Achilles) WR Bailey Gaither: Probable (R Ankle)
The Maulers are exceedingly healthy coming into the final week of the regular season. Getting WR Bailey Gaither should help Pittsburgh’s passing attack.
Generals Game Status Report: DL Tyshun Render: Out (R Big Toe) DL Hercules Mata’afa: Probable (R Knee) DB Paris Ford: Probable (Tooth) S Shalom Luani: Probable (R Knee) DL Tyrone Truesdell: Probable (L Finger, R Shoulder) WR Warren Newman: Probable (R Toe) OL Brandon Haskin: Full Go (R Elbow) OL Saige Young: Full Go (Back)
The big news coming out this week is that RB Trey Williams is out. He posted a cryptic tweet signifying the potential end of his run as a player. Sources are indicating that he has left the team. The Generals have not disclosed, as of press time, the reason for Williams’s absence. He provided a great spark last week in returning to New Jersey’s lineup.
- Update: Although there was some frustration with his inactive status and being a healthy scratch. Trey Williams has not left the team. Team sources indicated that cooler heads have prevailed in this situation.
USFL 2023: Keys To A New Jersey Generals Victory In Week 10
The Generals are facing the best overall defense in the USFL this Saturday. The Pittsburgh Maulers are first in the league against the rush (78.7 allowed per game) and pass (258.7). Jarren Horton’s Maulers’ defense is also second in the league in sacks (22) and tied for first in interceptions (11).
Running the football against Pittsburgh, even with New Jersey’s twosome of DeAndre Johnson and Darius Victor back up to full power, will not come easy. The Generals must stay patient with their ground attack and play disciplined football. Getting yards on the ground will be a grind.
Beyond the Maulers’ top-tier defense is an equally stellar special teams unit. Marc Hull’s group leads the league in kick (28.7) and punt return average (18.7).
In what profiles as a smashmouth low-scoring football game. Field position and big plays on special teams could determine the outcome.
In Week 9, the Generals’ return game finally came to life. Thanks to an 85-yard kickoff returned for a touchdown by Cameron Echols-Luper. It was a necessary spark for a team last in the USFL in kick and punt return average this season. A stark contrast from what the Generals’ return game was like in 2022 with NFL Pro Bowler KaVontae Turpin.
One area that was troubling a week ago, and that could factor into Saturday’s game, was that New Jersey allowed a 41-yard punt return to the Stars and 32 yards per kick return. Against dangerous top-notch return specialists like Isiah Hennie and Josh Simmons, that type of coverage play could prove disastrous.
You combine elite play from defense and special teams with a league-leading plus-six turnover ratio. And you wonder how Ray Horton’s Maulers are only 3-6.
It’s because the Maulers are last in the league in total offense. Last in yards and points scored (148).
To his credit, quarterback Troy Williams has thrown only three interceptions this season. Although the numbers haven’t been flashy through the air. He does lead the team in total yards and touchdowns. Williams is a legit dual threat that has played under control.
The last time the Generals and Maulers squared off was in Week 2. New Jersey held Pittsburgh’s offense to three points and 166 total yards. Ted Cottrell’s defense registered five sacks and forced three turnovers in New Jersey’s 20-3 victory.
For New Jersey to win in Week 10, they must repeat that type of performance because points and yards on the other side of the ball won’t come easy against Pitt’s defense.
USFL Week 10 Prediction: New Jersey Generals vs. Pittsburgh Maulers
In Week 9, Mike Riley’s troops finally flipped the switch against Philly and played/coached their best game of the 2023 season. No question that unleashing a healthy DeAndre Johnson helped matters immensely.
Johnson and the Generals’ key players will need to play at a high level for New Jersey to get back into the playoffs. They are facing a dangerous opponent in Pittsburgh, who, if they get any semblance of positive production from their offense, can win it all. As ludicrous as that sounds when discussing a three-win team.
One of these teams will be 4-6 and stay in Canton to play next Saturday’s North Divisional Championship Game.
It will be close, but I think the Generals make enough plays offensively to march back into the USFL postseason.
New Jersey Generals 19 Pittsburgh Maulers 17
