Week 16 Recap: Playoff Picture Tightens as USFL Season Nears Conclusion

With just two weeks left in the 1985 USFL season, Week 16 delivered thrilling finishes and critical results in the playoff race. The Houston Gamblers solidified their reputation as the league’s most electrifying team, outlasting the Arizona Wranglers in a 43-38 shootout. Jim Kelly was once again unstoppable, throwing for 385 yards and five touchdowns to lead Houston to its league-best 14th win. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Outlaws stunned the Oakland Invaders 13-9 in a defensive masterpiece, keeping their postseason hopes alive and derailing Oakland’s playoff aspirations.

On Saturday, the Michigan Panthers demolished the Washington Federals 56-27 behind an offensive explosion from Bobby Hebert and John Williams, combining for six total touchdowns. The Philadelphia Stars also shined, rolling past the Tampa Bay Bandits 33-10 thanks to a dominant defensive effort that held Tampa Bay scoreless in the second half. Sunday’s slate was equally intense, with the New Orleans Brass eking out a 21-19 win over the Los Angeles Express, marking their fourth straight victory and strengthening their grip on a playoff berth. In contrast, the Birmingham Stallions’ clutch 20-17 win over the Chicago Blitz came courtesy of a late touchdown drive orchestrated by Cliff Stoudt, keeping Birmingham firmly in the postseason conversation.

Other games saw the Boston Breakers reignite their offense in a 42-30 victory over the Las Vegas Ace, with Marcus Dupree accounting for three touchdowns in a breakout performance. The Denver Gold edged the Jacksonville Bulls 27-24 on a last-second field goal by Ralf Mojsiejenko, while the New Jersey Generals stayed steady with a 21-10 win over the San Antonio Gunslingers, powered by Herschel Walker’s 127 rushing yards. Lastly, the Memphis Showboats continued their ascent with a 52-31 dismantling of the Pittsburgh Maulers, led by Greg Boone’s three-touchdown outburst. As Week 17 looms, the stakes couldn’t be higher for teams jockeying for playoff positioning in a competitive USFL season.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 16 (1985)

Results

Saturday

Tampa Bay Bandits 10, Philadelphia Stars 33

Washington Federals 27, Michigan Panthers 56

Houston Gamblers 43, Arizona Wranglers 38

Sunday

Birmingham Stallions 20, Chicago Blitz 17

Denver Gold 27, Jacksonville Bulls 24

San Antonio Gunslingers 10, New Jersey Generals 21

Pittsburgh Maulers 31, Memphis Showboats 52

Los Angeles Express 19, New Orleans Brass 21

Oklahoma Outlaws 13, Oakland Invaders 9

Boston Breakers 42, Las Vegas Ace 30

Standings

USFL Playoff Picture After Week 16 (1985)

Players of the Week

Offense: Bobby Hebert, QB, Michigan Panthers. Hebert put on a show against the Federals. He completed 21 of 27 passes for 433 yards and 7 touchdowns. The performance helped to keep Michigan in the running for a higher playoff seed.

Defense: Pat Brackett, DT, New Jersey Generals. Brackett sacked the quarterback 3 times, caused a fumble, and recorded 4 tackles. His performance helped the Generals stay alive for the division title in the Atlantic division.

Special Teams: Lonnie Harris, KR, Arizona Wranglers. Harris returned 6 kicks for 216 yards, including an electrifying 94 yard touchdown to answer the Gamblers and keep the Wranglers in the game.

Week 15 Recap: High-Scoring Showdowns and Tight Finishes Define USFL Action

Week 15 of the 1985 USFL season delivered a mix of dominant performances and nail-biting finishes as teams fought for playoff positioning. The Washington Federals made a statement with a 44-27 victory over the Philadelphia Stars on Saturday, fueled by an explosive offense and a defense that stymied Philadelphia’s attempts to mount a comeback. Meanwhile, the Michigan Panthers showcased a balanced attack in their 27-10 win over the Oklahoma Outlaws, solidifying their reputation as one of the league’s most disciplined squads. The Chicago Blitz capped Saturday’s action with a commanding 37-10 rout of the Las Vegas Ace, leveraging a relentless defensive effort that kept Las Vegas off the scoreboard for most of the game.

