Week 18 of 1985 USFL season provided a thrilling conclusion to the regular season, with teams battling for playoff positioning and pride. Saturday’s slate kicked off with a nail-biter in Boston, where the Breakers edged out the Washington Federals 26-21. Boston relied on a balanced offensive attack and a late defensive stand to secure the victory. In Houston, the Gamblers delivered a dominant performance, blanking the Oklahoma Outlaws 23-0 behind another stellar showing from quarterback Jim Kelly. Meanwhile, the Oakland Invaders survived a fierce comeback attempt by the Las Vegas Ace, clinching a 31-28 victory on a last-second field goal to secure their playoff berth.

Sunday’s action featured standout performances and lopsided affairs. The Pittsburgh Maulers put on an offensive clinic, crushing the Jacksonville Bulls 58-10. Quarterback Brian Sipe orchestrated an aerial assault that overwhelmed the Bulls’ defense. In New Jersey, the Generals rode their formidable ground game to a 22-10 victory over the Philadelphia Stars, solidifying their dominance in the division. On the opposite coast, the San Antonio Gunslingers used a suffocating defense to stifle the Los Angeles Express, earning a 17-6 win to end their season on a high note. Elsewhere, the Chicago Blitz secured a convincing 35-16 victory over the Michigan Panthers, with linebacker Ed Smith continuing his defensive dominance.

The week also featured notable offensive fireworks. The Tampa Bay Bandits dismantled the New Orleans Brass 45-20, with Eric Truvil leading the charge with multiple touchdown receptions. Denver closed out their campaign with a commanding 28-6 victory over Arizona, showcasing their physical rushing attack. Finally, Birmingham defended their home turf with a 24-14 win over the Memphis Showboats, thanks to a relentless running game and timely defensive stops. As the playoffs loom, Week 18 served as a fitting crescendo to a season full of drama, grit, and unforgettable performances.

USFL Regular Season Stat Leaders (1985)

Results

Saturday

Washington Federals 21, Boston Breakers 26

Houston Gamblers 23, Oklahoma Outlaws 0

Oakland Invaders 31, Las Vegas Ace 28

Sunday

New Jersey Generals 22, Philadelphia Stars 10

Memphis Showboats 14, Birmingham Stallions 24

Jacksonville Bulls 10, Pittsburgh Maulers 58

Los Angeles Express 6, San Antonio Gunslingers 17

Michigan Panthers 16, Chicago Blitz 35

Tampa Bay Bandits 45, New Orleans Brass 20

Denver Gold 28, Arizona Wranglers 6

Standings

USFL First Round Playoff Matchups (1985)

Players of the Week

Offense: Brian Sipe nearly single handedly carried the Maulers into the playoffs in their 58-10 drubbing of Memphis. He went 21-32 for 261 yards and 6 touchdowns in a brutally efficient game.

Defense: Charles Armstead, CB, San Antonio Gunsligers. Armstead picked off Los Angeles quarterback Steve Young 3 times. He also added two tackles in a defensive performance that set the tone for the game.

Special Teams: Steve Jordan, K, Pittsburgh Maulers. Jordan was busy in the Maulers offensive performance, kicking 3-3 on field goals, including a long of 43 and 7-7 on extra points for an impressive 16 total points in the game.

Week 17 Recap: Playoff Race Heats Up as Teams Push for Final Standings

USFL Week 17 Recap: Playoff Race Heats Up Heading into the Final Week

Week 17 in the 1985 USFL season delivered a mix of decisive victories and nail-biting finishes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the playoff picture came into sharper focus. The New Jersey Generals secured a pivotal 31-17 win over the Houston Gamblers on Saturday, with a stout defense stifling Jim Kelly and the Gamblers’ high-powered offense. Meanwhile, the Birmingham Stallions edged the Chicago Blitz 31-24, keeping their postseason hopes alive. Denver’s dominant 31-13 triumph over the San Antonio Gunslingers was highlighted by an all-around team effort that left no doubt about their superiority.

