USFL North Division Finals Stars vs Generals, Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Last week, Philly’s 4-game win streak ended when they lost to the Generals again
• The Generals won their 9th game of the season in Week 10 against the Stars, 26-23
• Watch Stars vs Generals live on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 3:00 PM ET on FOX

Stars vs Generals Odds

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

Stars vs Generals Pick

The Generals seem to have the Stars’ figured out, so count on them to cover the spread when it really matters in the postseason.

New Jersey Generals (-200)

USFL Player Bug Howard as tight end on the Indianapolis Colts

It’s déjà vu all over again in this USFL North Divisional playoff game as the Philadelphia Stars and the New Jersey Generals face off for the second week in a row and the third time this season, and so far HC Mike Riley’s Generals have shut out HC Bart Andrus’s Starts, 2-0.

Last week, Philadelphia’s four-game win streak came to an end when they faced the Generals again, their defense unable to slow down New Jersey’s rush attack and their offense unable to convert the 3-point conversion to tie the game, a tough loss to lead into the playoff matchup.

The Generals won their 9th game of the season in Week 10 against the Stars, 26-23, the result of another solid performance by the running backs who posted 178 yards on the ground with a TD, though QB Luis Perez balled out with 3 TD passes and no turnovers so watch for him this week.

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

Philadelphia Stars vs New Jersey Generals Predictions

Can the Stars’ Rushing Attack Finally Get Past the Generals’ Defense?

So far this season, the Stars have played the Generals twice, and in both games, Philly’s rushing attack was snuffed, with 84 yards on the ground in Week 10 and just 31 rushing yards in Week 3, not enough of a threat to keep the defense from focusing on Stars QB Case Cookus.

Without HC Bart Andrus establishing a solid run game early on, the Stars offense becomes one dimensional and easier to defend, a problem that has resulted in two losses to these Generals, something that Philly’s Offensive Quality Control and RB coach Brock Olivo is no doubt fixing.

Philadelphia’s most productive RB is Matt Colburn II, a double-threat back who can beat you on the ground and through the air as a check-down receiver, so far with 102 carries for 457 yards and 8 TDs and 150 receiving yards with a receiving TD, a player to watch for in the postseason.

Can Generals Secondary Stop Philly QB Case Cookus?

Though the Generals are 2-0 against the Stars this season, Philadelphia scores more points per game (26.2) than New Jersey does (23.2), and a lot of that has to do with how effective their QB Case Cookus has been this season, so far ranked fourth among his USF peers.

Cookus has posted solid numbers after ten games, so far completing 130/208 passes (62.5%) for 1,334 yards and 12 TDs with 5 INTs on top of rushing for 217 yards and another TD, a solid field general who seems calm in the pocket even when pressured, this year sacked 11 times.

The Generals have S Shalom Luani (below) who has 5 interceptions and S Dravon Askew-Henry who has 2 picks roaming their secondary, but no real dominant pass rusher to speak of, though DT Toby Johnson has 2 sacks this season, so watch for him to keep Cookus honest.

Stars Key Player: (TE) Bug Howard

The 7th most productive USFL receiver this season is Philadelphia Stars TE Bug Howard, a former North Carolina star whose size – 6’ 5” and 228 pounds – and relative speed have made him one of QB Cookus’ favorite targets this season, so far with 49 targets, 2nd most on the team.

Howard has had plenty of NFL interest, spending time in a few camps (Colts, Browns, Panthers, Broncos, Jaguars, Bills) but never catching on there, now a head-turner in the USFL with 30 catches for 371 yards and 4 TDs, numbers that have helped his Stars qualify for the playoffs.

Watch for Howard’s battle with the Generals’ secondary, including against their outstanding S Shalom Luani who has posted 5 interceptions, 31 tackles and a sack on the season, a playmaker who will no doubt match up with Howard on some double-teams meant to stop him.

Generals Key Player: (QBs) Luis Perez & De’Andre Johnson

New Jersey’s OC Steve Smith has a wonderful problem in that he has two talented QBs to choose from at any given point in the game, as he demonstrated during their ninth win of the season against the Stars when both Luis Perez and De’Andre Johnson put on a show.

Like he has all season, Perez – ranked 5th among USFL QBs – balled out last week completing 14-of-18 for 138 yards and 3 TDs with no turnovers, his 138.2 QBR in that matchup a clear sign that he can get the job done in the big games, now with 1,200 total passing yards and 9 TDs.

The other part of the Generals’ two-headed QB monster is Johnson who is ranked 9th in the league in production thanks to his part-time role as the scrambler of the two, so far with 310 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs on top of his 772 passing yards and 2 passing TDs.

How to Watch Stars vs Generals