Josh

Andres

1

Week 1 of Season 7 is in the books for the MPL. After the first week, two teams looked especially imposing and they just so happen to meet up in week 2. The Titans are coming in off of an impressive 36-7 drubbing of the high powered Rams. Cleveland comes into week 2 fresh off of a superb 27-13 win over the Bears. Let's break down the matchups on each side of the ball for this one.

The Titans (RuntheRock)

OFFENSE

Rock comes into this season fresh off his first ever MPL title. He was considered one of the best, if not THE best offense in the MPL last season. But of course, that was with the potent offense of the Dallas Cowboys. This season, it's a bit of a twist as he drafted the underrated Titans with Vince Young at the helm. This is a different type of QB for Rock and he's sure to give MPLers a new look to his traditional run and bomb strategy. Rock does have something that he relies heavily on in Madden and that's the running game. Travis Henry has some quickness and can break tackles like a beast. When you add the speedy Vince Young to the mix, Rock is sure to rack up the ground yardage. The passing game is where things will get interesting for Rock. Young may be quick but his accuracy leaves something to be desired. The other component in the air attack is the receivers for Tennessee. They are young, unproven and lack consistency in catching the ball.

Key Offensive Players:

Vince Young	Travis Henry

DEFENSE

The Titan's defense can really be the key to how much success Rock will have with this team. They have some potential but again, they're unproven. Keith Bullock is a monster and will make plays all over the field. Pacman Jones is speedy and has the potential to shut down the #1 receiver for the opposing team. He'll be matched up against the Browns Braylon Edwards and should do well against the bigger Edwards. Chris Hope and Lamont Thompson will have to control the deep space while keeping an eye on the intermediate routes...especially with TE Kellen Winslow roaming the middle of the field. The defensive line of the Titans should be able to get pressure against the weaker Cleveland offensive line.

Key Defensive Players:

Keith Bulluck	Albert Haynesworth

The Browns (Wade)

OFFENSE

Wade has a challenge on his hands for perhaps the first time in his MPL career. He has a weak armed QB with decent accuracy and no real deep threat at wide receiver. Braylon Edwards is his most reliable wideout and after that is the beastly "warrior" Kellen Winslow Jr. at tight end. At running back, the Browns are really hurting and this will be what does the most damage to Wade's hopes of beating Rock. Droughns is powerful but he lacks that breakaway speed to bust the big run. Wade is going to have to hope that his frail offensive line gives him enough time to find openings in the zone of the Titans. Winslow will be the big playmaker for him but the wideouts will have to hang on to balls and the halfbacks will need to be integrated into the passing game as well.

Key Offensive Players:

Braylon Edwards	Kellen Winslow

DEFENSE

Wade's secondary lacks speed but that shouldn't be too much of a factor in this game because the wideouts of the Titans aren't burners. Russell and Pool are good compliments in the secondary at the safety spots and they'll be relied upon to be the last defense against a scrambling Vince Young. The Linebackers are the stregnth of this Browns club as they are quick and posess good awareness. These guys will be crucial to Wade's gameplan as they'll have to stay off of blocks to make tackles against the Titan rush attack of Henry and Young. The Cleveland defensive line will have a dual task of stuffing the middle against Henry and also containing the outside to not allow Young to buy time and find open receivers.

Key Defensive Players:

Andra Davis	Orpheus Roye

Key Matchup: Travis Henry against Andra Davis

This isn't so much of a one on one matchup as it is Davis's ability to get off blocks in order to stop the running game of the Titans. Henry is a beast and if he gets through the Dline of the Browns with some room to stiff arm or juke, he's going to have a field day against Cleveland. Some of the biggest rushing days in recent years have come against the Browns and I expect Rock to do much of the same. Look for Henry to have a big day in this one.

Outcome: The ability to run the ball with Young and Henry will allow Rock to control the clock. Expect Vince to be able to buy time with his legs and allow his receivers to get open. If nothing develops for targets in the air, Vince will take off and get first downs with his legs. Titans win this one 28-17