Sunday saw plenty of drama and meaningful implications for the final week. The Tampa Bay Bandits prevailed 34-28 over the Oakland Invaders in a thrilling offensive showcase, while the Memphis Showboats kept their momentum rolling with a 38-28 win over the Pittsburgh Maulers, courtesy of their balanced attack. Jacksonville’s defense shone in a 16-3 victory over the Philadelphia Stars, keeping the Bulls in the playoff hunt. Michigan delivered a statement 35-13 victory over Arizona, showcasing their dominance as they steamroll into Week 18. In a battle of pride, the Oklahoma Outlaws edged the New Orleans Brass 20-17, and Las Vegas pulled off a heart-stopping 21-20 win over Boston.

The Washington Federals capped the week with a surprising 21-17 victory over the Los Angeles Express, showing resilience in a hard-fought contest. As the league barrels toward Week 18, several teams find themselves in do-or-die situations, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the regular season. With playoff spots on the line, the final week promises to deliver more unforgettable action in this gripping USFL saga.

USFL Stat Leaders after Week 17 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Houston Gamblers 17, New Jersey Generals 31

Chicago Blitz 24, Birmingham Stallions 31

Denver Gold 31, San Antonio Gunslingers 13

Sunday

Oakland Invaders 28, Tampa Bay Bandits 34

Memphis Showboats 38, Pittsburgh Maulers 28

Philadelphia Stars 3, Jacksonville Bulls 16

Arizona Wranglers 13, Michigan Panthers 35

New Orleans Brass 17, Oklahoma Outlaws 20

Boston Breakers 20, Las Vegas Ace 21

Los Angeles Express 17, Washington Federals 21

Standings

USFL Playoff Picture After Week 17

Players of the Week

Offense: Herschel Walker had another one of his games for the ages, catching 7 passes for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed 32 times for 186 yards and another two touchdowns. The win helped keep the Generals alive for the division lead.

Defense: Ken Graeber, DT, Denver Gold. Graeber recorded 10 tackles, a forced fumble, and 3 sacks to help the Gold win and remain only a half ggame back of Oakland and Michigan in the race for the final wild card spots.

Special Teams: Bob Harris, KR, Birmingham Stallions. Harris returned 3 kicks for 113 yards, including a 90 yard touchdown that proved to be the difference in the game.

Week 16 Recap: Playoff Picture Tightens as USFL Season Nears Conclusion

With just two weeks left in the 1985 USFL season, Week 16 delivered thrilling finishes and critical results in the playoff race. The Houston Gamblers solidified their reputation as the league’s most electrifying team, outlasting the Arizona Wranglers in a 43-38 shootout. Jim Kelly was once again unstoppable, throwing for 385 yards and five touchdowns to lead Houston to its league-best 14th win. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Outlaws stunned the Oakland Invaders 13-9 in a defensive masterpiece, keeping their postseason hopes alive and derailing Oakland’s playoff aspirations.

On Saturday, the Michigan Panthers demolished the Washington Federals 56-27 behind an offensive explosion from Bobby Hebert and John Williams, combining for six total touchdowns. The Philadelphia Stars also shined, rolling past the Tampa Bay Bandits 33-10 thanks to a dominant defensive effort that held Tampa Bay scoreless in the second half. Sunday’s slate was equally intense, with the New Orleans Brass eking out a 21-19 win over the Los Angeles Express, marking their fourth straight victory and strengthening their grip on a playoff berth. In contrast, the Birmingham Stallions’ clutch 20-17 win over the Chicago Blitz came courtesy of a late touchdown drive orchestrated by Cliff Stoudt, keeping Birmingham firmly in the postseason conversation.

