Two 1-2 teams in the North Division meet in a Week 4 matchup when the Philadelphia Stars and Michigan Panthers clash this Friday in Birmingham. The winner will move to .500, while the loser will be near the basement of the divisional standings with the Pittsburgh Maulers.
The Stars have a high-flying passing attack, but an injury to starting quarterback Bryan Scott puts the efficacy of that aerial assault into question.
Jeff Fisher’s Panthers finally got into the win column in Week 3 with a 24-0 win over Pittsburgh.
Check out our USFL picks and predictions for the Philadelphia Stars and Michigan Panthers on Friday, May 6.
Stars vs Panthers odds
| Philadelphia Stars | Michigan Panthers | |
|---|---|---|
| PK (-110) | Spread | PK (-110) |
| -110 | Moneyline | -110 |
| Over 36.5 (-110) | Total | Under 36.5 (-110) |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel, as of May 6, 2022.
This line is set at a dead-even pick‘em across most books. The money line is an even -110 for both sides at most books, although -105 can be had on the Stars in a few spots. The total is set at 36.5.
Stars vs Panthers predictions
Predictions made on 5/4/2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Stars vs Panthers game info
• Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
• Date: Friday, May 6, 2022
• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Fox Sports 1
Stars at Panthers betting preview
Weather
Birmingham is expected to see scattered thunderstorms during the day, but mainly clear skies by the time this game kicks off at night. There are expected winds of 10-15 mph and an 18% chance of precipitation.
Key injuries
Stars: Bryan Scott QB (Questionable), Darnell Holland RB (Questionable), Brennan Eagles WR (Questionable).
Panthers: Paxton Lynch QB (Questionable), Jeff Badet WR (Questionable), Ray Bolden WR (Questionable).
Stars 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.
Moneyline analysis
The Stars have the league’s top passing attack, averaging 219.7 yards per game. That attack is led by arguably the top quarterback in the USFL in Bryan Scott, although his status for this game is in doubt after leaving last week’s loss to the Generals early with an undisclosed injury. He’s listed as questionable for this meeting with the Panthers.
Scott’s status leaves a big question mark hanging over this Stars team. Their success has been predicated upon a pass-first offense that is a step ahead of the rest of the league. If Scott can’t go, Case Cookus likely gets the nod after completing 13 of 20 passes for 146 yards and one score in relief against the Generals.
The Stars have struggled to get anything going on the ground, ranking dead last in the league with 49.7 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry. They also have the worst defense in the league, allowing 374 yards per game while mainly struggling to defend the rush (186 rushing yards per game allowed).
The Panthers, on the other hand, have the top defense in the league, allowing only 6.3 points per game and 219.7 yards per game. They’ve struggled the throw the ball (115.3 yards per game, dead last in the league), but rank second in rushing (169.7 yards per game).
Former NFL first-round pick Paxton Lynch got the nod at quarterback for the Panthers in Week 3 and looked marvelous in early action before leaving due to injury.
The Panthers should be able to run the ball on this porous Stars defense. On the other side of the ball, Michigan has the top defense in the league and will be playing against either a hobbled Scott or an unproven backup.
Prediction: Panthers moneyline (-110 at DraftKings)
Over/Under analysis
The Stars' offense revolves around a pass-happy attack that may be without its star quarterback, Bryan Scott. Even if he can go, it’s doubtful he’ll be at 100% after leaving last week’s contest early. Philadelphia can’t run the ball at all (49.7 rushing yards per game), which has hurt them at times this season.
The Panthers are ferocious defensively, allowing only 9.0 points per game. They’ve been stingy both against the pass (114.3 YPG) and the rush (105.3 YPG).
Michigan looked much better with Paxton Lynch at quarterback a week ago, but now his status is in doubt after leaving with an injury in the first quarter of last week’s game against the Maulers.
They’ll look to keep the ball on the ground against a weak Stars rush defense (186 YPG), which will keep the clock ticking.
Prediction: Under 36.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Best bet
We’re backing the Panthers on the moneyline as our recommendation for the side, but it’s hard to trust Jeff Fisher to get the job done.
Therefore, we’ll be targeting the total with our best bet. The Stars have a one-dimensional offense and will be facing the USFL’s top defense.
On the other side of things, the Panthers have an embarrassing offense and will look to keep the ball on the ground early and often, which will keep seconds ticking off the clock.
Pick: Under 36.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
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