WEEK 9 SFL NEWSLETTER
- Cameron Irvine
- Aug 22, 2014
- 5 min read
Feature of the Week
The great rivalries: Adding to the list
This league has been blessed to have two named rivalries right from the get-go. The Walsh Bowl and the Southwest Shootout have produced exciting and compelling match ups since 2010 and 2013, respectively. Coming into this week, however, two rivalries need to be added to the official list of great hype and both of those matchups occur this week. Oh, what a treat!
Baltimore Vs. New York
The first time these teams played - the first game in Crabs history - the game was an instant classic, an instant classic that has left a bad taste in New York's mouth since Week 1. Sure, these teams have only played once but there's no question that two of the league's brightest owners are on display and the proximity of the two squads adds more fuel to the fire. The two are just separated by roughly 6 hours, which makes only Dallas and Oklahoma City's proximity closer.
They both have a ball control style of offense. Where Baltimore hits with power, New York plays with finesse. Park HeeChul makes his living outside the tackles, Elliott Snider makes his in-between. Now, the two square off for bragging rights but more importantly, square off in a potential championship or semifinal game preview as the class of the league takes the field.
Oklahoma City Vs. San Francisco
These owners don't have much connection. Michael Irvine takes it easy in Oklahoma on a piece of property tucked off the highway with more animals than you could ever imagine - inside and outside. San Francisco's owner is actually an East coast guy, tucked away in the busy confines of Brooklyn.
Irvine's turned Oklahoma City into a consistent winner but the only time his team went to San Francisco, it was an experience that can only compare to a goose in your ear at 5 a.m. Oklahoma City tanked, lost 10-3, the only game in league history that didn't have an offensive touchdown. It was Oklahoma City's defense that set a record - allowing only 175 yards of offense - in a loss! Wes St. Clair threw 5 interceptions and Bruschi was held to 50 yards on 23 carries.
San Francisco has always bugged the crap out of Bruschi. In three games against the Bulldogs, Bruschi has never scored a touchdown rushing for 205 yards on 76 carries. San Francisco needs a win to stay alive. They couldn't have asked for a better opponent. The Renegades take offense to that - we're sure. Add this rivalry to the list, too.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PUZZLING SEASONS: Wyverns try to seperate themselves from hapless Stars
Saturday August 23 — Dallas (0-6) @ Kailua (2-4), noon CT
All-time series: Series tied 1-1
Matchup tracker: Johnny English vs. Sebastian Brock/Justin Saunders. English's carries have increased from 11 to 19 to 22 to 25 since new offensive coordinator Jermaine Smith stepped in. English is still the only running back that hasn't had a 30-carry game this year and he'll go up against the best linebacker duo in the league. Brock and Saunders have combined for 99 solo and 54 assisted tackles. They're both top three in tackles and No. 1 and 2 in assisted tackles.
KAILUA — Once again, it would appear the Championship Game curse is haunting Kailua. New York had the game last season and the team went from winning a championship to missing the playoffs. The Wyverns were a playoff team last year but need a comeback this season. They must win out and hope Oklahoma City and Grand Rapids don't get to the magic number 5. The Wyverns would hold tiebreakers over both teams if they all finished 4-4.
Despite the offensive struggles we saw Kailua have last week, both teams should score some points against the 7th and 8th worst defenses this summer. The last time these two teams played was all the way back in Week 1 of last season, when Kailua won 42-24.
Dallas has the best passing offense in the league - hard to believe out of an 0-6 club - 312 yards per game, which doesn't bode well for Kailua's 7th ranked pass defense. The two teams have the two most unbalanced offenses in the league, passing nearly twice as much as running. There could either be a lot of fireworks or a lot of incompletions/interceptions in this one - Matsumoto and Ranklins have combined to throw 33 picks this season.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
GAGING THE DEFENSE: Renegades return to scene of the crime - San Francisco
Sunday August 24 — Oklahoma City (3-2) @ San Francisco (2-4), 3 pm CT
All-time series: Oklahoma City leads 2-1
Matchup tracker: Joseph Redfeather vs. Billy Joe Casper. Redfeather is prone to making mistakes and Billy Joe Casper is No. 1 all-time in SFL interceptions (15). But, the Renegades pass defense actually ranks last in the league this year and could be something for Redfeather to exploit.
SAN FRANCISCO - The Bulldogs defense put on an absolute clinic last week against Kailua and ever since Randall Watts was picked up, quarterbacks have been running for their lives - 13 sacks in the last 2 games. Hart has been sacked 20 times this year - third most in the league and No. 1 sacks per attempt (1 sack every 7.95 pass attempts!). If Oklahoma City can't protect the quarterback, they won't win.
As mentioned earlier, this matchup hasn't been a good one in the past for Pete Bruschi but in the end it might not matter. Forcing turnovers has always been OKC's calling card. They've scored 52 points off of their turnovers forced this year - best in the league.
San Francisco must win to stay alive and Oklahoma City has a chance to force a three-way tie for second heading into the Baltimore/New York matchup at 6 p.m. CT. The Renegades are fired up - offering a tailgate party outside of Transcorp Stadium, where fans can watch the game on 2 jumbotrons being set up. OKC is 2-0 on the road this year and has won their last three on the road dating back to last season, not including the neutral site Championship.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
OUT FOR REVENGE: Knights finally get their second chance with the Crabs
Sunday August 24 — Baltimore (5-0) @ New York (4-2), 6 pm CT
All-time series: Baltimore leads 1-0
Matchup tracker: Elliott Snider vs. Knights defense. San Francisco proved that if team's can figure out how to shut down Snider - and commit to it - the Crabs offensive machine can be stopped. In their first meeting, Snider ran all over the Knights and New York can't afford to have that happen again.
BUFFALO —A long time coming, Baltimore really has a shot to flex their muscles as they play their first opponent with a winning record since Week 3. They have not faced a team with a winning record on the road yet this season.
The two offenses of these clubs are prolific. Here's some of the numbers: 1/2 in points scored, yards gained, third down conversion percentage and 2/3 in time of possession. These two top teams also sport the league's 2 best quarterback ratings and two of the top three running backs. It's a matchup no one will want to miss.
The game will be won between the 20's. New York is prolific once they get into the red zone and they turn the ball over less than any team in the league and have not turned the ball over in 2 home games at the new, rockin' Metro Stadium, currently the loudest and most frightening place for opponents to play. Another key will be how Baltimore comes out in the first half. In two home games, New York has outscored their opponents in the first half 80-20. The Crabs routinely get off to slow starts and one in this game could prove to be deadly.
Comments