Other games saw the Boston Breakers reignite their offense in a 42-30 victory over the Las Vegas Ace, with Marcus Dupree accounting for three touchdowns in a breakout performance. The Denver Gold edged the Jacksonville Bulls 27-24 on a last-second field goal by Ralf Mojsiejenko, while the New Jersey Generals stayed steady with a 21-10 win over the San Antonio Gunslingers, powered by Herschel Walker’s 127 rushing yards. Lastly, the Memphis Showboats continued their ascent with a 52-31 dismantling of the Pittsburgh Maulers, led by Greg Boone’s three-touchdown outburst. As Week 17 looms, the stakes couldn’t be higher for teams jockeying for playoff positioning in a competitive USFL season.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 16 (1985)

Results

Saturday

Tampa Bay Bandits 10, Philadelphia Stars 33

Washington Federals 27, Michigan Panthers 56

Houston Gamblers 43, Arizona Wranglers 38

Sunday

Birmingham Stallions 20, Chicago Blitz 17

Denver Gold 27, Jacksonville Bulls 24

San Antonio Gunslingers 10, New Jersey Generals 21

Pittsburgh Maulers 31, Memphis Showboats 52

Los Angeles Express 19, New Orleans Brass 21

Oklahoma Outlaws 13, Oakland Invaders 9

Boston Breakers 42, Las Vegas Ace 30

Standings

USFL Playoff Picture After Week 16 (1985)

Players of the Week

Offense: Bobby Hebert, QB, Michigan Panthers. Hebert put on a show against the Federals. He completed 21 of 27 passes for 433 yards and 7 touchdowns. The performance helped to keep Michigan in the running for a higher playoff seed.

Defense: Pat Brackett, DT, New Jersey Generals. Brackett sacked the quarterback 3 times, caused a fumble, and recorded 4 tackles. His performance helped the Generals stay alive for the division title in the Atlantic division.

Special Teams: Lonnie Harris, KR, Arizona Wranglers. Harris returned 6 kicks for 216 yards, including an electrifying 94 yard touchdown to answer the Gamblers and keep the Wranglers in the game.

Week 15 Recap: High-Scoring Showdowns and Tight Finishes Define USFL Action

Week 15 of the 1985 USFL season delivered a mix of dominant performances and nail-biting finishes as teams fought for playoff positioning. The Washington Federals made a statement with a 44-27 victory over the Philadelphia Stars on Saturday, fueled by an explosive offense and a defense that stymied Philadelphia’s attempts to mount a comeback. Meanwhile, the Michigan Panthers showcased a balanced attack in their 27-10 win over the Oklahoma Outlaws, solidifying their reputation as one of the league’s most disciplined squads. The Chicago Blitz capped Saturday’s action with a commanding 37-10 rout of the Las Vegas Ace, leveraging a relentless defensive effort that kept Las Vegas off the scoreboard for most of the game.

Sunday featured an array of intriguing contests, including the Pittsburgh Maulers’ thrilling 28-21 win over the New Jersey Generals. The Maulers executed a clutch drive in the final minutes to secure the victory and keep their postseason hopes alive. In Tampa Bay, the Bandits rolled past the Jacksonville Bulls 38-7, with their dynamic offense firing on all cylinders. Houston’s Jim Kelly added another standout performance to his MVP campaign, guiding the Gamblers to a 30-13 triumph over the San Antonio Gunslingers. Elsewhere, the New Orleans Brass edged the Memphis Showboats 34-26 in a back-and-forth affair that highlighted the Brass’s explosive playmaking ability.

The day also saw some heart-stopping finishes in the West. The Denver Gold dismantled the Los Angeles Express 38-21 behind a powerful rushing attack and a suffocating defense. The Arizona Wranglers narrowly escaped with a 16-15 victory over the Oakland Invaders, holding their opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Finally, the Birmingham Stallions continued their dominance, defeating the Boston Breakers 35-21 in a game where they leaned on their ground game and opportunistic defense. As the season winds down, Week 15 further intensified the race for playoff positioning, setting up a dramatic finish to the 1985 campaign.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 16 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Washington Federals 44, Philadelphia Stars 27

Michigan Panthers 27, Oklahoma Outlaws 10

Chicago Blitz 37, Las Vegas Ace 10

Sunday

Pittsburgh Maulers 28, New Jersey Generals 21

Jacksonville Bulls 7, Tampa Bay Bandits 38

San Antonio Gunslingers 13, Houston Gamblers 30

Memphis Showboats 26, New Orleans Brass 34

Los Angeles Express 21, Denver Gold 38

Oakland Invaders 15, Arizona Wranglers 16

Boston Breakers 21, Birmingham Stallions 35

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Reggie Collier, QB, Washington Federals. Collier lit up the Stars defense for 5 passing touchdowns en route to a 44-27 victory for the Federals. The win puts them half a game ahead of New Jersey for the division lead.

