Tampa Bay Bandits at Houston Gamblers 4/30/22 - USFL Picks & Predictions
Last Updated: 04/29/2022 at 8:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Bandits visit the Houston Gamblers on Saturday in a USFL Week 3 showdown. Tampa Bay is 1-1 through the first two weeks and is coming off a tough 34-3 drubbing at the hands of New Orleans. Tampa Bay committed three turnovers in the loss and gained only 192 yards of total offense. Tampa Bay quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was held to just 62 yards passing with one interception.
In last weekend's loss to New Orleans, Tampa Bay's defense could not stop the Breakers’ offense, allowing 374 yards that included four touchdowns. That was a far cry from Week 1, when Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh by allowing only a field goal. Ta’amu has passed for 247 yards with one touchdown, while BJ Emmons is the leading rusher with 79 yards and one touchdown. Cheyenne O’Grady is the leading receiver with 107 yards and one touchdown reception.
Houston is coming off a disappointing 33-28 loss last Saturday to the Birmingham Stallions and dropped to 1-1. Running back Mark Thompson had 93 yards rushing including one gain of 41 yards. However, quarterback Clayton Thorson turned the ball over three times and the defense gave up too much. Houston allowed 391 yards of total offense to Birmingham. The Gamblers led 18-13 at halftime but were outscored 20-10 after the break.
Houston must pick up its defense after allowing 391 yards last week. Houston's defense was on the field for 64 plays against Birmingham and must prevent sustained drives by Tampa Bay. Thorson has passed for 214 yards with three touchdowns, while Mark Thompson has rushed for 163 yards. The leading receiver is Isaiah Zuber with 63 yards and two touchdown receptions. Donald Payne has 34 tackles to lead the Gamblers.
Tampa Bay gained only 194 yards last week and must improve in order to keep Houston off the field. The Gamblers have a solid running attack with Mark Thompson who leads all rushers in the USFL with 163 yards on the ground. Even though Houston lost last week to Birmingham, Thompson gained 93 yards on the ground and his running prowess will prove to be the difference in this matchup. Houston lacks defense but the Tampa Bay offense is below average. Final Score Prediction, Houston Gamblers win and cover ATS 24-20.
