The start of the NFL preseason is less than four months away. The XFL is wrapping up a successful reboot, featuring NFL-caliber talent on (quite possibly) every team. And now, the relaunched USFL is returning for a second consecutive season. What are the current standings, and what do we need to know about the league’s playoff tiebreaker process?
2023 USFL Standings
The eight USFL teams are split into two divisions, essentially divided North-South geographically. Since last year, one franchise has moved to a new city, as the Tampa Bay Bandits have become the Memphis Showboats. This shift made it easy for the league to keep the other seven teams in their previous division because Memphis is simply replacing Tampa Bay in the South.
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Like last year, each team will play 10 regular-season games. Also like last year, those games will include six contests against their division opponents and four games against teams in the opposing division. At the end of the regular season, two teams from each division will earn spots in the USFL playoffs.
USFL North Standings
1) New Jersey Generals (2-2)
2) Michigan Panthers (2-2)
3) Pittsburgh Maulers (1-2)
4) Philadelphia Stars (1-3)
*Clinched playoff berth
(e)Mathematically eliminated from postseason contention
USFL South Standings
1) New Orleans Breakers (4-0)
2) Birmingham Stallions (2-1)
3) Houston Gamblers (2-2)
4) Memphis Showboats (1-3)
*Clinched playoff berth
(e)Mathematically eliminated from postseason contention
USFL Standings Tiebreakers, Playoffs, and More
If two or more teams in the same division have the same record at the end of the regular season, then the USFL will apply the following tiebreaking procedures. As the season progresses, we’ll have a better sense of the impact of late-season matchups with respect to playoff positioning, including tiebreaker advantages.
2 Teams
1. Head-to-head
2. Best win/loss percentage in division games
3. Strength of victory in all games (aggregate win/loss percentage of teams defeated)
4. Best net points in all games (points scored minus points yielded)
5. Best net touchdowns in all games (touchdowns scored minus touchdowns yielded)
6. Coin toss
3 or More Teams
Interestingly, the USFL has adopted the same tiebreaker rules if three or more teams in the same division finish with the same record.
1. Head-to-head
2. Best win/loss percentage in division games
3. Strength of victory in all games (aggregate win/loss percentage of teams defeated)
4. Best net points in all games (points scored minus points yielded)
5. Best net touchdowns in all games (touchdowns scored minus touchdowns yielded)
6. Coin toss