Defense: John Lee, DL, Chicago Blitz. The Blitz defense terrorized Las Vegas all day on Sunday. Among the players, John Lee intercepted a pass, sacked the QB, made 3 tackles, and forced a fumble.

Special Teams: Stan Talley, P, Oakland Invaders. Talley helped keep the game close with his kicking game. He punted 6 times for 297 yards, a 49.5 average and a long punt of 53 yards.

Here’s a 3-paragraph recap style article for Week 14 of your USFL replay league:

Week 14 of the USFL Replay League saw a mixed bag of results, with some teams solidifying their playoff positions while others faced crucial setbacks. The Birmingham Stallions continued their dominant run with a convincing victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits, further cementing their place atop the standings. The Boston Breakers pulled off an impressive upset against the New Jersey Generals, while the Denver Gold secured a crucial win over the Las Vegas Aces in a tightly contested matchup.

Several teams experienced contrasting fortunes. The Houston Gamblers showcased their offensive firepower with a resounding win over the Chicago Blitz, while the Arizona Wranglers held off a late charge from the Los Angeles Express to secure a valuable victory. The Philadelphia Stars edged out the Pittsburgh Maulers in a closely contested affair, while the Memphis Showboats narrowly defeated the Washington Federals. In other action, the Jacksonville Bulls outlasted the New Orleans Brass in a high-scoring encounter, and the Oakland Invaders narrowly defeated the Michigan Panthers in a thrilling matchup.

Week 14 provided plenty of excitement and drama, with several teams vying for playoff spots. The final week of the regular season promises to be even more intense as teams battle for seeding and a chance to compete for the USFL Replay League championship. The upcoming matchups will undoubtedly have significant implications for the playoff picture, and fans can expect another thrilling week of USFL action.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 14 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Houston Gamblers 45, Chicago Blitz 20

Los Angeles Express 14, Arizona Wranglers 20

Pittsburgh Maulers 24, Philadelphia Stars 27

Sunday

Tampa Bay Bandits 7, Birmingham Stallions 20

Memphis Showboats 22, Washington Federals 13

New Jersey Generals 23, Boston Breakers 30

Oakland Invaders 31, Michigan Panthers 28

Jacksonville Bulls 35, New Orleans Brass 28

Denver Gold 20, Las Vegas Ace 7

San Antonio Gunslingers 19, Oklahoma Outlaws 7

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Todd Fowler, RB, Houston Gamblers. Fowler ran all over the Chicago defense for 174 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also caught 3 passes for 36 yards. The win put the Gamblers 1 game ahead in the division with 4 to play.

Defense: David Martin, CB, Arizona Wranglers. Martin intercepted two passes, returning the first for a touchdown to open the scoring in the Arizona Wranglers win over the Express. The win kept them in first place in the Pacific division.

Special Teams: Eric Robinson, KR, Washington Federals. Robinson won the award for the fourth time in his career, returning 7 kicks for 212 yards for a 30.3 yard average.

Week 13 of the 1985 USFL season delivered drama, standout performances, and crucial victories as the playoff picture continued to take shape. Saturday’s slate set the tone with decisive wins across the board. The Jacksonville Bulls dominated the Memphis Showboats in a 27-7 affair, capitalizing on a stifling defense. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blitz cruised past the Oklahoma Outlaws, 36-13, thanks to their explosive offense and a standout day from quarterback Vince Evans. The Birmingham Stallions secured a critical road win over the New Orleans Brass, pulling away late for a 27-13 victory behind their relentless rushing attack.