Sunday featured an array of intriguing contests, including the Pittsburgh Maulers’ thrilling 28-21 win over the New Jersey Generals. The Maulers executed a clutch drive in the final minutes to secure the victory and keep their postseason hopes alive. In Tampa Bay, the Bandits rolled past the Jacksonville Bulls 38-7, with their dynamic offense firing on all cylinders. Houston’s Jim Kelly added another standout performance to his MVP campaign, guiding the Gamblers to a 30-13 triumph over the San Antonio Gunslingers. Elsewhere, the New Orleans Brass edged the Memphis Showboats 34-26 in a back-and-forth affair that highlighted the Brass’s explosive playmaking ability.

The day also saw some heart-stopping finishes in the West. The Denver Gold dismantled the Los Angeles Express 38-21 behind a powerful rushing attack and a suffocating defense. The Arizona Wranglers narrowly escaped with a 16-15 victory over the Oakland Invaders, holding their opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Finally, the Birmingham Stallions continued their dominance, defeating the Boston Breakers 35-21 in a game where they leaned on their ground game and opportunistic defense. As the season winds down, Week 15 further intensified the race for playoff positioning, setting up a dramatic finish to the 1985 campaign.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 16 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Washington Federals 44, Philadelphia Stars 27

Michigan Panthers 27, Oklahoma Outlaws 10

Chicago Blitz 37, Las Vegas Ace 10

Sunday

Pittsburgh Maulers 28, New Jersey Generals 21

Jacksonville Bulls 7, Tampa Bay Bandits 38

San Antonio Gunslingers 13, Houston Gamblers 30

Memphis Showboats 26, New Orleans Brass 34

Los Angeles Express 21, Denver Gold 38

Oakland Invaders 15, Arizona Wranglers 16

Boston Breakers 21, Birmingham Stallions 35

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Reggie Collier, QB, Washington Federals. Collier lit up the Stars defense for 5 passing touchdowns en route to a 44-27 victory for the Federals. The win puts them half a game ahead of New Jersey for the division lead.

Defense: John Lee, DL, Chicago Blitz. The Blitz defense terrorized Las Vegas all day on Sunday. Among the players, John Lee intercepted a pass, sacked the QB, made 3 tackles, and forced a fumble.

Special Teams: Stan Talley, P, Oakland Invaders. Talley helped keep the game close with his kicking game. He punted 6 times for 297 yards, a 49.5 average and a long punt of 53 yards.

Here’s a 3-paragraph recap style article for Week 14 of your USFL replay league:

Week 14 of the USFL Replay League saw a mixed bag of results, with some teams solidifying their playoff positions while others faced crucial setbacks. The Birmingham Stallions continued their dominant run with a convincing victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits, further cementing their place atop the standings. The Boston Breakers pulled off an impressive upset against the New Jersey Generals, while the Denver Gold secured a crucial win over the Las Vegas Aces in a tightly contested matchup.

Several teams experienced contrasting fortunes. The Houston Gamblers showcased their offensive firepower with a resounding win over the Chicago Blitz, while the Arizona Wranglers held off a late charge from the Los Angeles Express to secure a valuable victory. The Philadelphia Stars edged out the Pittsburgh Maulers in a closely contested affair, while the Memphis Showboats narrowly defeated the Washington Federals. In other action, the Jacksonville Bulls outlasted the New Orleans Brass in a high-scoring encounter, and the Oakland Invaders narrowly defeated the Michigan Panthers in a thrilling matchup.

