USFL Week 5 Recap: Blowouts, Shutouts, and a Rare Tie Highlight the Weekend Action
Week 5 of the 1985 USFL season was marked by dominant performances, surprising upsets, and even a rare tie as teams across the league battled for early-season supremacy. On Saturday, the Michigan Panthers delivered a statement win, dismantling the Oakland Invaders 49-14 behind a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defense. The Chicago Blitz’s defense also shined, intercepting four passes and returning two for touchdowns in their 45-20 victory over the New Orleans Brass. Meanwhile, the Houston Gamblers continued to flex their offensive firepower, with Jim Kelly throwing for eight touchdowns, including five to Ricky Sanders, in a 58-24 rout of the Boston Breakers.
Sunday’s action saw a mix of shutouts, close contests, and one of the most competitive games of the season. The Washington Federals pitched a shutout against the Arizona Wranglers, winning 27-0, while the Jacksonville Bulls rolled over the Las Vegas Aces 31-10. In a low-scoring defensive battle, the Birmingham Stallions edged out the Philadelphia Stars 19-13. The Memphis Showboats, led by a high-octane offense, overwhelmed the Pittsburgh Maulers 54-14, while the Tampa Bay Bandits secured a 21-10 victory over the San Antonio Gunslingers with a balanced effort on both sides of the ball.
The week concluded with two thrilling matchups that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The New Jersey Generals and Denver Gold battled to a rare 24-24 tie, with both teams’ defenses holding firm in the final minutes. Finally, the Los Angeles Express edged out the Oklahoma Outlaws 30-27 in a closely contested game, capping off an exciting week of USFL football. As teams continue to jostle for position, Week 5’s results have set the stage for what promises to be an intense and unpredictable season ahead.
USFL Stat Leaders After Week 5 (1985)
Games
Saturday
Oakland Invaders 14, Michigan Panthers 49
New Orleans Brass 20, Chicago Blitz 45
Houston Gamblers 58, Boston Breakers 24
Sunday
Las Vegas Ace 10, Jacksonville Bulls 31
Arizona Wranglers 0, Washington Federals 27
Birmingham Stallions 19, Philadelphia Stars 13
Pittsburgh Maulers 14, Memphis Showboats 54
Tampa Bay Bandits 21, San Antonio Gunslingers 10
New Jersey Generals 24, Denver Gold 24
Oklahoma Outlaws 27, Los Angeles Express 30
Standings
Players of the Week
Offense – Jim Kelly, QB, Houston Gamblers. Houston Gamblers quarterback Jim Kelly delivered a performance for the ages in Week 5 of the fictional 1985 USFL replay league, earning him Player of the Week honors. Kelly was unstoppable, throwing for a staggering 497 yards and 8 touchdowns. Five of those scoring passes found their way to wide receiver Ricky Sanders, showcasing the lethal connection between the two. With a passer rating of 135.4, Kelly’s dominant display solidified his reputation as one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the league.
Defense: Chicago Blitz secondary. The Chicago Blitz defense put on a masterclass in their Week 5 showdown against the New Orleans Brass, leading the way to a commanding 45-20 victory. The Blitz secondary was relentless, intercepting four passes for 113 yards and returning two of them for touchdowns. This defensive dominance stifled the Brass’ offensive efforts and kept them from mounting any serious threat throughout the game. Chicago’s opportunistic and hard-hitting defense was the key to their victory, showcasing their ability to turn turnovers into game-changing plays.
In an otherwise forgettable 58-24 loss for the Boston Breakers against the Houston Gamblers, Louis Jackson emerged as the lone bright spot, earning Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Jackson was a workhorse on kick returns, fielding eight kicks for 187 yards, averaging 23.4 yards per return with a long of 28. Despite the lopsided score, Jackson’s efforts on special teams provided a glimmer of hope, consistently giving the Breakers favorable field position in an otherwise challenging game.