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New Orleans Breakers vs Memphis Showboats – Analysis, Tips, and Predictions
The New Orleans Breakers (5-3) and Memphis Showboats (5-3) will meet on Saturday in a game with major ramifications for the USFL playoff race.
With both teams winning last week and two weeks left to play, New Orleans and Memphis are each a game back of the Birmingham Stallions for the lead in the South division. Both teams have at least a chance to win the division if they close with two consecutive wins, but also risk losing control of their playoff destiny with a loss.
New Orleans Breakers vs Memphis Showboats Odds
Head-to-Head – New Orleans at Memphis
The Showboats were the team to hand the Breakers their first loss earlier this season, pulling out a 17-10 win in – what was regarded as, at the time – a major upset. Metrics like yards per play, total plays, and red zone percentage were strikingly similar between the two teams, but Memphis pulled out the deciding 8-point touchdown in the fourth quarter, while New Orleans was only able to muster a field goal.
In their first meeting, Johnnie Dixon and Jonathan Adams combined for 253 yards and two touchdowns on 9 and 8 catches, respectively. Defensively, the Breakers held the Panthers to only 242 yards total and didn’t allow the Panthers to score a touchdown on either of their red zone possessions.
In the same timeframe, the Showboats have only built on their win streak, coming back from an 0-3 start to their current 5-3 record. It hasn’t been consistently dominant, but it’s been consistent – the Showboats converted field goals on each of their last four possessions last week in their 25-16 victory over the New Jersey Generals. Kerrith Whyte gained 102 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Defensively, the Showboats dominated time of possession, holding the Generals to 44 total plays over nine drives while their offense ran 71 plays over 12 drives of their own.
How to Bet on New Orleans at Memphis
The Breakers and Showboats will release more information about their lineups and player availability as we get closer to kickoff. The odds may change accordingly, allowing bettors to perform better analysis and make more informed decisions when betting on the game.
In addition, bettors will find that the odds available on the game will vary between online sportsbooks. It’s important to compare available options in order to find the best odds for the bet you want to make.
Expert Predictions
It’s hard to find an expert consensus on a game as closely-predicted as this, but the Showboats’ consistency over their win streak stands in stark contrast to mistakes that cost the Breakers their lead in the South. McLeod Bethel-Thompson still leads the USFL in passing yards, but threw a pair of interceptions last week in the team’s victory over the Panthers.
Wes Hills similarly still leads the league in rushing yards, but gained a paltry 36 yards over 23 carries last week while also losing a possession on a fumble.
Expect a tight contest on Saturday afternoon.
