USFL

Get geared for more football action as the newest football league in America is set to begin on April 16, 2022. The United States Football League is a professional football league that is being launched with eight competing teams. It is a Spring football league as compared to the NFL which is a fall/winter league. USFL is set to keep you on the edge with a new set of players and teams to root for during the NFL off-season.

The inaugural season of the USFL is set to be played in Birmingham, Alabama. The playoff games are set to be played in Canton, Ohio. The league will take place from mid-April and the regular season will continue till mid-June. That will be followed by playoffs.

The USFL is the namesake of an older football league that was active from 1983 to 1985. The new league own the trademarks of the old USFL but it is not officially affiliated with the older league. The USFL name is being used for the fourth time after three previous attempts to establish a working football league with the same name.

USFL 2022 Rules

The United States Football League (USFL) follows rules that are similar to the National Football League (NFL). However, to make the 8-team league exciting, the rules are tweaked and there are a few differences in the rules between the two leagues.

Here is a lowdown of the unique rules that are made for the USFL:

1. Teams will attempt three alternating two-point tries in overtime. Whoever has the most points after the three tries will be declared the winner. If still tied after three attempts, overtime becomes sudden death and the next successful attempt ends the game. A coin toss will be called by the visiting team; whoever wins the toss can choose to go on offense or defense. One timeout can be called per try.
2. Two forward passes are allowed from behind the line of scrimmage.
3. An offensive lineman may advance downfield on a forward pass play in which the pass does not cross the line of scrimmage.
4. Defensive pass interference will be penalized similar to college football (15-yard penalty or spot foul if within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage), but if it is determined the defensive player intentionally interfered with the receiver the penalty will be a spot foul similar to the NFL rule. No pass interference foul will be called if the ball fails to cross the line of scrimmage.
5. A coach is allowed one replay and one challenge per game. Failure to adhere to it will result in the loss of a timeout. All challenges and replay reviews will take place at Fox's facilities in Los Angeles. Replay challenges are automatic in the last two minutes of half and overtime, besides scoring plays and turnovers, as in the NFL.
6. Kickoffs will be made from the kicking team’s 25-yard line in all cases. A kicking team member is not allowed to line up further back than 1-yard. The receiving team must have at least eight players in the setup zone between their 35 and 45.
7. The ball will belong to a receiving team at a spot if an untouched kick becomes dead.
8. A kicking team is not permitted to recover or touch their own kickoff beyond 20 yards from the spot of the kick.
9. If a team is trailing, they can choose to execute either an onside kick or in lieu of a kickoff, attempt to gain 12 yards on a scrimmage play from the offense’s 33-yard line.
10. On punts, gunners may not line up outside the numbers and they cannot be double-team blocked until the ball is kicked.
11. The clock will stop for first downs after the two-minute warning in the second and fourth quarters, similar to the rule the previous incarnation of the league used.
12. After a touchdown, a team will have 3 options to attempt point(s):
13. PAT kick (or drop kick) from the 15-yard line (same as the NFL)
14. Two-point conversion from the two-yard line (also same as the NFL)
15. Three-point conversion from the 10-yard line

USFL 2022 Teams

The USFL is an 8 team league divided into two divisions, North Division and South Division. The teams are set to play a 10-game schedule. They will face teams from the same division twice and teams from the other division once. The top two teams from each division will face each other in the semi-finals and then the winners will compete in the final for the USFL winner title.

NORTH DIVISION

1. Michigan Panthers
2. New Jersey Generals
3. Philadelphia Stars
4. Pittsburgh Maulers

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Birmingham Stallions
2. Houston Gamblers
3. New Orleans Breakers
4. Tampa Bay Bandits

USFL 2022 Cities

All games of the inaugural season of the USFL is set to be played in Birmingham, Alabama. The regular-season games will all be played there. Birmingham is one of the most dynamic and welcoming cities according to Edward Hartman, the USFL Executive Vice President, Business Operations.

The regular-season games will be played across two stadiums in the city. One is the Protective Stadium and the other one is the Legion Field. Both stadiums are walking distance from the hotels where the teams will reside, and boast of all amenities.

