Alpha Conference Playoffs Week 2: Sarajevo vs. Minsk
Breakdown:
Its another clash of the top two Running Backs in Europe, Cary Stayner and Big Dawg. Both had over 2000 yards rushing, 600 more than the next highest rushing total in the league. Furthermore, both teams are top 10 in rushing defense, with Sarajevo holding opposing teams to only 17.2 rushing yards per game. It's strength against strength on both sides of the ball. Who will win? This is clearly a game worth watching.
Match-Ups:
Quarterback: Keith Martin vs. Kyler Outlaw - This is a close one. Minsk QB Keith Martin has been relied on by Minsk to carry the passing load, while Sarajevo has used a platoon between QB Kyler Outlaw and QB Wilson Collier. Edge goes to Minsk
Halfback: Big Dawg vs. Cary Stayner - Close again, but Cary slightly beats out Big Dawg. Big Dawg struggled in his first playoff game with only 67 yards. Will he rebound in Rnd. 2? Edge goes to Sarajevo
Wide Receivers: Another close contest. Sarajevo is lead in receiving by WR Will Boose, WR Brad Austin, and TE Adam Justin, while Minsk leans heavily on WR Ian Cautit who has 64 receptions and 623 yards. WR Ian Cautit is a great receiver, but Sarajevo simply has more depth in 5 solid wide-outs and 2 good TEs. Edge goes to Sarajevo
Offensive Line: Minsk Left Tackle Octavious Trigger may be the most dominant Tackle in the league. He has 356 pancakes in the regular season, nearly 200 more than the next highest on his team. Edge goes to Minsk
Defensive Line: The defensive line's job is to stop the run and create pressure on the opposing QB, and both teams' defensive lines have done great jobs at both. Minsk has great linemen in DE Zevon Caprice and DT Ugoh Onyurbach with 11 sacks between them. However, Sarajevo DE Deebo and DT Marv have 30 sacks, 27 hurries, and 10 forced fumbles between them.Edge goes to Sarajevo
Linebackers: Minsk has two bigtime linebackers in King Rex and tony jaa, with over 70 tackles each. King Rex especially has done an amazing job in pass defense, recording 29 pass deflections and an interception. Edge goes to Minsk
Secondary: This is a close one. Sarajevo has several excellent cornerbacks in Gary Coleman and B.J. Penn, both with 36 pass deflections and multiple interceptions. However, Minsk has a true shut-down cornerback in Ricardo "Speedy" Gonzales, who has 83 tackles and 55 pass deflections with 5 interceptions. An amazing year for a true pro-bowler. Edge goes to Minsk
Special teams: Tough one to call. Both teams have superb special teams, with a slight edge to Minsk for kicking and a slight edge to Sarajevo for punting. I have to call this one a tie.
Breakdown:
Its another clash of the top two Running Backs in Europe, Cary Stayner and Big Dawg. Both had over 2000 yards rushing, 600 more than the next highest rushing total in the league. Furthermore, both teams are top 10 in rushing defense, with Sarajevo holding opposing teams to only 17.2 rushing yards per game. It's strength against strength on both sides of the ball. Who will win? This is clearly a game worth watching.
Match-Ups:
Quarterback: Keith Martin vs. Kyler Outlaw - This is a close one. Minsk QB Keith Martin has been relied on by Minsk to carry the passing load, while Sarajevo has used a platoon between QB Kyler Outlaw and QB Wilson Collier. Edge goes to Minsk
Halfback: Big Dawg vs. Cary Stayner - Close again, but Cary slightly beats out Big Dawg. Big Dawg struggled in his first playoff game with only 67 yards. Will he rebound in Rnd. 2? Edge goes to Sarajevo
Wide Receivers: Another close contest. Sarajevo is lead in receiving by WR Will Boose, WR Brad Austin, and TE Adam Justin, while Minsk leans heavily on WR Ian Cautit who has 64 receptions and 623 yards. WR Ian Cautit is a great receiver, but Sarajevo simply has more depth in 5 solid wide-outs and 2 good TEs. Edge goes to Sarajevo
Offensive Line: Minsk Left Tackle Octavious Trigger may be the most dominant Tackle in the league. He has 356 pancakes in the regular season, nearly 200 more than the next highest on his team. Edge goes to Minsk
Defensive Line: The defensive line's job is to stop the run and create pressure on the opposing QB, and both teams' defensive lines have done great jobs at both. Minsk has great linemen in DE Zevon Caprice and DT Ugoh Onyurbach with 11 sacks between them. However, Sarajevo DE Deebo and DT Marv have 30 sacks, 27 hurries, and 10 forced fumbles between them.Edge goes to Sarajevo
Linebackers: Minsk has two bigtime linebackers in King Rex and tony jaa, with over 70 tackles each. King Rex especially has done an amazing job in pass defense, recording 29 pass deflections and an interception. Edge goes to Minsk
Secondary: This is a close one. Sarajevo has several excellent cornerbacks in Gary Coleman and B.J. Penn, both with 36 pass deflections and multiple interceptions. However, Minsk has a true shut-down cornerback in Ricardo "Speedy" Gonzales, who has 83 tackles and 55 pass deflections with 5 interceptions. An amazing year for a true pro-bowler. Edge goes to Minsk
Special teams: Tough one to call. Both teams have superb special teams, with a slight edge to Minsk for kicking and a slight edge to Sarajevo for punting. I have to call this one a tie.
There's no doubt we're going into this match as underdogs, but we're not the team you trashed earlier in the season - should be a good game either way.
