Bandits vs. Gamblers USFL Picks Week 3: Who Will Rebound from Week 2 Loss?

Both the Tampa Bay Bandits and Houston Gamblers won their USFL season opener but lost their next game. Only one can get back in the win column this week, and we break down the matchup with our Bandits-Gamblers USFL Week 3 picks.

After the Tampa Bay Bandits won their first game of the season, many were crowning them the future USFL champions. The Bandits came back down to earth last week in a lackluster Week 2 loss. Quarterback Jordan Ta'amu struggled and the defense could not contain New Orleans Breakers QB Kyle Sloter.

The Houston Gamblers also came away with a Week 1 win; however, they had the misfortune of having to take on a serging Birmingham Stallions team in Week 2. Despite QB Clayton Thorson’s three interceptions, the Gamblers still only lost by five points.  

The Bandits are still projected to be the better team in this matchup. The difference here will be how well Houston held up to its tough opponent last week despite adversity versus the lack of ability for Tampa Bay to do the same.

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Here are my USFL picks and predictions for Saturday's game between the Bandits and Gamblers (odds via Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook).

Bandits vs. Gamblers Game Info

Date: Saturday, April 30, 4 p.m. ETTV: FOXLocation: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL.Weather: 81 degrees, 55% chance of precipitation, wind S at 11mph

Bandits vs. Gamblers Odds Analysis

The majority of our top-rated U.S. sportsbooks have this game handicapped the same. Almost all of them give the Bandits a 1.5-point cushion to win this game. Caesars is the lone exception and has an even 2 points in favor of Tampa Bay. 

The moneyline numbers are consistent as well with the Bandits listed at -120. BetMGM has them at -125 and Caesars is offering -130. It does seem though, that books are unsure how to handle Houston. DraftKings, FanDuel, and WynnBET have the Gamblers at +100, while FoxBET and BetMGM have them at -105. Caesars even has them at +110.

SEE ALSO: USFL Week 3 Betting Line Report

Bandits vs. Gamblers Picks

Moneyline: Gamblers (+110 via Caesars)Spread: Gamblers +1.5 (-110 via FanDuel)Over/Under: Over 39 (-110 via Caesars)

SEE ALSO: USFL Best Bets for Week 3

Bandits vs. Gamblers ML Pick

Gamblers (+110)

Tampa Bay did not suddenly become a bad team in just one week. Still, the fact that the Bandits struggled as badly as they did last week should give you pause. Ta’amu had no success in figuring out the New Orleans defense and completed only eight of 18 passes for 62 yards that day.  His defense did not help him out by allowing Sloter to have a career day of 266 yards and 2 touchdowns while going 25-for-39. 

It wasn’t the greatest game for the Gamblers either last week as they too had their struggles. Thorson threw three interceptions in a losing effort. The last of which came at the end of the game when his team had a chance to take the lead. That said, running back Mark Thompson looked strong in gaining 93 yards on 16 carries. Defensively, Houston recovered a fumble and intercepted Stallions QB J'Mar Smith once. 

The Gamblers had themselves in a position to upset arguably the best team in the league. Expect that confidence to carry over into another tough matchup this week and for them to come out on top this time.

Bandits vs. Gamblers ATS Pick

Gamblers +1.5 (-110)

By picking the Gamblers to win on the moneyline, you should almost certainly double up with this spread. We have yet to see a game decided by fewer than four points all season; however, it's wise to get some insurance in a matchup of two teams that have shown two very different versions of themselves across two outings.

Bandits vs. Gamblers O/U Pick

Over 38.5 (-110)

Tampa Bay is entering this game averaging only 10 points per game over its first two contests. On the flip side, the Gamblers have a 22.5-point average for their first two games. Each side would need only another field goal apiece to come within a point of this total. Their offenses are capable of doing just that. 

Also worth noting is that last week, these teams surrendered a combined 67 points to their opponents. Given how generous these two defenses are, a 20-point game by both teams is not out of reach.

Where to Bet on Bandits-Gamblers Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel SportsbookCaesars SportsbookDraftKings SportsbookPointsBetBetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Bandits-Gamblers picks made on 4/29/2022 at 12:25 p.m. ET.