Week 14 provided plenty of excitement and drama, with several teams vying for playoff spots. The final week of the regular season promises to be even more intense as teams battle for seeding and a chance to compete for the USFL Replay League championship. The upcoming matchups will undoubtedly have significant implications for the playoff picture, and fans can expect another thrilling week of USFL action.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 14 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Houston Gamblers 45, Chicago Blitz 20

Los Angeles Express 14, Arizona Wranglers 20

Pittsburgh Maulers 24, Philadelphia Stars 27

Sunday

Tampa Bay Bandits 7, Birmingham Stallions 20

Memphis Showboats 22, Washington Federals 13

New Jersey Generals 23, Boston Breakers 30

Oakland Invaders 31, Michigan Panthers 28

Jacksonville Bulls 35, New Orleans Brass 28

Denver Gold 20, Las Vegas Ace 7

San Antonio Gunslingers 19, Oklahoma Outlaws 7

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Todd Fowler, RB, Houston Gamblers. Fowler ran all over the Chicago defense for 174 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also caught 3 passes for 36 yards. The win put the Gamblers 1 game ahead in the division with 4 to play.

Defense: David Martin, CB, Arizona Wranglers. Martin intercepted two passes, returning the first for a touchdown to open the scoring in the Arizona Wranglers win over the Express. The win kept them in first place in the Pacific division.

Special Teams: Eric Robinson, KR, Washington Federals. Robinson won the award for the fourth time in his career, returning 7 kicks for 212 yards for a 30.3 yard average.

Week 13 of the 1985 USFL season delivered drama, standout performances, and crucial victories as the playoff picture continued to take shape. Saturday’s slate set the tone with decisive wins across the board. The Jacksonville Bulls dominated the Memphis Showboats in a 27-7 affair, capitalizing on a stifling defense. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blitz cruised past the Oklahoma Outlaws, 36-13, thanks to their explosive offense and a standout day from quarterback Vince Evans. The Birmingham Stallions secured a critical road win over the New Orleans Brass, pulling away late for a 27-13 victory behind their relentless rushing attack.

Sunday’s action was nothing short of spectacular, starting with a nail-biter in Philadelphia where the Boston Breakers edged the Stars 32-28 in a game highlighted by multiple lead changes and a late-game heroics from quarterback Johnny Walton. The Michigan Panthers dismantled the San Antonio Gunslingers 32-14, reasserting their dominance behind the stellar play of Anthony Carter. The Tampa Bay Bandits pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the red-hot Houston Gamblers 27-24, with their defense stepping up to stifle Jim Kelly’s high-powered passing attack. The Arizona Wranglers eked out a 9-6 victory over the Las Vegas Ace in a defensive slugfest, while the New Jersey Generals’ Doug Flutie orchestrated a thrilling 31-28 comeback win against the Denver Gold.

The week closed with fireworks as the Oakland Invaders obliterated the Los Angeles Express 57-28, showcasing one of the season’s most dominant offensive displays. Lastly, the Washington Federals outlasted the Pittsburgh Maulers 30-27 in an overtime thriller, a testament to the league’s parity and unpredictability. With Week 14 on the horizon, teams are gearing up for the final stretch of the season, where every play could define postseason destinies.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 13 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Memphis Showboats 7, Jacksonville Bulls 27

Chicago Blitz 36, Oklahoma Outlaws 13

Birmingham Stallions 27, New Orleans Brass 13

Sunday

Boston Breakers 32, Philadelphia Stars 28

Michigan Panthers 32, San Antonio Gunslingers 14

Tampa Bay Bandits 27, Houston Gamblers 24

Las Vegas Ace 6, Arizona Wranglers 9

New Jersey Generals 31, Denver Gold 28

Oakland Invaders 57, Los Angeles Express 28

Washington Federals 30, Pittsburgh Maulers 27

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Craig Sundberg, QB, Oakland Invaders. Sundberg came up big for the Invaders in their rivalry game against Los Angeles. He threw for 385 yards on 27-37 passing with 4 touchdowns. He also added a touchdown on the ground to help rout the cross state Express.

Defense: John Nevens, LB, Denvef Gold. Nevens played well in spite of the Gold loss to the Generals. He made 15 tackles, forced a fumble, and intercepted Generals QB Doug Flutie once.

