2023 USFL Week 9: Michigan Panthers (3-5) vs. Pittsburgh Maulers (2-6)
When: Noon Sunday.
Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
TV: Fox.
Line: Panthers by 1.
WEEK 8: Despite valiant comeback effort, Michigan Panthers fall short in 24-20 loss to New Orleans
WEEK 7: Panthers snap four-game skid with 25-22 win over Generals
WEEK 6: Panthers fall, 27-13, to Birmingham Stallions for fourth straight loss
WEEK 5: Panthers struggle on offense in 23-7 loss to Pittsburgh Maulers
WEEK 4: Panthers lose, 29-10, to Memphis Showboats in second game at Ford Field
WEEK 3: Panthers’ USFL debut at Ford Field spoiled in 28-13 loss to New Jersey Generals
WEEK 2: Panthers match 2022 win total in Week 2 of 2023 season with 24-10 win over Philly
WEEK 1: Panthers QB makes USFL history in 2023 season-opening win over Houston
Game notes: Somehow, someway, the Michigan Panthers have a chance of making the playoffs. A strong one at that.
There are just two weeks left in the 2023 USFL season and at 3-5, the Panthers are just one game behind the Philadelphia Stars, who sit in first in the USFL North Division. More importantly, the Panthers are also a game up on the New Jersey Generals and Pittsburgh Maulers, both 2-6.
Calling the Panthers’ offense inconsistent would be putting it nicely. After scoring 20+ points in the first two weeks of the season, the Panthers failed to do so for four straight weeks, all games at Ford Field. Then, once they left the “friendly confines of Detroit,” the Panthers offense turned it around and scored 25 points against the New Jersey Generals in a game they won by three points.
Last week, the Panthers failed to score on their first four drives, then put up two touchdowns and a field goal on the next four drives. Down 24-20 late in the fourth quarter, the Panthers got the ball back and were unable to score and forced to punt as their offensive line fell apart. Ultimately, the 24-20 score held, and the Panthers moved to 3-5 on the season.
One positive for the Panthers lately has been the improved play of quarterback Josh Love. During the games at Ford Field, Love was frequently benched in favor of Carson Strong, which typically didn’t lead to much better results. Strong has not attempted any passes in the past two weeks — last week, he was behind former MSU star Brian Lewerke on the Panthers’ depth chart — and Love has thrown for 485 yards and five touchdowns over the last two games.
The Panthers and Maulers played in Week 5 this season and things did not go well for Michigan. After scoring a touchdown on their opening drive of the game, the Panthers failed to score for the rest of the game. That included five punts, two fumbles, two interceptions and a turnover on downs. Strong led the Panthers in passing yards with 94.
Come Saturday, the Panthers will certainly be hoping to avoid a repeat of that performance and potentially clinch a spot in the playoffs, if things fall the right direction.
If the Philadelphia Stars beat the New Jersey Generals on Sunday and the Panthers flip the script on the Maulers, the Panthers will clinch a playoff birth.
It’s safe to say there will be a lot on the line for the Panthers and head coach Mike Nolan this weekend.