LION CONFERENCE
Massawa Redhorns (12-2) at Cagilari Outbreak (12-2)
============APL RANKS===============
.......................CAGILARI.......MASSAWA
Passing Yards............4.......................5
Pass Defense............34....................21
Rushing Yards...........11...................23
Rush Defense.............5......................9
Points For.....................5....................14
Points Against...........10....................11
=====================================
There's an interesting dilemma at play here. Lose the game, get playoff games against San Francisco and Fullham; win the game, get playoff games against Carthaginian and The Franchise.
The Franchise are probably playing better right now than any team in Lion -- including Fullham -- and the high-scoring War Elephants are about as dangerous and unpredictable as any team in any Pro League.
On the other hand, the Demons almost took down both Massawa and the Hellfish during the season and Fulham ... well, Fulham is undefeated.
Decisions, decisions. Should both teams play it straight up, though, you can imagine it's going to be a good one.
Both teams are pass-heavy and both have trouble stopping the pass, but the Outbreak have been torched for a third-worst 315 yards/game and their 26 passing TD allowed raise some eyebrows.
In the running game, Cagilari is far superior on offense -- thanks in part to the 5th-most pancakes in APL -- and also ranked higher on defense.
Points-wise, the Redhorns are somewhat anemic on offense, but have a similar results defensively with the Outbreak.
Prediction: Cagilari 42, Massawa 39
I give the slight edge here to the Outbreak because of their stronger running game, but if the Redhorns are able to light up the Cagilari secondary, this one could easily swing the other way.
ELEPHANT CONFERENCE
Sons of Anubis (14-0) at Nairboi Warthogs (14-0)
============APL RANKS===============
..........................ANUBIS....NAIROBI
Passing Yards..........19................3
Pass Defense............2.................6
Rushing Yards...........1.................3
Rush Defense...........11...............1
Pancakes.....................1................3
Points For.....................4................3
Points Against.............2................1
=====================================
On paper, there look to be two mismatches here, passing offense and rushing defense, both of which largely favor the Warthogs.
But the Sons have the second-best pass defense, the top-ranked rushing offense and the most pancakes of any team by about 160 (and 180 more than Nairobi). They're also fourth in points scored and second in points allowed.
Aside from pancakes however, the Warhogs don't trail Anubis in any other major category by a lot, and have the best rush defense mixed with the sixth-best pass defense. They've also outscored Anubis and allowed fewer points. They've also looked untouchable for the entire season and have home-field advantage.
Prediction: Nairobi 27, Anubis 17
I think the Sons will dictate the pace of the game for the first half, and might even take a slight lead into the locker room, but the Warthogs will mix their offensive attack enough to eventually start imposing their will.
--
EDIT: For misspelling of Cagilari
Massawa Redhorns (12-2) at Cagilari Outbreak (12-2)
============APL RANKS===============
.......................CAGILARI.......MASSAWA
Passing Yards............4.......................5
Pass Defense............34....................21
Rushing Yards...........11...................23
Rush Defense.............5......................9
Points For.....................5....................14
Points Against...........10....................11
=====================================
There's an interesting dilemma at play here. Lose the game, get playoff games against San Francisco and Fullham; win the game, get playoff games against Carthaginian and The Franchise.
The Franchise are probably playing better right now than any team in Lion -- including Fullham -- and the high-scoring War Elephants are about as dangerous and unpredictable as any team in any Pro League.
On the other hand, the Demons almost took down both Massawa and the Hellfish during the season and Fulham ... well, Fulham is undefeated.
Decisions, decisions. Should both teams play it straight up, though, you can imagine it's going to be a good one.
Both teams are pass-heavy and both have trouble stopping the pass, but the Outbreak have been torched for a third-worst 315 yards/game and their 26 passing TD allowed raise some eyebrows.
In the running game, Cagilari is far superior on offense -- thanks in part to the 5th-most pancakes in APL -- and also ranked higher on defense.
Points-wise, the Redhorns are somewhat anemic on offense, but have a similar results defensively with the Outbreak.
Prediction: Cagilari 42, Massawa 39
I give the slight edge here to the Outbreak because of their stronger running game, but if the Redhorns are able to light up the Cagilari secondary, this one could easily swing the other way.
ELEPHANT CONFERENCE
Sons of Anubis (14-0) at Nairboi Warthogs (14-0)
============APL RANKS===============
..........................ANUBIS....NAIROBI
Passing Yards..........19................3
Pass Defense............2.................6
Rushing Yards...........1.................3
Rush Defense...........11...............1
Pancakes.....................1................3
Points For.....................4................3
Points Against.............2................1
=====================================
On paper, there look to be two mismatches here, passing offense and rushing defense, both of which largely favor the Warthogs.
But the Sons have the second-best pass defense, the top-ranked rushing offense and the most pancakes of any team by about 160 (and 180 more than Nairobi). They're also fourth in points scored and second in points allowed.
Aside from pancakes however, the Warhogs don't trail Anubis in any other major category by a lot, and have the best rush defense mixed with the sixth-best pass defense. They've also outscored Anubis and allowed fewer points. They've also looked untouchable for the entire season and have home-field advantage.
Prediction: Nairobi 27, Anubis 17
I think the Sons will dictate the pace of the game for the first half, and might even take a slight lead into the locker room, but the Warthogs will mix their offensive attack enough to eventually start imposing their will.
--
EDIT: For misspelling of Cagilari
Edited by haole on Aug 25, 2010 23:37:18
Edited by haole on Aug 25, 2010 22:13:13
