I want you to do something for me. Close your eyes. Now take a deep breath in through your nose. Do you smell that? The smell of sweaty people hitting each other? Now listen. Do you hear that? The sound of thousands of fans screaming and cheering for the favorite players?
That's right people. Football season is back and in full swing.
The first week of the DSFL brought us some exciting games and introduced us to a brand new class of rookies. Week 2, however, is where we hope to see some of those opening day jitters for these youngsters start to dissipate.
Here are my predictions for Week 2 of the DSFL.
Game of the Week
Myrtle Beach Buccaneers (1-0) at Tijuana Luchadores (1-0)
The lone contest this week against 1-0 teams, the game between Myrtle Beach and Tijuana is shaping up to be the best game of the week. Both teams are coming off of dominant wins in the season openers, with the Bucs dismantling the Kansas City Coyotes 27-17, a game in which they dominated end to end, opening up a 27-10 lead during the beginning of the fourth quarter. Tijuana looked equally as good in their opener against the Dallas Birddogs, stymieing Dallas's offense and holding them to 13 points, while racking up six sacks.
This game will be a conflict of differing styles. Myrtle Beach boasts a high-powered offense led by the QB pair of Jackie Daytona and Owen Holloway, who combined for 15/22, for 159 yards and three touchdowns in their win over KC. Myrtle Beach was also able to push around the Coyotes front seven en route to a 227 yard performance as a team, with 3' Jeffrey leading the way with 125 yards and a score.
Tijuana got their win last week by clamping down on third down and getting to Dallas' QB for six sacks, and holding the Birddogs to 4/15 on third downs. On offense, Tijuana employed a run-first offense in the hopes of wearing down Dallas' front seven and draining the clock. Led by defending DSFL Rushing Champion Crowbar Theeks, the Luchadores were able to accumulate 192 yards on the ground at a pace of 5.5 yards per carry.
In this game there are two factors that I believe will determine the outcome.
1) Myrtle Beach's offensive line versus Tijuana's front seven
As discussed at length, Tijuana sports the top pass-rushing unit in the DSFL. The Buccaneers were able to keep their QB's clean against KC, but; the Coyotes defense doesn't have the same firepower that Tijuana does.
2) Tijuana's backfield against Myrtle Beach's front seven
In their win over KC, the Bucs were able to hold the Coyotes to a paltry 74 yards on the ground. Numbers don't tell the whole story here, however, as KC was playing from behind for almost the entire game and weren't in the position to run the ball. When they did, however, they showed success, gaining an average of 5.3 yards per carry. If the Luchadores OL can make holes for RB's Theeks and newcomer Bronko Mills, they should be able to find success on the ground.
Picking the game:
These two teams match up very well against each other, and it promises to be a whale of a game. I really think that Tijuana gets the slightest of nods here, and I project their pass rush to be in Myrtle Beach's backfield much of the game.
Prediction: Tijuana wins 20-16
Kansas City Coyotes (0-1) at Dallas Birddogs (0-1)
Which of these teams gets their first win of the season? Kansas City started their season off with a fairly one-sided loss to Myrtle Beach, while Dallas gave Tijuana a decent fight on the road. When looking at this game, I think what KC needs to do in order to win is not rely so much on throwing the ball. Yes, QB Reginald Covington III had some success against the Bucs in week 1, throwing for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown, but when comparing these two rosters, I think the Coyotes' offensive line might be able to push the Birddogs defensive front around a little bit. If Kansas City wants to have a chance in this game, I think you'll need to see RB Sergio Kitchens get the ball early and often.
For Dallas, the key to the game is a simple one - protect the quarterback. After giving up a league-most six sacks against the Luchadores in the week 1, Dallas will have to do a better job keeping QB Mattahias Caliban off the ground. If they can give him time, I can see Caliban having success against this KC secondary, which will allow their workhorse, RB Zoe Watts, to do what she does best. Their O-Line will have their work cut out for them however, as KC's defense is full of strong pass rushers like DT LeBong Simwell, and LBs Thomas Rose and Gary Goodman.
Looking at this game, I think I have to go with KC in an upset on the road.
Final Prediction: Kansas City wins 21-17
Minnesota Grey Ducks (0-1) at Norfolk SeaWolves (1-0)
In what many are predicting to be a one-sided affair, we have the 0-1 Grey Ducks are heading to Norfolk to take on the 1-0 SeaWolves. Norfolk looked like one hell of a team in their opener against Portland, in which they cruised to victory 31-17. The SeaWolves dominated in all aspects of the game, out-gaining the Pythons by 220 yards on offense. Norfolk did most of their damage on the ground, with RB's Captain Rogers and Quanter Skrills both rushing for over 120 yards in the contest. After seeing the way that London beat up on Minnesota in Week 1, it's hard not to imagine that Norfolk does the same.
Final Prediction: Norfolk wins 35-10
Portland Pythons (0-1) at London Royals (1-0)
After seeing how handily Norfolk whooped up on Portland in Week 1, I see no reason to assume that Week 2 will go any different for the Pythons' squad in London. Portland allowed Norfolk QB Suleiman Ramza to throw for a hyper-efficient 17 of 26, ending the week with a QB Rating over 110. Unfortunately for Portland, they're facing an even more formidable passing attack in London. I project Royals QB Charlemagne Cortez to have an even better performance than he had in the opener.