The postseason games are slated to be played in Canton, Ohio. Benson Hall of Fame Stadium has been selected as the postseason games venue for the 2022 USFL. This stadium is adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Top Players to watch out for in USFL 2022

USFL teams are ready for the season after the USFL draft. The team rosters include 38-active men and a 7-man practice squad. Here are the top players who you need to keep an eye out for in the USFL:

Jordan Ta’amu - Quarterback, Tampa Bay Bandits

Ta’amu has previously played in the XFL and became one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He used to play for the Mexico Military Institute for 2 seasons In his senior season he passed for 3,918 yards, 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He also rushed for 342 yards and 6 touchdowns. He joined the University of Mississippi and became the starting quarterback in 2018. Ta’amu has the ability to make it or break it for the Tampa Bay Bandits.

CJ Marable - Running Back, Birmingham Stallions

The young running back is set to appear professionally for the first time in his career. He attended Coastal California and in his final 2 seasons with the team, he accounted for 23 touchdowns and 5.2 yards per carrying. He also made 10 receiving touchdowns. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft, as an undrafted free agent but was not part of the final team roster.

Cavon Walker - Defensive End, Michigan Panthers

Cavon Walker is a versatile player as he can play defensive end and also defensive tackle. He plied his trade at the XFL for the New York Guardians, recording the most sacks in the league (4.5). He is set to be an exciting player for the Panthers as he has the ability to produce some fine defensive moments.

De’Vante Bausby - Cornerback, New Jersey Generals

Bausby is a Vince Lombardi Trophy winner as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 2015 NFL Draft. Bausby is an experienced player who has the ability to be a leading voice for the New Jersey Generals.

Shea Patterson - Quarterback, Michigan Panthers

Patterson was the overall number 1 pick of the first-ever USFL Draft. He led the IMG academy to an undefeated season as a senior and earned Big-Ten honours after playing two seasons with the University of Mississippi two with the University of Michigan. He was an undrafted free agent for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. Patterson has the ability to be a vital part of the Michigan Panthers franchise.

Taywan Taylor - Wide Receiver, New Orleans Breakers

He is regarded as the best wide receiver in the history of Western Kentucky. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the NFL 2017 Draft. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019. He has 50 NFL career receptions and is a great addition to the New Orleans Breakers. Taywan Taylor can form a formidable partnership with quarterback Kyle Sloter.

Avery Gennesy - Offensive Tackle, Houston Gamblers

Gennesy has already proven himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the XFL. He allowed only one quarterback pressure in 222 pass-blocking snaps for the Houston Roughnecks. The offensive tackle looks to impress again in the new league.

Eli Rogers - Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Bandits

Eli Rodgers has already spent four seasons under Tampa Bay Bandits’ head coach Todd Haley. Haley was the offensive coordinator when Rodgers played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. With Jordan Ta’amu as his quarterback, Eli Rodgers can be considered a great threat to opposing teams.

John Franklin III - Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Bandits

Franklin is an experienced member of the Tampa Bay Bandits squad and even boasts a Super Bowl ring after winning one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. He is a downfield threat and has been compared to Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, due to his playing style.

Paxton Lynch - Quarterback, Michigan Panthers

Lynch is the only NFL first-round Draft selection to be playing the USFL. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2016. The 6 foot 7 quarterback has the potential to be a vital player for the Panthers.

Where to watch the USFL 2022?

The USFL has a joint media partnership with NBC Sports and Fox Sports. All 43 games of the USFL will be broadcasted by NBC Sports and Fox Sports. There are 18 primetime games. One semi-final game each will be cast by NBC Sports and Fox Sports respectively and the final will be streamed on both channels.

The final is scheduled to take place on 3rd July 2022. The semi-final games are slated to be played on 25th June 2023.

You can even stream the games on Peacock (NBC Universal’s official streaming platform).

Tentative Broadcast Plan for the USFL 2022:

Total Games – 43

Total Telecasts – 44

Simulcasts – 1

Primetime Game – 18

FOX & NBC Broadcasts – 23

FOX – 14

FS1 – 8

NBC & Peacock – 9

USA Network – 9

Peacock (exclusive) – 4

Friday Games – 4

Saturday Games – 19

Sunday Games – 20

You can even catch the games live from the stadiums in Birmingham and Canton. Tickets are available for sale on the official USFL website (https://www.theusfl.com/). The tickets are being sold through Ticketmaster. Hurry and get your full season ticket for the first-ever season of the USFL.