MPL Game Of The Week

LilJ	v.s.	Sully
2-0	Record	2-0
4	MPL Top Ten	1
W2	Streak	W2
	Offense
	Defense
	Intangibles
	Coaching
38	GOTW Prediction	24

The Seahawks (LilJ)

The Seahawks are working with a stacked offense, and coach Lil J knows how to pick defenses apart. Hes gonna use Darell Jackson and Deion Branch to set the pace for the Seahawks potent passing game. Matt Hasselbeck can really thread the needle and these 2 wideouts will find enough space and get open for him. Another one of the Seahawks key weapons will be TE Jerramy Stevens, the 6'8" Te is very hard to defend espically if Hasselbeck can keep his passes up. Last but certainly not least Shaun Alexander, the cover boy combines all the key talents you want from your RB, hes got speed to run outside, power to bust holes up inside, and hes got hands like a receiver.

Key Offensive Players:

  

Matt Hasselbeck       Shaun Alexander

The Seahawks Defense has as many weapons as their Offense. We'll start out up front. Their D line is led by Grant Wistrom who is a balanced DE who can stop the run game along with putting excellent pressure on the QB. The Linebackers are among the quickest in the league. Tatupu locks down the middle of the field and will be the key to stopping Frank Gore from getting loose. Julian Peterson strikes fear into the heart of many opposing Qb's he can rush the QB with great sucess or he can drop back in coverage and run stride for stride with any tight end, and even some wideouts. The secondary is led by corner Marcus Trufant a lock down coverage cornerback, who should have no problem staying with Niners #1 reciever Antonio Bryant.

Key Defensive Players:

  

Lofa Tatupu      Julian Peterson

The 49ers (Sully)

Sully runs a solid all around offense in the west coast format. He uses Frank Gore who will run over you if you let him. Gore has the speed and tackle breaking ability to be an elite running back in the MPL. Because of some defiencies with his wide recieving core, watch out for his 2 speed tight ends who cause many problems for Linebackers. Sully will use Alex Smith's quickness to get away from pressure that the seahawks superior defense will cause and hit his great tight ends,Vernon Davis and Eric Johnson. You will see the bulk of his passes come inside 10 yards especially in the flats and crossing the middle.

Key Offensive Players:

  

Frank Gore       Vernon Davis

There are a lot of holes in the 49ers defense in which Sully will need to fill or hide. The key for him will be to bring pressure and keep Hasselback from being able to set his feet and get the ball to his fast wide recievers. Bryant Young and Manny Lawson will need to be both the Yin and the Yang, stopping Alexander from running all over them, and keeping the pressure on Hassleback. Their Linebackers will need to keep an eye on the TE Jerramy Stevens and also look to keep Alexander from catching balls in the flats. Sullys defense is facing a 5 headed beast in the Seahawks offense and he will have to figure out a way to be omnipresent.

Key Defensive Players:

  

Bryant Young       Manny Lawson

Key Matchup:


VS  
Lofa Tatupu against Frank Gore

With an extremely overmatched receiving core the key for Sully will be to keep Frank Gore rolling on offense. Lofa Tatupu will have the goal of keeping him in check, so that sully will have to find other weapons to put points on the board. I believe Tatupu is up to the challenge. And, Sully will be forced to look to the air for his offense.

Outcome: The Seahawks will take the lead early and the won't look back. The Niners have no right to be in this game and Lil J will show them that. The Seahawks Offense and Defense create bad matchups all over the field, that even the champ will not be able to compensate for. These 2 teams will be battling it out the entire season for the top spot in the division, but they will both find a way to be a part of the playoff picture.

Seahawks win this one 38-24

MPL Game Of the Week Season Record on Predictions:   2-0