Final Prediction: London wins 28-3
That's right people. Football season is back and in full swing.
The first week of the DSFL brought us some exciting games and introduced us to a brand new class of rookies. Week 2, however, is where we hope to see some of those opening day jitters for these youngsters start to dissipate.
Here are my predictions for Week 2 of the DSFL.
Game of the Week
Myrtle Beach Buccaneers (1-0) at Tijuana Luchadores (1-0)
The lone contest this week against 1-0 teams, the game between Myrtle Beach and Tijuana is shaping up to be the best game of the week. Both teams are coming off of dominant wins in the season openers, with the Bucs dismantling the Kansas City Coyotes 27-17, a game in which they dominated end to end, opening up a 27-10 lead during the beginning of the fourth quarter. Tijuana looked equally as good in their opener against the Dallas Birddogs, stymieing Dallas's offense and holding them to 13 points, while racking up six sacks.
This game will be a conflict of differing styles. Myrtle Beach boasts a high-powered offense led by the QB pair of Jackie Daytona and Owen Holloway, who combined for 15/22, for 159 yards and three touchdowns in their win over KC. Myrtle Beach was also able to push around the Coyotes front seven en route to a 227 yard performance as a team, with 3' Jeffrey leading the way with 125 yards and a score.
Tijuana got their win last week by clamping down on third down and getting to Dallas' QB for six sacks, and holding the Birddogs to 4/15 on third downs. On offense, Tijuana employed a run-first offense in the hopes of wearing down Dallas' front seven and draining the clock. Led by defending DSFL Rushing Champion Crowbar Theeks, the Luchadores were able to accumulate 192 yards on the ground at a pace of 5.5 yards per carry.
In this game there are two factors that I believe will determine the outcome.
1) Myrtle Beach's offensive line versus Tijuana's front seven
As discussed at length, Tijuana sports the top pass-rushing unit in the DSFL. The Buccaneers were able to keep their QB's clean against KC, but; the Coyotes defense doesn't have the same firepower that Tijuana does.
2) Tijuana's backfield against Myrtle Beach's front seven
In their win over KC, the Bucs were able to hold the Coyotes to a paltry 74 yards on the ground. Numbers don't tell the whole story here, however, as KC was playing from behind for almost the entire game and weren't in the position to run the ball. When they did, however, they showed success, gaining an average of 5.3 yards per carry. If the Luchadores OL can make holes for RB's Theeks and newcomer Bronko Mills, they should be able to find success on the ground.
Picking the game:
These two teams match up very well against each other, and it promises to be a whale of a game. I really think that Tijuana gets the slightest of nods here, and I project their pass rush to be in Myrtle Beach's backfield much of the game.
Prediction: Tijuana wins 20-16
Kansas City Coyotes (0-1) at Dallas Birddogs (0-1)
Which of these teams gets their first win of the season? Kansas City started their season off with a fairly one-sided loss to Myrtle Beach, while Dallas gave Tijuana a decent fight on the road. When looking at this game, I think what KC needs to do in order to win is not rely so much on throwing the ball. Yes, QB Reginald Covington III had some success against the Bucs in week 1, throwing for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown, but when comparing these two rosters, I think the Coyotes' offensive line might be able to push the Birddogs defensive front around a little bit. If Kansas City wants to have a chance in this game, I think you'll need to see RB Sergio Kitchens get the ball early and often.
For Dallas, the key to the game is a simple one - protect the quarterback. After giving up a league-most six sacks against the Luchadores in the week 1, Dallas will have to do a better job keeping QB Mattahias Caliban off the ground. If they can give him time, I can see Caliban having success against this KC secondary, which will allow their workhorse, RB Zoe Watts, to do what she does best. Their O-Line will have their work cut out for them however, as KC's defense is full of strong pass rushers like DT LeBong Simwell, and LBs Thomas Rose and Gary Goodman.
Looking at this game, I think I have to go with KC in an upset on the road.
Final Prediction: Kansas City wins 21-17
Minnesota Grey Ducks (0-1) at Norfolk SeaWolves (1-0)
In what many are predicting to be a one-sided affair, we have the 0-1 Grey Ducks are heading to Norfolk to take on the 1-0 SeaWolves. Norfolk looked like one hell of a team in their opener against Portland, in which they cruised to victory 31-17. The SeaWolves dominated in all aspects of the game, out-gaining the Pythons by 220 yards on offense. Norfolk did most of their damage on the ground, with RB's Captain Rogers and Quanter Skrills both rushing for over 120 yards in the contest. After seeing the way that London beat up on Minnesota in Week 1, it's hard not to imagine that Norfolk does the same.
Final Prediction: Norfolk wins 35-10
Portland Pythons (0-1) at London Royals (1-0)
After seeing how handily Norfolk whooped up on Portland in Week 1, I see no reason to assume that Week 2 will go any different for the Pythons' squad in London. Portland allowed Norfolk QB Suleiman Ramza to throw for a hyper-efficient 17 of 26, ending the week with a QB Rating over 110. Unfortunately for Portland, they're facing an even more formidable passing attack in London. I project Royals QB Charlemagne Cortez to have an even better performance than he had in the opener.
Final Prediction: London wins 28-3