MPL Game Of The Week

Paul	v.s.	Lil J
2-0	Record	2-0
9	MPL Top Ten	8
W2	Streak	W2
	Offense
	Defense
	Intangibles
	Coaching
24	GOTW Prediction	20

The Patriots (MPL Prez)

The Pats have been rolling the last couple of weeks on offense and that's thanks to the steady hand of future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. New England may have lost the likes of Deion Branch but they haven't slowed down any. They have a poweful duo at the running back position with Lawrence Maroney and Corey Dillon. These two powered Pun to the playoffs last season and you can expect the same for Paul this season. Tom may not have a stable of thoroughbreds to throw to this season but Paul has two very tall tightends who can ran and catch the ball. Look for the tightend position to have a huge impact in this game, especially on 3rd downs. The biggest key for the Pats in this game, besides the play of Tom Brady, is to run the ball and control the clock. They need to keep that dynamic offense of Lil J's Redskins off the field!

Key Offensive Players:

  

Tom Brady       Lawrence Maroney

The Patriots defense has given up and average of 12.5 points per game so far in this early season and that's thanks to a stellar cast of defensive stars. The 34 scheme can riddle any offensive minded player when it's employed correctly and Paul has certainly been on point with it in the early going. The defensive front has put a lot of pressure on the previous two teams and it's been backed up with great play from their secondary. That will need to continue if New England hopes to contain the high octane offense of the Redskins. Ty Warren and Richard Seymour will key the front line while Rodney Harrison will be a key player in the deep secondary, guarding against those playaction passes.

Key Defensive Players:

  

Ty Warren       Rodney Harrison

The Redskins (Lil J)

Lil J has really been workin it on offense with Jason Campbell under center. He's been able to stretch the field by utilizing his speedy wide receivers but he's also been able to find the stuff underneath that allows him to move the chains. Will he be able to continue to produce like that against a monster New England defense? That will depend on whether he can get a solid running game going with Ladell Betts. Thus far in the season, Lil J hasn't missed the services of injured Clinton Portis and that's because Betts has filled in nicely. If he can establish a good running game, Lil J will exploit the Pats secondary with a precise playaction passing game.

Key Offensive Players:

  

Jason Campbell       Ladell Betts

As well as Lil J's offense has been playing, the defense has stepped up to the same level. Sean Taylor has been a turnover producing machine at safety and Lemar Marshall has anchored a quick Redskin linebacking core. Turnovers will certainly be a key for Lil J in this one. He can't afford to let Prez control the clock with the running game. If the Dline of Washington can flex some muscle and allow their linebackers to make plays, then they'll be in good shape to get the ball back to their explosive offense.

Key Defensive Players:

  

Sean Taylor       Lemar Marshall

Key Matchup:


VS  
Tom Brady against Sean Taylor

Prez will need to figure out a way to keep from turning the ball over in this game. Lil J is 2-0 for a reason and it's not only because of his offense. His defense has stepped up in the clutch, making big plays and causing turnovers. Sean Taylor is the catalyst to this defense so it'll be important for Brady to be able to utilize all of in targets in order to keep the Redskins defense off balance.

Outcome: Prez has always had the smarts and now he has the team to go along with them. New Englad has a solid offense that is able to control the clock and make big plays when they are needed. The defense has the ability to contain Jason Campbell and slow down the Redskins attack enough to be able to pull out the victory.
Patriots win this one 24-20