USFL Week 10: New Orleans Breakers-Houston Gamblers top plays

Week 10 of the inaugural USFL season comes to a close Sunday with a matchup between the New Orleans Breakers (6-3) and the Houston Gamblers (2-7) on FS1 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Breakers, the No. 2 seed in the South, have already punched their ticket to next weekend’s playoffs, while the Gamblers are looking to secure the final win of the regular season.

Earlier Sunday, the Michigan Panthers took down the Pittsburgh Maulers, 33-21, in a hard-fought battle, locking down the first pick in every round of next year’s USFL Draft with the win.

Here are the top plays.

New Orleans Breakers vs. Houston Gamblers

Tough start

Breakers QB Zach Smith was picked off on New Orleans’ first drive of the game by Gamblers linebacker Donald Payne, who took it 12 yards to the house with ease. Just like that, Houston was up 7-0 early.

Donald Payne picks off Zach Smith for a Gamblers TD

Gamblers’ Donald Payne picked off New Orleans Breakers QB Zach Smith and took it to the house, as Houston takes an early lead.

Double trouble

On the Breakers’ following drive, Smith was picked off once again, this time near midfield on third down.

Easy come, easy go

Shea Patterson — the No. 1 overall pick in the inaugural USFL Draft who was released by the Panthers back in May — closed out the first quarter for New Orleans going three-and-out on his first drive with his new team.

Taking over

The Gamblers’ defense continued to pour it on as the first half continued, shutting the Breakers out with ease. New Orleans’ offense was clicking as well, adding three points on a quick field goal midway through the second quarter, good for a 10-0 lead.

Big play!

Breakers linebacker Vontae Diggs came up with a massive third-down stop for New Orleans late in the frame, keeping the Gamblers out of the end zone and holding them to another field goal ahead of the break.

They’ll take that

Gamblers cornerback Will Likely muffed the catch, and the ball was scooped up by Breakers TE Sal Cannella.

Blocked!

Gamblers defensive end Chris Odom came up with his fourth blocked field goal of the season, as the Breakers attempted to get on the board. Then, DB Jeremiah Johnson took it 77 yards the other way for a touchdown. Just like that, Houston took a 20-0 advantage early in the third quarter.

Shutout avoided

The Breakers finally got on the board with a monster 50-yard field goal late in the third quarter.

Stay tuned for more updates.