Generals vs Maulers Week 4 Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The NJ Generals are fresh off a Week 2 win over the Philadelphia Stars, 24-16
• The Pittsburgh Maulers have averaged less than 9 points per game (8.7)
• Watch the Generals vs Maulers on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 2:30 PM ET on Peacock

Generals vs Maulers Odds

Odds taken from BetMGM. Click on the links below to head to the sportsbook and place your bet.

Generals vs Maulers Pick

Until the Maulers can find their offense, expect their lack of scoring to continue and take the under here in Week 4.

Under

In Week 4 of the new USFL’s inaugural season, the best and worst teams of the North Division face off on a Saturday as the 2-1 New Jersey Generals take on the 0-3 Pittsburgh Maulers in what could be considered a make-or-break matchup for the league’s only winless franchise.

The Generals are fresh off a Week 2 win over the Philadelphia Stars, 24-16, and now stand alone atop the North Division, with New Jersey’s second-half rush attack for an impressive 270 yards on the ground allowing them to get back in that game and come out as winners.

The Maulers have not yet figured out whether they are a run-first or pass-first team, though neither form of attack has seemed to work for them as they have averaged less than 9 points per game (8.7) while allowing their opponents to score almost 24 points each time (23.7).

Here are our best predictions, odds, and picks for Generals vs Maulers – good luck, win big!

New Jersey Generals vs Pittsburgh Maulers Predictions

Can the Generals Ground Attack Carry the Day?

Last week, the New Jersey Generals made an impressive halftime adjustment against the Philadelphia Stars and in the second half they took over the game, generating 270 yards of offense on the ground and going from down 3-10 at the half to winning the game, 24-16.

That Week 3 victory was the team’s second, and that surge of rushing came off the production of three of the Generals’ player makers – QB De’Andre Johnson (11 carries for 94 yds, TD), RB Trey Williams (19 carries for 111 yds), and RB Darius Victor (13 carries for 51 yds, 2 TDs).

Their ground game allowed New Jersey to control the clock (37 mins) which essentially sealed the game, so expect the Generals to lean on their talented offensive line including LT Terry Poole, the 30-year-old San Diego State alum who has spent time in NFL camps and the CFL.

Can the Maulers HC Kirby Wilson Figure Out an Offensive Strategy?

While it might be too early to dismiss the 0-3 Pittsburgh Maulers, their offensive strategy has seemed unpredictable as the team struggles to put points on the board (8.7 per game), pass the ball down the field (149 yards per game), and run the ball (105 yards per game).

Wilson loves to run the ball, but so far, both his two main running backs – Garrett Groshek and Madre London – have failed to carry the ball into the endzone, a lack of scoring that has made the team far easier to defend, something Wilson and OC John Tomlinson must figure out soon.

Another thorn in Wilson’s offensive side is the Maulers’ poor special teams play, a squad that keeps coming up short this season, so far with missed field goal attempts, blocked kicks, and dropped punts affecting their games’ momentum and making it easier for opponents to score.

Generals Key Player: (QB) De’Andre Johnson

Fans of The Spring League might remember New Jersey Generals QB De’Andre Johnson from his time under center for the Sea Lions where he threw the ball for 574 yards, 5 TDs with 6 interceptions in six games, a production that earned him a spot on HC Mike Riley’s roster.

After starting QB Luis Perez struggled in Week 3, backup Johnson took over and seemed to lift the team to a second-half victory by using his ability to escape the pocket and earn yards with his legs, carrying the ball 11 times for 94 yds and a touchdown in that comeback win.

With the USFL’s smaller rosters (38 active players vs NFL’s 53), every player must contribute, and it looks like a balance between Perez’s arm and Johnson’s legs could be just the deadly combination offensive coordinator Steve Smith might use to the Generals’ full advantage.

Maulers Key Player: (QBs) Josh Love and Kyle Lauletta

The Maulers have two talented quarterbacks to choose from, with Josh Love and Kyle Lauletta both having spent time in NFL camps prior to being drafted by Pittsburgh, though none of that experience matters if the game plan calls for mostly runs the way HC Wilson’s has so far.

QB Love ranks 6th in production in the league with 40 completions for 440 yards and 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions, his passing offense averaging just 149 total yards through the air per game, anemic production that has failed to yield a victory for Pittsburgh.

Backup QB Lauletta has completed 11 passes for 50 yards for no touchdowns or interceptions, not exactly the answer the Maulers are looking for under center, but it is tough to judge when the game plan seems to call for nothing but run after run despite little success with that strategy.