Sunday’s action was nothing short of spectacular, starting with a nail-biter in Philadelphia where the Boston Breakers edged the Stars 32-28 in a game highlighted by multiple lead changes and a late-game heroics from quarterback Johnny Walton. The Michigan Panthers dismantled the San Antonio Gunslingers 32-14, reasserting their dominance behind the stellar play of Anthony Carter. The Tampa Bay Bandits pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the red-hot Houston Gamblers 27-24, with their defense stepping up to stifle Jim Kelly’s high-powered passing attack. The Arizona Wranglers eked out a 9-6 victory over the Las Vegas Ace in a defensive slugfest, while the New Jersey Generals’ Doug Flutie orchestrated a thrilling 31-28 comeback win against the Denver Gold.

The week closed with fireworks as the Oakland Invaders obliterated the Los Angeles Express 57-28, showcasing one of the season’s most dominant offensive displays. Lastly, the Washington Federals outlasted the Pittsburgh Maulers 30-27 in an overtime thriller, a testament to the league’s parity and unpredictability. With Week 14 on the horizon, teams are gearing up for the final stretch of the season, where every play could define postseason destinies.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 13 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Memphis Showboats 7, Jacksonville Bulls 27

Chicago Blitz 36, Oklahoma Outlaws 13

Birmingham Stallions 27, New Orleans Brass 13

Sunday

Boston Breakers 32, Philadelphia Stars 28

Michigan Panthers 32, San Antonio Gunslingers 14

Tampa Bay Bandits 27, Houston Gamblers 24

Las Vegas Ace 6, Arizona Wranglers 9

New Jersey Generals 31, Denver Gold 28

Oakland Invaders 57, Los Angeles Express 28

Washington Federals 30, Pittsburgh Maulers 27

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Craig Sundberg, QB, Oakland Invaders. Sundberg came up big for the Invaders in their rivalry game against Los Angeles. He threw for 385 yards on 27-37 passing with 4 touchdowns. He also added a touchdown on the ground to help rout the cross state Express.

Defense: John Nevens, LB, Denvef Gold. Nevens played well in spite of the Gold loss to the Generals. He made 15 tackles, forced a fumble, and intercepted Generals QB Doug Flutie once.

Special Teams: Greg Cater and Case DeBruijn, P, Las Vegas Ace and Arizona Wranglers. In a game with only 15 points, both punters put on a show in Arizona on Sunday afternoon. DeBruijn punted 11 times for 490 yards (a 44.5 average). Not to be outdone, Cater punted 13 times for 641 yards (49.3 average) and an astounding 83 yard long.

Week 10 in the 1985 USFL replay league kicked off with a commanding performance by the Michigan Panthers, who overwhelmed the Boston Breakers 37-20. The Panthers’ efficient offense set the tone early, while their defense held the Breakers in check. Oklahoma also impressed with a solid 34-14 victory over Pittsburgh, dominating on both sides of the ball. Las Vegas came out on top in a low-scoring battle against New Orleans, edging out a 21-14 win as both defenses showed grit.

Sunday’s action saw the Birmingham Stallions continue their strong season with a 28-16 victory over Washington, controlling the pace from start to finish. Arizona took down San Antonio 22-3, leaning on a suffocating defense that shut down the Gunslingers’ offense. In the highest-scoring game of the week, the Philadelphia Stars fell just short against Jim Kelly and the Houston Gamblers in a 43-34 shootout, with Kelly once again putting on a clinic through the air.

In other notable matchups, the New Jersey Generals squeezed out a 21-18 win over Memphis in a tightly contested game, while Chicago fended off Los Angeles for a 27-20 victory. Jacksonville cruised to a 26-7 win over Denver, capitalizing on a complete team effort. Finally, Tampa Bay fell short in a 28-25 thriller against Oakland, as the Invaders held on in the closing moments to secure a hard-fought win.

