Birmingham Stallions vs. Pittsburgh Maulers Breakdown

The second half of Sunday’s doubleheader takes place where the first game of the day happened. Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, overlooking the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is the scene of FS1’s second game of seven (barring any flex scheduling) in the regular season.

This was fun 🔥

Let's get some more winners tomorrow 😈 pic.twitter.com/IIzn9PJvuK

— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) May 6, 2023

Birmingham Travels North to Face Pittsburgh Sunday Evening

Last season’s USFL champions, the Birmingham Stallions (2-1) come into this Sunday evening’s ballgame having dropped last weekend’s contest against the New Orleans Breakers. The Stallions will be facing Canton’s primary hub tenant, the Pittsburgh Maulers (1-2). Ray Horton’s club finally won last Sunday afternoon in Detroit against the Philadelphia Stars.

Live coverage of the game kicks off at just past 6:30 pm ET/ 5:30 pm CT on FS1. While there haven’t been any weather delays for lightning in the vicinity of any of the outdoor stadiums so far this season, it’s something which could be subject to change with Sunday’s forecast.

Threat of Thunderstorms Looms over Canton Sunday

WKYC in Cleveland is calling for a chance of showers and thunderstorms for both halves of the doubleheader Sunday. Chances of precipitation are at 57 percent.

High temperatures will top out near 70 degrees. With Canton hosting both contests on Sunday, this note: If the first game is delayed by inclement weather in the vicinity of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the kickoff time of the second game will also be delayed.

Birmingham Stallions vs. Pittsburgh Maulers Betting Odds

As of Saturday afternoon, the oddsmakers have the Birmingham Stallions installed as a -8-point favorite on the spread and a -333 favorite on the money line. Pittsburgh counters as a +240 underdog on the line.

The over/under for Sunday night’s game is set at 43 1/2 points. If you plan on betting on this or any other game happening this weekend, please wager responsibly.

Stallions Need to Get Davion Davis Open in the Field

Last week, Birmingham’s receivers were led by Davion Davis. A Sam Houston State product, he spent time on the Houston Texans practice squad in 2021 and 2022 after a stint with the Cleveland Browns earlier in the 2021 NFL season.

Upon getting released by the XFL‘s Houston Roughnecks in March, Davis was signed by the Stallions a week later. The wide receiver caught five passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in last Saturday’s defeat.

There’s no doubt in the minds of Stallions fans that Davion Davis could very well find himself as quarterback Alex McGough‘s top target again on Sunday. If the Maulers’ defense is caught napping on a McGough pass and Davion Davis is on the receiving end of it, he can and will make them pay.

He’s due for another marvelous game on Sunday, but can he deliver again? Tune into FS1 and find out.

How Well Will Scooby Wright Do in Possible Return?

Would you care for a Scooby snack? Birmingham has been without the services of linebacker Scooby Wright for the past two weeks due to the recurrence of a calf injury on opening night, but Stallions head coach Skip Holtz is optimistic that he’ll be in the fold for the team this week.

Wright initially injured his calf in training camp. This begs the question of how long he’ll go in the game. If Wright is at full strength on Sunday, the Stallions will be in much better spot on defense.

Having Scooby Wright back on the field is going to be a major help for them. A week ago, in Wright’s absence, the Stallions were only able to pick off Breakers quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson once.

It was Bethel-Thompson’s first interception of the season. Wright has been known to pick off a pass when it matters the most, so will he come through in the clutch again?

Look For Maulers to Use QB Runs

The Pittsburgh Maulers went away from the two-quarterback system last week, a move which proved fruitful in the long run for Ray Horton and his men. Troy Williams got the start under center at Ford Field last Sunday and displayed that he’s a dual-threat quarterback.

Aside from the 10-of-18 performance through the air for 96 yards and a touchdown, he led the Maulers in rushing with 66 yards on seven carries. Birmingham has a strong defensive line, so passing the ball against the Maulers is something that’ll be easier said than done.

If Williams cannot find any open men down the field, he’ll take off and run. It’s as simple as that.

Maulers Defense Hungry For More Turnovers

If you watched the Maulers/ Stars game last Sunday from Detroit, Pittsburgh’s defense brought the lunch pail with them from the plane, creating three turnovers, including a key interception from linebacker Reuben Foster late in the ballgame.

Foster’s efforts a week ago netted him the USFL Defensive Player of the Week honors in a Twitter vote last Monday. What can he do for an encore?

Can he take home Player of the Week honors a second time? Tune in Sunday evening and find out.

The Week 3 Defensive Player of the Week is @USFLMaulers LB @ferrarifoster 🙌👏 pic.twitter.com/NsPVooDo6g

— USFL (@USFL) May 1, 2023

Final Thoughts

This is a vital contest for both teams on Sunday. A win for either club could set the tone for the stretch run in the coming weeks. Regardless of what happens, it’s going to be an entertaining watch.

Prediction: Birmingham 31, Pittsburgh 17.

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