The Leading Logic In Sports Handicapping |
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Traderpro
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Mar 2009
Posts: 4375
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Mike where do you find lines for these? It seems every time I look the lines arent out at most of the sportsbooks until late.
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07-12-14 11:48 PM |
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wildcat76
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Dec 2005
Posts: 6149
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ORLANDO – The South Division champion Orlando Predators (10-7) will square off with the West Division champion Arizona Rattlers (15-2) in a battle of playoff-bound teams this weekend. The “NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday” matchup is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams since July 2013, when the Rattlers defeated the Predators, 84-56, in “The Jungle”. It will also be Arizona’s first time back in Orlando since defeating the Philadelphia Soul at ArenaBowl XXVI last August. The Predators will be looking for their first win against the Rattlers since 2006.
Arizona wrapped up the No. 1 seed and home field advantage in the National Conference in Week 15, while Orlando comes into Week 20 fresh off clinching the No. 2 seed in the American Conference last week. Both teams will host playoff games next Sunday in the AFL Quarterfinals, with Arizona returning home to face the Portland Thunder and Orlando welcoming in the Pittsburgh Power.
The Rattlers come into the game boasting one of the most dynamic offenses in AFL history, led by AFL MVP candidate Nick Davila. The “Latin Laser” has tossed a franchise-record 121 touchdown passes this season, the second-highest single-season total in AFL history. He also moved into 10th place all-time for career passing yards in last week’s 65-55 win over the Portland Thunder, bringing his five-year yardage total to 24,585. Those stats have been helped along by a star-studded cast of characters in the Arizona receiving corps. Rod Windsor is four touchdown receptions shy of his own single-season franchise record of 47, while Maurice Purify and Tysson Poots continue to force AFL defenses into costly mismatches.
Bernard Morris figures to get the start at quarterback for the Predators. Morris, who was added to the lineup after opening day starter Jason Boltus went down with an injury midway through the year, has been electric for the Predators this season, most recently accounting for nine total touchdowns in the team’s 70-64 overtime victory against the New Orleans VooDoo last week. The AFL’s best dual-threat signal-caller passed for six scores and rushed for three more in the game. He also eclipsed 10,000 passing yards for his career a week ago. Orlando will need another big performance from Morris this week against an experienced and opportunistic Rattlers defense. NET10 Wireless Rookie of the Year candidate Greg Carr should help the cause, as the former Florida State Seminole star leads all rookies in receiving with 111 catches for 1,413 yards and 36 touchdowns this season. Fellow first-year wideouts Kendal Thompkins and Khalil Paden have also shown big-time playmaking ability, while midseason acquisition Larry Brackins has provided some much needed veteran leadership. The sixth-year pro has also shown he still has plenty left in the tank, leading the team with three touchdown grabs last week.
Orlando will have their hands full defensively against the high-powered Arizona attack. Pass rushers Michael Janac and Earl Okine will have their work cut out for them, as sacks have been hard to come by all season against the very reliable Rattlers offensive line. If Orlando cannot find a way to put pressure on Davila, the Predators secondary could be in for a long day. However, that unit has no shortage of talent. Jack linebacker Tanner Varner forced two fumbles a week ago and is one interception shy of 25 for his career, while veterans Eddie Moten and Tracy Belton will be anxiously waiting for opportunities to contend for a few more picks of their own.
For the Rattlers, opposing teams have struggled to find weak spots in the defense all season. The franchise’s all-time leader in sacks, Anttaj Hawthorne, mans the middle, while former Defensive Lineman of the Year, Cliff Dukes, and perennially underrated Mac linebacker Tyre Glasper lead the pass rush. Three former All-Arena selections headline the secondary, with Jack linebacker Jeremy Kellem and defensive backs Arkeith Brown and Marquis Floyd – the League’s leader in interceptions with 13 – all turning in outstanding seasons. Rookie Allen Chapman has also come on strong as of late, returning an interception 40 yards for a touchdown last week.
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07-27-14 01:25 AM |
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