SAN JOSE, CA – The Soul look to bounce back from last week as they face the San Jose SaberCats on Sunday night.The SaberCats, 1-0, are coming off of their impressive 30 pt win against the Portland Thunder on Monday night. The final score was 64-34.
It will be a tough match but if the Soul expect to get their first win of the season, they should look to consider these three keys:
It will be a tough match but if the Soul expect to get their first win of the season, they should look to consider these three keys:
SAN JOSE, CA – The Soul look to bounce back from last week as they face the San Jose SaberCats on Sunday night.The SaberCats, 1-0, are coming off of their impressive 30 pt win against the Portland Thunder on Monday night. The final score was 64-34.
It will be a tough match but if the Soul expect to get their first win of the season, they should look to consider these three keys:
1. Avoid a tug of war match: Last week against the Arizona Rattlers, it was a back and forth scoring game that ultimately led into an OT loss. The defense needs to do a better job of containing the opposite team from scoring by coming up with turnovers and the offense should capitalize if the SaberCats fail to score on offense.
2. Give it to Ross: The Soul should look to consider giving the ball to FB Derrick Ross more. Ross scored 42 points out of the Soul’s 55 points last week (Tied AFL record for most TDs at six). Ross is just one of those running backs that can power right through the defense and is an overall leader for this offense. One of the leading factors to the SaberCats winning on Monday night was the ability to keep Portland from scoring consecutively. If the Soul utilizes Derrick Ross more, it could provide pressure on San Jose’s defense to adjust.
3. Pass defense needs to step up: Even though the Soul lost by a touchdown against Arizona, the pass defense from Philly were lacking coverage. The Soul gave up 338 passing yards, along with 7 touchdowns. San Jose threw for 8 touchdowns on Monday, so it’s clear that this team is effective when they’re throwing the ball. Aside from passing, the SaberCats ran the ball three times, for 21 yards and one touchdown combined (FBs, JJ Payne and Reggie Gray). If the Soul’s pass defense are able to shut things down on their side and force San Jose to run the ball, they should be in good shape to win this game.
All in all, I think this is going to be one competitive, high scoring game. But I think the Soul will come out of California with a win tonight.
My prediction: Soul – 64 * SaberCats – 42
Anthony Carter
Twitter.com/acarterAFL
It will be a tough match but if the Soul expect to get their first win of the season, they should look to consider these three keys:
1. Avoid a tug of war match: Last week against the Arizona Rattlers, it was a back and forth scoring game that ultimately led into an OT loss. The defense needs to do a better job of containing the opposite team from scoring by coming up with turnovers and the offense should capitalize if the SaberCats fail to score on offense.
2. Give it to Ross: The Soul should look to consider giving the ball to FB Derrick Ross more. Ross scored 42 points out of the Soul’s 55 points last week (Tied AFL record for most TDs at six). Ross is just one of those running backs that can power right through the defense and is an overall leader for this offense. One of the leading factors to the SaberCats winning on Monday night was the ability to keep Portland from scoring consecutively. If the Soul utilizes Derrick Ross more, it could provide pressure on San Jose’s defense to adjust.
3. Pass defense needs to step up: Even though the Soul lost by a touchdown against Arizona, the pass defense from Philly were lacking coverage. The Soul gave up 338 passing yards, along with 7 touchdowns. San Jose threw for 8 touchdowns on Monday, so it’s clear that this team is effective when they’re throwing the ball. Aside from passing, the SaberCats ran the ball three times, for 21 yards and one touchdown combined (FBs, JJ Payne and Reggie Gray). If the Soul’s pass defense are able to shut things down on their side and force San Jose to run the ball, they should be in good shape to win this game.
All in all, I think this is going to be one competitive, high scoring game. But I think the Soul will come out of California with a win tonight.
My prediction: Soul – 64 * SaberCats – 42
Anthony Carter
Twitter.com/acarterAFL