Special Teams: Greg Cater and Case DeBruijn, P, Las Vegas Ace and Arizona Wranglers. In a game with only 15 points, both punters put on a show in Arizona on Sunday afternoon. DeBruijn punted 11 times for 490 yards (a 44.5 average). Not to be outdone, Cater punted 13 times for 641 yards (49.3 average) and an astounding 83 yard long.

Week 10 in the 1985 USFL replay league kicked off with a commanding performance by the Michigan Panthers, who overwhelmed the Boston Breakers 37-20. The Panthers’ efficient offense set the tone early, while their defense held the Breakers in check. Oklahoma also impressed with a solid 34-14 victory over Pittsburgh, dominating on both sides of the ball. Las Vegas came out on top in a low-scoring battle against New Orleans, edging out a 21-14 win as both defenses showed grit.

Sunday’s action saw the Birmingham Stallions continue their strong season with a 28-16 victory over Washington, controlling the pace from start to finish. Arizona took down San Antonio 22-3, leaning on a suffocating defense that shut down the Gunslingers’ offense. In the highest-scoring game of the week, the Philadelphia Stars fell just short against Jim Kelly and the Houston Gamblers in a 43-34 shootout, with Kelly once again putting on a clinic through the air.

In other notable matchups, the New Jersey Generals squeezed out a 21-18 win over Memphis in a tightly contested game, while Chicago fended off Los Angeles for a 27-20 victory. Jacksonville cruised to a 26-7 win over Denver, capitalizing on a complete team effort. Finally, Tampa Bay fell short in a 28-25 thriller against Oakland, as the Invaders held on in the closing moments to secure a hard-fought win.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 10 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Michigan Panthers 37, Boston Breakers 20

Oklahoma Outlaws 34, Pittsburgh Maulers 14

Las Vegas Ace 21, New Orleans Brass 14

Sunday

Birmingham Stallions 28, Washington Federals 16

Arizona Wranglers 22, San Antonio Gunslingers 3

Philadelphia Stars 34, Houston Gamblers 43

New Jersey Generals 21, Memphis Showboats 18

Los Angeles Express 20, Chicago Blitz 27

Jacksonville Bulls 26, Denver Blitz 7

Tampa Bay 25 Bandits, Oakland Invaders 28

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Sam Harrell, RB, Houston Gamblers. Harrell took most of the workload for the prolific Houston offense this week, running the ball 12 times for 84 yards (a 7.0 ypc average) and 4 touchdowns. He was instrumental in the Gamblers win over the Stars.

Defense: David Martin, CB, Arizona Wranglers. Martin was a one man wrecking crew against the Gunslingers. In addition to 4 tackles, he also forced a fumble and intercepted two passes to help the Wranglers defeat San Antonio.

Special Teams: Zenon Andrushyshyn, K/P, Tampa Bay Bandits. The Tampa kicker did it all. He made all of his kicks (1 field goal and 2 extra points) while punting the ball 5 times for 201 yards (a 40.2 average). In spite of this, the Invaders edged his team 28-25 in a close game.

In Week 9, Saturday’s action featured a tight contest between the Philadelphia Stars and San Antonio Gunslingers. The Stars held on for a narrow 28-26 victory, with Chuck Fusina leading a balanced offensive attack. San Antonio’s Rick Neuheisel mounted a late comeback, but a missed two-point conversion left them just short. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Bandits secured a 28-20 win over the Los Angeles Express, thanks to big plays from John Reaves and receiver Eric Truvil. The Denver Gold, behind a relentless rushing attack, surged past the Boston Breakers 36-20 to cap off Saturday’s games.

Sunday’s matchups saw a dominant performance from the Jacksonville Bulls, who overwhelmed the Oklahoma Outlaws 59-13. Jacksonville’s offense exploded, while the Outlaws struggled to find any rhythm. In a closer game, the New Jersey Generals edged the Michigan Panthers 32-28, with Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie delivering key plays in the Generals’ victory. The Oakland Invaders lost a heartbreaker to the Birmingham Stallions, 28-25, as the Stallions rallied late to secure the win. The Washington Federals also earned a thrilling 42-37 win over the Memphis Showboats, thanks to a clutch final drive.

