Safari vs Fighting Pike: Surprise Duel in Gold Cup XVIII

[Mike]

In a surprise matchup for the Gold Cup, the Fighting Pike play against the Safari. It is a shock to some that TEN is not in this game, as they are in their prime and have beaten FWS on the road before. But, just like HON's powerhouse team, TEN has to make the playoffs!

When FWS has the ball:

This team seems to have a 1a and 1b plan. QB Palawski has shown that he can guide the team to a Gold Cup. He's finally outside of Fourcade's shadow. No one is saying he's the best QB in this game, but he's undoubtedly FWS new QB. HB Coleman, #3 in the league, sometimes gets it going, but the season has worn on him, despite adding a behemoth C from Green Bay. The WR corps is an enigma; WR4 had 91 yards in the Conference final, and only 59 yards all year. But, he stepped up when WR1 Willis went down. Overall, this #2 offence was 9th in Sacks given up.

Considering MIN's big-name offence, it is impressive that their defence is so important to their team (6th overall). They are 12th against the run, which makes people think Coleman might have a great game on the ground. 62 sacks against opponents, and stopping SPR's vaunted McFadden, however, means FWS has to worry somewhat. The defence takes away very few turnovers, and is 17th against the pass in terms of opposing QB rating. Seems to fit into Palawski's game: take a few sacks while managing to win. Still, MIN steps up for the big games, keeping Dinkins looking average and McFadden hiding behind his fullback.

When MIN has the ball:

QB Shaun King is an amazing QB (of course, he was drafted by FWS). He was obtained in a mega-trade in Season 14:

"Fort Wayne trades QB Shaun King, CB Shon Flores, a 2nd and 4th round draft pick in 2014 for S Jeremy Unertl.
Mobile gives up a first rounder in Unertl, a sure future star, but does get some good picks as well as rookie QB Shaun King and CB Shon Flores. "

That trade is still key, as King and Flores are starting for MIN while Unertl is helping keep FWS at the #1 pass defence team in terms of opponent rating.

Back to the MIN offence. HB Duggers is questionable for the game; some want this Juggernaut to come and play as he is fast & the #2 all-purpose yards guy this year. However, with HB Cooper getting 200+ all purpose yards vs SPR, who can deny him? Shaun King has a superb rating this season. With a great WR corps (the best in the league?), he might just blow a couple pass the other CBs on the FWS defence. Maybe the West Coast Offence would be best for this team, as Duggers is injured and moving the sticks will keep Coleman off the field. King will have to get the ball off quickly, with the team having given up the second most # of sacks this season. And FWS' front 4 have been relatively quiet, but they have lots of experience. MIN might not want to be too exciting, as they are -5 in turnovers this year.

On special teams, MIN is the best on Punt return coverage in the league, so FWS offence won't be starting from their own 45! Meanwhile FWS is #3 in punt returns with 2 TD. Should be a good matchup. MIN can return punts, and FWS is not the best in covering the punt, so maybe MIN's young gun WR can take one all the way. Neither team is great on KR, but MIN covers KR pretty well. For Field goals, MIN is #1, FWS #3 (Todd France and Vanderjagt). However, MIN gives up a lot of field goals while FWS' D gets in their opponents' heads.

This should be an interesting game...with each team trying to throw the other off of their game. It's the only way to win.