With their lead on the North Division potentially on the line, this will be New Jersey’s most challenging matchup since their Week 1 loss to the Birmingham Stallions. However, this may be more of a must-win game for the Breakers, who have the chance to fall behind in the North Division playoff race if they take a loss this week to the Generals.
Weather
Saturday’s forecast at Protective Stadium predicts partial clouds throughout the day with a chance of light rain in the late afternoon. High of 84 degrees with winds up to 6 mph.
New Orleans (3-1) at New Jersey (3-1)
Kickoff: Saturday, May 14 at 3 p.m. ET Where: Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Ala.) TV: FOX
Betting Odds Per FoxBet
Spread:
New Orleans Breakers: -3
NewJersey Generals: +3
Moneyline:
New Orleans Breakers: -175
NewJersey Generals: +135
Over/Under: 36.5
Players To Watch
For the Breakers, quarterback Kyle Sloter and wide receiver Jonathan Adams are the obvious choices but keep your eye on running back Jordan Ellis. Ellis is the USFL’s current rushing yards leader with 347 yards and has earned praise for his pass protection skills from Sloter.
On the Generals, quarterback DeAndre Johnson has been the most exciting player to watch, leading the team in rushing with 230 yards (4th in the league). However, running back Darius Victor should not be overlooked, as he currently leads the USFL in rushing touchdowns with 4.
New Orleans Breakers – New Jersey Generals Matchup
Excluding a Week 3 loss to the Birmingham Stallions, The Breakers have been rolling through their opponents so far this season. Kyle Sloter has shown bright spots as a passer, but after turning the ball over 4 times in their last matchup, they have some things to clean up in Week 5.
The New Jersey Generals have quietly won 3 straight games, and Mike Riley’s 2-quarterback system seems to be improving a bit each week. DeAndre Johnson has taken a more prominent role as the team’s primary quarterback, but Mike Riley’s system will be tested this week against one of the league’s best defenses.
Statistical Category
New Jersey Generals (3-1)
New Orleans Breakers (3-1)
Pass Yds
720 Yds (3rd)
1,037 Yds (1st)
Avg. Pass Yds/ Game
180 Yds Per Game (3rd)
259.3 Yds Per Game (1st)
Pass TDs
3 TDs (T-5th)
5 TDs (4th)
Ints
1 Int (1st)
5 Ints (T-6th)
Sacks Allowed
6 Sacks Allowed (3rd)
5 Sacks Allowed (2nd)
Rush Yds
713 Yds (2nd)
498 Yds (3rd)
Avg. Rush Yds/ Game
178.3 Yds Per Game (2nd)
124.5 Yds Per Game (3rd)
Rush TDs
7 TD (T-1st)
5 TD (2nd)
–
–
–
Total Yds Allowed/ Game
243.8 Yds Per Game (3rd)
226.3 Yds Per Game (1st)
Pass Yds Allowed
707 Yds (7th)
553 Yds (2nd)
Avg. Pass Yds Allowed/ Game
176.8 (7th)
138.3 Yds Per Game (2nd)
Rush Yds Allowed
268 Yds (1st)
352 Yds (2nd)
Avg. Russ Yds Allowed/ Game
67 Yds Per Game (1st)
88 Yds Per Game (2nd)
–
–
–
Extra Points
6/8 (75%)
5/5 (100%)
FGs
3/7 (43%)
7/9 (78%)
Longest FG
47 Yds
53 Yds
Injury Report
New Orleans Breakers
The Breakers will be without safety Dartez Jacobs, tight end EJ Bibbs, and defensive end Shareef Miller for this week’s matchup. However, defensive end Davin Bellamy will be returning to the lineup after missing last week’s game. Miller and Jacobs have been moved to the inactive roster for the time being. Cornerback Manny Patterson will also be returning to the active lineup for New Orleans this week.
Game Status Report:
Dartez Jacobs, S: Questionable (Head) Nevelle Clarke, CB: Questionable (Hamstring) Davin Bellamy, DE: Questionable (Groin) Shareef Miller, DE: Questionable (Hamstring) Kai Absheer, OL: Probable (Foot) Kamilo, Tongamoa, DL: Probable (Shoulder)
— New Orleans Breakers (@USFLBreakers) May 13, 2022
Ike Brown, CB: Probable (Hamstring) Kyle Sloter, QB: Probable (Groin) Shawn Poindexter, WR: Probable (Ankle) Keith Washington, CB: Probable (Shoulder)
— New Orleans Breakers (@USFLBreakers) May 13, 2022
Transferred to inactive roster: • WR Lee Morris • RB Larry Rose III • CB Nevelle Clarke • OG Jalen Allen • DE Shareef Miller
Players remaining on inactive roster: • S Dartez Jacobs • TE EJ Bibbs
— New Orleans Breakers (@USFLBreakers) May 13, 2022
New Jersey Generals
This week, the Generals will be without one of their top receiving targets in tight end Braedon Bowman. Additionally, offensive guard Mike Brown will miss this week’s matchup with a calf injury.
On a more positive note, New Jersey will have both safeties, Mike Bell Jr. and Shalom Luani, back from injury, along with offensive tackle Garrett McGhin.
Game Status Report:
Mike Brown, OL: Questionable (Calf) Destiny Vaeao, DT: Probable (Quad) Mike Bell Jr., S: Probable (Chest) Shalom Luani, S: Probable (Calf) J'Mon Moore, WR: Full Go (Hamstring) Terry Poole, OL: Full Go (Shoulder) Deyon Sizer, DE: Probable (Pectoral)
— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) May 13, 2022
De'Andre Johnson, QB: Probable (Quad) David Rivers, CB: Probable (Knee) Randy Satterfield, WR: Full Go (Hamstring) Darrius Shepherd, WR: Questionable (Hamstring) Toby Johnson, DL: Full Go (Hamstring) Robert Myers, OL: Full Go (Back, Knee) Kalani Vakameilalo, DL: Full Go (Illness)
— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) May 13, 2022
Players remaining on inactive roster: • WR J’Mon Moore • LB Tim Walton • CB Christian Tutt • DT Kalani Vakameilalo
— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) May 13, 2022
New Orleans Breakers – New Jersey Generals Prediction
I expect the New Orleans Breakers to come away with a win on Saturday. However, with two of the USFL’s better teams meeting in this Week 5 matchup, signs point towards another close game.
The Breakers have already proved capable of competing with some of the league’s most talented teams, but for the Generals, all of their wins have come against struggling teams who are currently below them in the standings. This will be Mike Riley and companies most challenging test since their Week 1 loss to the Birmingham Stallions.
Prediction: New Orleans Breakers: 26 – New Jersey Generals: 20
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