Elsewhere, the Houston Gamblers continued their high-powered offensive show with a 49-24 victory over the Las Vegas Ace, led by another stellar performance from Jim Kelly. The Chicago Blitz took down the Pittsburgh Maulers 31-21, using a strong defensive effort in the second half to stifle Pittsburgh’s attack. In the final game, the Arizona Wranglers dominated the New Orleans Brass 24-3, with their defense smothering the Brass’ offense all game long.

Games

Saturday

San Antonio Gunslingers 26, Philadelphia Stars 28

Los Angeles Express 20, Tampa Bay Bandits 28

Denver Gold 36, Boston Breakers 20

Sunday

Oklahoma Outlaws 13, Jacksonville Bulls 59

Michigan Panthers 28, New Jersey Generals 32

Oakland Invaders 25, Birmingham Stallions 28

Washington Federals 42, Memphis Showboats 37

Las Vegas Ace 24, Houston Gamblers 49

Pittsburgh Maulers 21, Chicago Blitz 31

Arizona Wranglers 24, New Orleans Brass 3

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Joey Walters, WR, Washington Federals. In a week of great receiving lines (Dwayne Dixon 10-149, 3TD, Bill Johnson who recorded over 100 yards rushing and receiving, and Derek Holloway 5-151, 2 TD), Joey Walters trumped them both with 11 catches for a game record 257 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Federals’ crazy 42-37 win over Memphis.

Defense: Don Thorp, DE, Tampa Bay Bandits. Thorp terrorized Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon. He sacked the quarterback 3 times, forced a fumble, and recorded 7 other tackles on the day to earn defensive player of the week.

Special Teams: Greg Taylor, KR, Washington Federals. Taylor returned 3 kicks for 118 yards and a 39.3 yard average. Moreover, he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 90 yards for a touchdown and set the tone for a wild second half of football in the game.

Week 8 of the USFL season kicked off on Saturday with three notable matchups. The Washington Federals secured a 26-12 victory over the Michigan Panthers, as their defense kept Michigan’s offense in check throughout the game. Meanwhile, the Birmingham Stallions held off the Philadelphia Stars in a thrilling 28-24 contest, with Cliff Stoudt leading the way with 247 passing yards and a touchdown. In a defensive showdown, the New Orleans Brass shut out the Denver Gold 15-0, despite Denver linebacker Mark Daum recording a single-game record of 17 tackles.

Sunday’s action saw the Tampa Bay Bandits cruise to a 41-16 win over the Boston Breakers, with standout performances from Eric Truvil and kicker Zenon Andryshyshyn, who contributed 11 points. The New Jersey Generals also continued their strong form, defeating the Chicago Blitz 19-7 behind a balanced offensive attack. In Oklahoma, the Outlaws pulled off a solid 24-12 victory over the Oakland Invaders, taking control in the second half with key plays on both sides of the ball.

The Memphis Showboats delivered one of the week’s biggest surprises by dismantling the Houston Gamblers 31-13, ending Houston’s hot streak. The Arizona Wranglers edged the Jacksonville Bulls 17-10 in a tightly contested affair, while the Pittsburgh Maulers secured a 26-10 win over the Las Vegas Ace thanks to a strong all-around team performance. Finally, the Los Angeles Express defeated the San Antonio Gunslingers 28-14, capping off a week filled with hard-fought games and standout individual performances.

Games

Saturday

Michigan Panthers 12, Washington Federals 26

Philadelphia Stars 24, Birmingham Stallions 28

Denver Gold 0, New Orleans 15

Sunday

Boston Breakers 16, Tampa Bay Bandits 41

Chicago Blitz 7, New Jersey Generals 19

Oakland Invaders 12, Oklahoma Outlaws 24

Memphis Showboats 31, Houston Gamblers 13

Jacksonville Bulls 10, Arizona Wranglers 17

Pittsburgh Maulers 26, Las Vegas Ace 10

San Antonio Gunslingers 14, Los Angeles Express 28

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Cliff Stoudt, QB, Birmingham Stallions. Cliff Stoudt had a stellar performance in his team’s 28-24 victory over the Philadelphia Stars, earning him Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 8. Stoudt completed 17 of 26 passes for 247 yards and threw four touchdown passes, finishing with an impressive 119.7 passer rating. His leadership and accuracy were key in securing the close win, including a late drive that solidified his team’s triumph.

