MPL Game Of The Week

Josh	v.s.	Kyle
7-0	Record	6-1
1	MPL Top Ten	4
W7	Streak	W6
	Offense
	Defense
	Intangibles
	Coaching
35	GOTW Prediction	21

Afer a 1 week hiatus for the Game of the Week due to the games being played so quickly, the feature returns and has a special game this week. It pits the top ranked and undefeated Titans against the red hot 6-1 Buffalo Bills who now sit at the 4 spot in the MPL rankings. Rock has really surpassed many people's expectations already with the Titans. Despite being the defending champ, many figured he'd lose a couple of games and not be a true contender when the season ended just because he drafted the Titans. Well he's dispelled those thoughts up to this point in the season as he's won in just about every fashion possible. This will be Rock's only test beside his 2nd matchup with Wade. This is NoFear's chance to show he belongs to be ranked up there with the big boys of the MPL. To see how this great clash will turn out, let's look at the breakdown of each team:

The Titans (RuntheRock)

OFFENSE

Rock's offense has been broken down a couple of times now and he continues to use the same approach with great success. Henry

He continues to pound the rock with Travis Henry who just chews up big time yardage. Vince Young has been Superman for Rock this season. Rock has really used Vince's skills to the best of his ability. When he has an open man, he hits him with an accurate pass...when he has running room, he takes off for a good gain on the ground. The DBs of the Bills are quick and NoFear has great awareness with his safeties but I think Rock will be able to have time in the pocket and find the open man. The running game should also be a factor in this one. Look for Henry to come out with over a bill on the ground.

Key Offensive Players:

Travis Henry Vince Young

DEFENSE

Tennessee's defense has really wavered over the last 4 weeks. This has got to worry Rock a bit with his hopes of a repeat as MPL champ. He's given up an average of just over 31 points per game over his last 4 contests. While this may be good enough to hold good teams off, it won't be good enough to beat the great teams. Are the Bills a great team? At this point, who knows. But they do have a solid offense with NoFear behind the wheel and as long as Losman stays healthy all game and they don't committ a bunch of turnovers, they should be able to score enough to give Rock a scare but by the second half, the Titans will turn it up and force the hand of the Bills. The Dline of Tennessee should be able to generate a ton of pressure in this one and record a good amount of sacks. The DBs will be looking to play vultures for any floating or fluttered passes.

Key Defensive Players:

Albert Haynesworth Chris Hope

The Bills (NoFear)

OFFENSE

There has been perhaps no hotter owner over the last 6 weeks in the MPL and this is mainly due

to the exceptional play of one Willis McGahee. He has been an absolute beast of the last few weeks and it has earned him Wade's stud of the week several times. As long as Willis can continue to be a workhorse and eat up chunks of yards then NoFear will be able to hang with Rock in this one. To compliment that strong running game, the Bills sport an underrated Madden QB in JP Losman. Losman's arm is strong which allows his to send the ball downfield to speedster Lee Evans. Losman also has some mobility that allows NoFear to buy some time to look for an open man and it gives him a chance to take off when the opportunity presents itself.

Key Offensive Players:

JP Losman Willis McGahee

DEFENSE

NoFear has really turned up the intensity of defense during his win streak. He's got a great sense of where the offense is going with the ball and his anticipations leads to turnovers. NoFear has used the turnovers to generate points both on the defensive and ensuing offensive end. Takeo Spikes is going to have to be able to shed blocks in order to make quick stops against the strong running attack of the Titans. Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson will be responsible for trying to get turnovers when the Titans pass. The Bills will have to get stops on 3rd downs. Rock has done a great job of converting on 3rd downs this season, especially because of the multiple dimensions that Vince Young brings to the game. If Buffalo can't get those 3rd down stops and doesnt created turnovers, this battle of 2 MPL elites could turn into a one sided contest.

Key Defensive Players:

Donte Whitner Takeo Spikes

Key Matchup:

VS
Bills defense against Vince Young

Despite NoFear's recent success, he hasn't faced an owner as skiled as Rock and he hasn't had to defend such a dual threat at the quarterback position. As stated earlier, in order for the Bills to hang in this game and have a chance to win, they'll have to make stops on 3rd down AND cause some turnovers along the way. Vince is certainly a playmaker in the hands of Rock and while Buffalo's defense has been stellar lately, they just won't have an answer for him.

Outcome: Rock doesn't necessarily need this win but it would likely secure a division title for him. NoFear could really use a win here to prove his legitimacy as a contender for the MPL title. The running game and Vince Young will likely prove too much for the Bills to handle in this win. That will be coupled with a relentless Tennessee pass rush that should generate enough pressure to force bad throws by Losman and will result in crippling turnovers.

Titans win this one 35-21

MPL Game Of the Week Season Record on Predictions: 4-2

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