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| SS Herbert Lynn, Philadelphia Bell (48) |
When a new game version is introduced, crazy things happen. So, when a team that is expected to win does not, is it really an upset?
Six of last year's 12 playoff teams, including the defending World Bowl champion New Jersey Generals, fell during the first week of the 1982 season.
The Philadelphia Bell limited New Jersey to 145 yards passing in its 14-10 win. Generals QB Doug Fluty finished the day with a 63.02 QBR. New Jersey effectively ran out the clock on itself with an 11-play drive that began with 5:11 to go and ended with 58 seconds to play — and those 11 plays only got the Generals from their 18 to their 35.
Philadelphia QB Roy Rhyne (75.86 QBR) fared a little bit better than Fluty, throwing TD passes of 59 yards to WR Jim Nicholls and 4 yards to WR Chris Nease. SS Herbert Lynn, CB Victor Benedict, and WLB Michael Abrosino all recorded eight tackles for the Bell.
In other Week 1 games:
- Detroit, which lost to New Jersey in World Bowl VIII, also started off its season in forgettable fashion. The Wheels missed a field goal, punted eight times, turned the ball over on downs twice, once on an incomplete fourth-down pass from the 2-yard line, during a 6-2 loss to the Georgia Force. FS Harold Lindsay and WLB Chris Elmore combined for 21 tackles for Georgia.
- Charlotte WR Robert Anderson accumulated 173 yards on two receptions, TDs of 98 and 75 yards, as the Hornets surprised the Shreveport Steamer, 17-15. Anderson's 98-yard reception from QB Stanley Snyder was not the longest in USFL/WFL history. In fact, there have been three 100-yard receptions and four 99-yard catches.
- Baltimore only lost twice last season, but the Stars already have one loss this season after being held to 187 total yards in a 17-3 defeat at New Orleans. Rookie RB Socrates Rogers wisely followed his blockers on a 6-yard TD run for the VooDoo.
- New York CB Rodney Preston made nine tackles and had two of his team's six interceptions as the Stars edged Tampa Bay, 15-10. New York won despite being outgained, 445-184. Bandits rookie SS Clifford Swank made 12 tackles in his pro debut.
- Bradley Martinez and Ralph Johnson both returned interceptions for TDs as the Pittsburgh Maulers shut out the San Jose SaberCats, 26-0. Pittsburgh RB John Murray ran for 140 yards and caught three passes for 45 more.
- The new code didn't seem to bother Honolulu QB David McBroom too much. He completed 34 of 52 passes for 345 yards and four TDs, three to WR Mark Moody, in a 31-17 triumph over the Southern California Sun.
- Denver WR/RB Corey True ran for 84 yards and caught an 83-yard TD pass as the Gold pulled away from the Portland Storm, 28-9.
- The San Antonio Gunslingers knocked off defending Southwest Division champion Oklahoma Outlaws, 13-11. 10th-year LB Jonathan Neal recorded 10 tackles for the Gunslingers and 11th-year kicker Jose Fouche booted a 52-yard field goal with 5:29 remaining to put his team ahead for good.
