New Orleans Breakers vs. New Jersey Generals Breakdown

Live coverage of the first game of the doubleheader begins at 3 pm ET/ 2 pm CT on NBC Sports. As usual with NBCUniversal USFL games, this one streams live on the network’s subscription-based streamer, Peacock.

If you don’t have Peacock but still wish to stream the game on your computer and/or mobile device, don’t fret. The NBC Sports mobile app and NBCSports.com will have it available.

The Peacock’s focus is the battle between two of the best in the league.

New Orleans Meets New Jersey in Sunday Matinee

The New Orleans Breakers (3-0) enter week four of the 10-week regular season as the last remaining unbeaten team. They’ll take on last season’s USFL runners-up, the New Jersey Generals (2-1).

After not having to worry about weather conditions on Saturday, the forecast becomes a factor once more for the second day of the weekend. The weather gods might not give the USFL another break on Sunday

Slight Chance of Thunderstorms For Sunday’s Game

WKYC in Cleveland is calling for warm temperatures on gameday. Highs are expected to top out in the low-70s. There is, however, the small risk of showers and thundershowers ahead of a frontal boundary crossing the region.

No jackets are needed for the ballgame. Be sure to have those ponchos ready if the weather turns.

New Orleans Breakers vs. New Jersey Generals Betting Odds

As of Friday afternoon, the oddsmakers have  the New Orleans Breakers installed as a -2 1/2-point favorite on the points spread over the New Jersey Generals, The Breakers are a -167 favorite on the money line, while the Generals counter as a +130 underdog.

The over/under for Sunday’s game is set at 44 1/2 points. If you plan on betting on this or any other game happening in the USFL this weekend, please wager responsibly.

Breakers Looking to Continue Hot Start to Season

What can you say about the New Orleans Breakers that hasn’t already been said this season? In brief, this team is as hot as pancakes fresh off the griddle at breakfast time.

They’ve won each of their three games so far this season, including a 45-31 triumph last Saturday versus the Birmingham Stallions on USA. The Breakers were aided by running back Wes Hills, who scored three touchdowns en route to the victory.

Again, the Breakers need to create blocking on the offensive line to give Hills some lanes to run through. If Hills has another big day in the backfield, New Orleans stays unbeaten heading into week five.

Don’t forget about quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, either. The former Toronto Argonauts QB is within striking distance of the 1,000-yard mark. With just 137 yards this week, he’ll reach that plateau.

Much like Hills, Bethel-Thompson also turned in a three-touchdown performance a week ago. He’s had a great start to the year, but can he keep it up?

Can Breakers Defense Pressure DeAndre Johnson?

The Breakers recorded four sacks of Birmingham quarterback Alex McGough last Saturday, but DeAndre Johnson only was sacked once on Sunday versus the Michigan Panthers. Recording one sack would be detrimental to New Orleans’ defense.

To a man, Breakers head coach John DeFillipo has been preaching this all week long in the film room. Getting Johnson to take a sack isn’t an easy task.

Look for the New Orleans D-line to try and force Johnson into throwing errant passes. They just might make him throw a pick.

Watch a New Episode of The Darius Victor Show Sunday on NBC

So far this season, the New Jersey Generals and their fans have been treated to episodes of The Darius Victor Show. Last Sunday was no exception. He finished second on the Generals in rushing yards (68) with one touchdown last week, only being bested by DeAndre Johnson with 98 yards.

If thought about, it’s a small miracle that the Panthers were able to hold Victor (relatively) in check. The true test for the Breakers D-line is whether or not they’ll be able to neutralize him.

Darius Victor is able to get to the second level. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks a big run through the belly of the defense again. If you watched last week’s game, you know that he scored a 35-yard touchdown on 4th and 1 to increase New Jersey’s advantage to 21-3. Will he be able to do it again?

Generals D-Line In For Rough Day

Given that the Generals have had to prepare for a quarterback as great as McLeod Bethel-Thompson, their defensive line could be in for a rough day on Sunday. New Orleans has allowed just five sacks on Bethel-Thompson through three weeks. Birmingham couldn’t take him down at all last Saturday.

As somebody who’s already familiar with Bethel-Thompson from his days in Canada with the Argos, this is a guy who can punish an opposing defense if they take a play off. If Bethel-Thompson gets a little bit of time, it could be a long afternoon for New Jersey on defense.

Final Thoughts

At the core, this is a strength versus strength matchup. Whose linemen will have the better day? Both teams are going to have to bring the lunch pail to work on Sunday.

Ready for battle 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qPvmC5vNwy

— New Orleans Breakers (@USFLBreakers) May 5, 2023

Prediction: New Orleans 34, New Jersey 20.

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