USFL Stat Leaders After Week 10 (1985)

Games

Saturday

Michigan Panthers 37, Boston Breakers 20

Oklahoma Outlaws 34, Pittsburgh Maulers 14

Las Vegas Ace 21, New Orleans Brass 14

Sunday

Birmingham Stallions 28, Washington Federals 16

Arizona Wranglers 22, San Antonio Gunslingers 3

Philadelphia Stars 34, Houston Gamblers 43

New Jersey Generals 21, Memphis Showboats 18

Los Angeles Express 20, Chicago Blitz 27

Jacksonville Bulls 26, Denver Blitz 7

Tampa Bay 25 Bandits, Oakland Invaders 28

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Sam Harrell, RB, Houston Gamblers. Harrell took most of the workload for the prolific Houston offense this week, running the ball 12 times for 84 yards (a 7.0 ypc average) and 4 touchdowns. He was instrumental in the Gamblers win over the Stars.

Defense: David Martin, CB, Arizona Wranglers. Martin was a one man wrecking crew against the Gunslingers. In addition to 4 tackles, he also forced a fumble and intercepted two passes to help the Wranglers defeat San Antonio.

Special Teams: Zenon Andrushyshyn, K/P, Tampa Bay Bandits. The Tampa kicker did it all. He made all of his kicks (1 field goal and 2 extra points) while punting the ball 5 times for 201 yards (a 40.2 average). In spite of this, the Invaders edged his team 28-25 in a close game.

In Week 9, Saturday’s action featured a tight contest between the Philadelphia Stars and San Antonio Gunslingers. The Stars held on for a narrow 28-26 victory, with Chuck Fusina leading a balanced offensive attack. San Antonio’s Rick Neuheisel mounted a late comeback, but a missed two-point conversion left them just short. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Bandits secured a 28-20 win over the Los Angeles Express, thanks to big plays from John Reaves and receiver Eric Truvil. The Denver Gold, behind a relentless rushing attack, surged past the Boston Breakers 36-20 to cap off Saturday’s games.

Sunday’s matchups saw a dominant performance from the Jacksonville Bulls, who overwhelmed the Oklahoma Outlaws 59-13. Jacksonville’s offense exploded, while the Outlaws struggled to find any rhythm. In a closer game, the New Jersey Generals edged the Michigan Panthers 32-28, with Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie delivering key plays in the Generals’ victory. The Oakland Invaders lost a heartbreaker to the Birmingham Stallions, 28-25, as the Stallions rallied late to secure the win. The Washington Federals also earned a thrilling 42-37 win over the Memphis Showboats, thanks to a clutch final drive.

Elsewhere, the Houston Gamblers continued their high-powered offensive show with a 49-24 victory over the Las Vegas Ace, led by another stellar performance from Jim Kelly. The Chicago Blitz took down the Pittsburgh Maulers 31-21, using a strong defensive effort in the second half to stifle Pittsburgh’s attack. In the final game, the Arizona Wranglers dominated the New Orleans Brass 24-3, with their defense smothering the Brass’ offense all game long.

Games

Saturday

San Antonio Gunslingers 26, Philadelphia Stars 28

Los Angeles Express 20, Tampa Bay Bandits 28

Denver Gold 36, Boston Breakers 20

Sunday

Oklahoma Outlaws 13, Jacksonville Bulls 59

Michigan Panthers 28, New Jersey Generals 32

Oakland Invaders 25, Birmingham Stallions 28

Washington Federals 42, Memphis Showboats 37

Las Vegas Ace 24, Houston Gamblers 49

Pittsburgh Maulers 21, Chicago Blitz 31

Arizona Wranglers 24, New Orleans Brass 3

Standings

Players of the Week

Offense: Joey Walters, WR, Washington Federals. In a week of great receiving lines (Dwayne Dixon 10-149, 3TD, Bill Johnson who recorded over 100 yards rushing and receiving, and Derek Holloway 5-151, 2 TD), Joey Walters trumped them both with 11 catches for a game record 257 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Federals’ crazy 42-37 win over Memphis.

Defense: Don Thorp, DE, Tampa Bay Bandits. Thorp terrorized Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon. He sacked the quarterback 3 times, forced a fumble, and recorded 7 other tackles on the day to earn defensive player of the week.

Special Teams: Greg Taylor, KR, Washington Federals. Taylor returned 3 kicks for 118 yards and a 39.3 yard average. Moreover, he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 90 yards for a touchdown and set the tone for a wild second half of football in the game.