Bandits vs. Maulers USFL Picks: Marquee Matchup Concludes Week 1 Slate

The opening weekend of the USFL closes with the last game of an Easter Sunday triple-header. We look ahead to the Week 1 finale with our top USFL picks for the matchup between the Tampa Bay Bandits and Pittsburgh Maulers.

One of the league’s premier quarterbacks will take the field in the last game of the USFL’s opening weekend. Jordan Ta’amu, who rose to fame in the XFL, leads Tampa Bay in the Bandits’ debut. His team is the favorite to win this opening game against the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Both Ta'amu and his opponents will fight through the rain in Birmingham to wrap up Week 1 of the USFL season. Anything can and will happen Sunday night, but it will be a fun ride nonetheless. The New Jersey Generals and Birmingham Stallions will get things started on Saturday.

Here are my USFL picks and predictions for Sunday’s game between the Bandits and Maulers (odds via Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Bandits vs. Maulers Game Info

Date: Sunday, April 17, 8 p.m. ETTV: FS1Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, ALWeather: 61 degrees, 85% chance of precipitation

https://twitter.com/USFLMaulers/status/1514649012183478273

Bandits vs. Maulers Odds Analysis

Tampa Bay enters the first weekend of the new-look USFL as the heaviest favorite on the slate. On FOXBet, the Bandits are juiced to -213. The highest price you can find is -190 via Caesars.

This is due in large part to the relative notoriety of Bandits quarterback, Jordan Ta’amu. Experts have him slated as the top player in the league and are obviously adjusting the odds to reflect this perceived mismatch.

Check out our top-rated sportsbooks here

Bandits vs. Maulers Projected Starters

Leading the Tampa Bay offense is Ta’amu, who is easily one of the more recognizable names in the new league for those familiar with his time in the XFL. As the quarterback for the St. Louis BattleHawks, Ta’amu dazzled with his athleticism. He threw for 1,050 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 217 yards and a touchdown. 

The Maulers will hand the ball to Kyle Lauletta. After throwing for more than 10,000 yards for the Richmond Spiders, he went on to play for the New York Giants. In his only NFL game action in 2018, he went 0-for-5 with an interception.

Bandits vs. Maulers Picks

Moneyline: Bandits (-190 via Caesars)Spread: Maulers +4.5 (-120 via FanDuel)Over/Under: Under 42.5 (-115 via BetMGM)

SEE ALSO: USFL Best Bets for Week 1

Bandits vs. Maulers ML Pick

Bandits (-190)

With this being the first game for either team not only of the season but in their existence, the edge goes to the team with the most seasoned leaders. For the Bandits on offense, that is Ta’amu. However, they also have a player in the defensive secondary that offers plenty of veteran leadership.

Safety Anthony Cioffi appeared in 43 games in the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks and BC Lions. He has three interceptions in his career, and his presence will make things difficult for Lauletta, especially in the first game of the season.

SEE ALSO: USFL Championship Futures

https://twitter.com/USFL/status/1514262255378042880

Bandits vs. Maulers Spread Pick

Maulers +4.5 (-120)

While the Bandits should have no problem winning this game, it should not be expected to be a runaway. It is expected to rain on Sunday night in Birmingham which will likely keep scoring low. Add to that the fact that this game will be the last of three played on the same field in those conditions. 

Pittsburgh should be able to keep within this margin of victory should this game turn into a battle between the 20s.

Bandits vs. Maulers O/U Pick

Under 42.5 (-115)

Again, the field elements as well as the weather factor into this pick. The stress and pressure of launching a new franchise in a new league is already tough enough. Adding a sloppy field in the last leg of a triple-header is more than enough to make scoring that much more difficult. 

This game will likely end up slogging its way to the final gun. Go ahead and take the extra point BetMGM is offering even though you will have to pay a little more for it.

Where to Bet on Bandits-Maulers Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel SportsbookCaesars SportsbookDraftKings SportsbookPointsBetBetMGM

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Bandits-Maulers picks made 4/14/202 at 1:08 p.m. ET.