Defense: Mark Daum, LB, Denver Gold. Mark Daum, the Denver Gold linebacker, delivered an impressive performance in his team’s 15-0 loss to the New Orleans Brass. He set a single-game record with 17 tackles and also forced a fumble, showcasing his relentless presence on defense despite Denver’s struggles on offense. His performance was a standout in an otherwise difficult game for the Gold.

Special Teams: Zenon Andrushyshyn, K, Tampa Bay Bandits. Zenon Andryshyshyn repeated as Special Teams Player of the Week with a flawless performance in Tampa Bay’s 41-16 win over the Boston Breakers. He went 2-for-2 on field goals, including a long of 47 yards, and nailed all five of his extra point attempts, contributing 11 points to his team’s dominant showing.

Week 7 featured a weekend packed with action, with several games showcasing dominant offensive performances. On Saturday, the Chicago Blitz steamrolled the Boston Breakers 49-14, with their offense firing on all cylinders. The Tampa Bay Bandits also had a strong showing, defeating the Las Vegas Ace 41-21, highlighted by Eric Truvil’s spectacular receiving display. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Brass edged out the Oakland Invaders in a thrilling 21-20 contest, pulling off a narrow victory in a game that came down to the wire.

Sunday’s matchups brought more drama and close finishes. The Jacksonville Bulls eked out a 17-14 win over the Philadelphia Stars, relying on their defense to hold strong in the closing moments. Pittsburgh delivered a major upset, as the Maulers beat the Birmingham Stallions 21-19, snapping Birmingham’s momentum. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Generals dominated the Oklahoma Outlaws 49-22, thanks to a potent offense led by Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie.

Other games saw high-scoring affairs, with the Houston Gamblers outlasting the Memphis Showboats 44-38 in a thrilling shootout, while Denver Gold narrowly beat the San Antonio Gunslingers 38-33. Washington Federals clinched a 21-16 victory over the Arizona Wranglers, and the Michigan Panthers secured a convincing 30-13 win over the Los Angeles Express, rounding out a week of exciting matchups across the league.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 7 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Chicago Blitz 49, Boston Breakers 14

Tampa Bay Bandits 41, Las Vegas Ace 21

New Orleans Brass 21, Oakland Invaders 20

Sunday

Jacksonville Bulls 17, Philadelphia Stars 14

Birmingham Stallions 19, Pittsburgh Maulers 21

New Jersey Generals 49, Oklahoma Outlaws 22

Houston Gamblers 44, Memphis Showboats 38

San Antonio Gunslingers 33, Denver Gold 38

Washington Federals 21, Arizona Wranglers 16

Michigan Panthers 30, Los Angeles Express 13

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Eric Truvillion, WR, Tampa Bay Bandits. In a dominant performance, Truvillion hauled in 9 receptions on 13 targets for 191 yards, averaging 21.2 yards per catch. He was instrumental in securing 9 first downs and 3 touchdowns, including a 41-yard score, leading the Tampa Bay Bandits to a 41-21 victory over the Las Vegas Ace.

Defense: Frank Minnifield, DB, Chicago Blitz. Minnifield delivered a stellar defensive performance with 3 tackles and 2 interceptions, returning them for 58 yards, including a touchdown that solidified his impact on the win over the Breakers.

Special Teams: Zenon Andrushyshyn, K/P, Tampa Bay Bandits. Andrushyshyn pulled double duty as kicker and punter in Tampa Bay’s win over the Las Vegas Ace. He kicked 2 field goals and 5 extra points wihtout a miss for 11 points on the day. He also punted 5 times for an average of 43.2 yards to help win the field position game.