2016 Week 2 Preview: Predators vs Steel

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(photo credit: valenciavoice.com)

This Saturday evening, in Week 2 of the 2016 AFL season, a team that won their first game by 51 points will compete against a team who lost their first matchup by 52 points. Coming off a 76-25 drubbing of the Tampa Bay Storm, the Orlando Predators are sure to be salivating at the prospects of facing the new-look, still-figuring-themselves-out Portland Steel, whose embarrassment in Week 1 cumulated into a final score of 80-28 against the Arizona Rattlers.

If the Steel are to have any chance against the heavily-favored Predators, they are going to need much stronger quarterback play. Danny Southwick played the first three quarters after completing only 19 of 37 passes (51%), with just three touchdowns to two interceptions.

Southwick’s replacement, Kasey Peters, managed an abysmal four completions on 15 attempts at his time under center during the 4th quarter. Cutting down on turnovers alone will limit the scoring opportunities for Orlando, as three turnovers were returned for touchdowns (2 interceptions and one fumble) and another fumble was recovered just beyond their own goal line, leading to another easy score. While the defense “limited” Rattlers’ quarterback Nick Davila to 119 yards, he still accumulated five touchdown passes. All in just three quarters. The Steel will need to apply some kind of pressure on Predators quarterback Randy Hippeard if they have any hope of staying within range.

Hippeard put together 6 touchdowns (good enough for second in the league) and 241 yards (third) against the Storm last week. Greg Carr and LaMark Brown both reached the 100-yard mark receiving for Orlando. Carr also reeled in four touchdowns, tied with Arizona’s Rod Windsor for most in the league.

Kickoff is Saturday at 7:30 pm in Orlando’s Amway Center. The game will be broadcast nationally live on ESPN3.