The new USFL is halfway through its inaugural season. As Week 6 arrives, the league's eight teams will begin focusing on making postseason runs. The Birmingham Stallions will begin dreaming earnestly of an undefeated season.
The Stallions are the lone unbeaten team in the USFL at 5-0. They are coming off a 30-17 win over the Philadelphia Stars. The South Division continues to have a better overall record than the North, but last week the North closed the gap a bit with a 2-2 record in interdivisional play.
Week 5 also saw the USFL's last winless team, the Pittsburgh Maulers, earn its first victory. They won in dramatic fashion over the Houston Gamblers, as Vad Lee completed a touchdown pass to Bailey Gaither as time expired.
MAULERS WIN MAULERS WIN MAULERS WIN MAULERS WIN MAULERS WIN 🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨 pic.twitter.com/cQS28Xnr1R
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) May 15, 2022
There is no Friday night game in the USFL this week, so all four games will be played on Saturday and Sunday. Here's everything you need to know about Week 6 of the USFL season:
THE NEW USFL: Rule changes, coaches | Schedule | Uniforms
USFL schedule Week 6: What games are on today?
Here's the full schedule for the sixth week of the 2022 USFL season, including how to watch each game live.
Saturday, May 21
| Game | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Stars (2-3) vs. Tampa Bay Bandits (3-2) | 1 p.m. | NBC, fuboTV |
| Birmingham Stallions (5-0) vs. Michigan Panthers (1-4) | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, fuboTV |
Sunday, May 22
| Game | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
| New Orleans Breakers (3-2) vs. Pittsburgh Maulers (1-4) | Noon | FS1, fuboTV |
| New Jersey Generals (4-1) vs. Houston Gamblers (1-4) | 4 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
Saturday USFL games TV channel, live stream
Here's how to watch the two USFL games that will be played on Saturday.
Stars vs. Bandits
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: fuboTV (free trial)
This is a critical game for both teams. They're in a heated race for second place in their respective divisions. An interdivisional win could go a long way toward boosting either squad's playoff chances.
Philadelphia went toe-to-toe with the undefeated Stallions in the first half last week before fading in the second, while Tampa Bay leaned on two-touchdown games from quarterback Jordan Ta'amu and running back Juwan Washington to defeat Michigan. Both offenses prefer to throw the ball, so Ta'amu and Stars QB Case Cookus could combine for a lot of yards in this matchup.
Stallions vs. Panthers
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: fuboTV (free trial)
The Stallions have been the best second-half team in the USFL. That's a big reason why they have outscored their opponents by more than a touchdown per game (7.4 points). Both Alex McGough and J'Mar Smith have succeeded at quarterback.
The Panthers are 1-4 but have allowed just 80 points this season, tied with the Generals for fewest in the USFL. Their four losses have been by a combined 17 points. Shea Patterson threw for 304 yards last week, so maybe their offense is finally waking up.
Sunday USFL games TV channels, live streams
Here's how to watch the two USFL games that will be played Sunday.
Breakers vs. Maulers
- Kickoff: Noon ET
- TV channel: FS1
- Live stream: fuboTV (free trial)
The Breakers have one of the best passing offenses in the USFL, led by Kyle Sloter, and a solid defense. But turnovers have gotten them into trouble in recent weeks. Sloter tossed two more interceptions in last week's loss to the Generals last week.
Pittsburgh has scored the fewest points in the USFL (60), but they found something with Vad Lee playing quarterback last week. The Breakers were favored by more than a touchdown in midweek, but don't be surprised if Pittsburgh's defense helps to keep the game close.
Generals vs. Gamblers
- Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: fuboTV (free trial)
The Generals have won four consecutive games and seem to have figured out their identity. They have an elite running game led by Trey Williams and Darius Victor, while quarterback DeAndre Johnson has proven effective as both a runner and a passer. New Jersey's defense is one of the best in the USFL.
The Gamblers are built similarly to the Generals, but their record is the inverse partly because quarterback Clayton Thorson has struggled with turnovers. Houston will need him to be better and Mark Thompson will need to run well.