Jeff

Nick

NA

Welcome fellow MPLers to the newest installment of the MPL Game of the Week. Season 7 has just kicked off this week and week 1 is full of intriguing matchups. The Lions face the Chiefs in an early test to see who could control the Pacific North. MPL's holy union of Mr. and Mrs. Pun square off in their inaugural MPL matchup. The game that stands out as the most interesting in Week 1 has to be the Dolphins at the Eagles. Let's take a look at how these two teams stack up.

The Dolphins (Underdog)

OFFENSE

Underdog comes into this season with high hopes on offense. This is Jeff's favorite team and second season in a row that he gets to play with them. He still has Daunte Culpepper with his mobility and big arm. Chris Chambers is one of the biggest threats downfield on Madden. His tight end, Randy McMichael, provides athleticism that rivals Tony G and Antonio Gates. Ronnie Brown is a fast runner who can bust some tackles. The means for Underdog to have offensive success are all there...it's just a matter of execution against a stout Eagles defense.

Key Offensive Players:

Daunte Culpepper	Ronnie Brown

DEFENSE

Miami's defense is definately one of it's strengths. The two saftey spots have good speed and strength to help combat the deep ball. Will Allen is the fastest corner but he lacks awareness so that could spell trouble for the Miami pass defense. They'll have to hope to give Garcia/Feely very little time to throw downfield with a great pass rush. The Miami defensive line is anchored by Jason Taylor who is still a menace at age 31. The Dolphins are stout up the middle with the big fellas, Keith Traylor and Vonnie Holliday. They'll need to have a big game because Moneyball has been lighting it up on the ground these days. If the defensive line fails, at least they have all-time great MLB Zach Thomas to make tackles.

Key Defensive Players:

Jason Taylor	Zach Thomas

The Eagles (Moneyball)

OFFENSE

Moneyball has always been looked at as an offensive genius. He's now minus Donovan McNabb and that big arm but he's got the know how to get the ball into the hands of the other Eagles playmakers. Brian Westbrook will be the key to Moneyball's offense this season. He has the ability to break the big run but can catch the ball like a wide receiver out of the backfield. Donte Stallworth is the Eagles best receiver as he has good hands and lights out speed. LJ Smith has proved to be another capable weapon in Moneyball's hands.

Key Offensive Players:

Brian Westbrook	Donte Stallworth

DEFENSE

Moneyball can no longer but considered purely an offensive Madden player. He has honed this part of the game so much that he is now one of the best Madden ballers in any league. Even though he no longer has the "Freak" Jevon Kearse, he still has a solid defensive line that features Darren Howard and Trent Cole. The Eagles real stregnth lies in their secondary. The corners aren't burners but with All World safety Brian Dawkins back there, the deep ball isn't a threat. Underdog will surely have to be careful when trying to pass the ball against perhaps the biggest asset to the Eagles team.

Key Defensive Players:

Brian Dawkins	Trent Cole

Key Matchup: Daunte Culpepper against Brian Dawkins

This is a matchup between two owners who are controlling their favorite teams for the second season in a row. Although Underdog is one of the best players in the MPL, Moneyball is just too strong. I think that the defensive intensity of the Eagles and Moneyball's ability to come up with big user picks will be the key to victory.

Outcome: Eagles win this one 42-21