[2] August 22, 1984, the owners voted to move to a fall schedule starting in 1986.

Harry Usher became the new commissioner of the USFL in January 1985.

The USFL and the United States Football League Players Association (USFLPA) agreed on a four-year agreement in March 1985.

[3] On April 29, 1985, the league's owners voted 13–2 to reaffirm their decision to begin playing a fall season in 1986.

[4] W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against y  = Division Champion,  x  = Wild Card New Jersey finished ahead of Memphis based on a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage (2-0-0).