2016 Week 11 Preview: Storm vs Sharks

(photo credit: tampabaystorm.com)

The Jacksonville Sharks (4-5) look to do something they have yet to accomplish this season: beat a team twice. They failed to do so against Philadelphia last week, and look to reverse fortunes against the 1-8 Tampa Bay Storm on Saturday, June 11 at Amalie Arena. When toe meets leather at 5 p.m. on Saturday, sparks will fly, as both teams' seasons still hang in the balance.

The Sharks hit something of a nadir in their game against the Soul, who prevented what would've been a three-game win streak. Offensively, the scoreless fourth quarter translated to the team's first sub-50-point performance since the bye week. Yes, losing London Crawford due to injury did hurt the team's chemistry, but newly-acquired Reggie Gray more than took his place. Gray recorded eight catches for 66 yards in his Jacksonville debut, adding AFL Highlight of the Week honors for his kickoff return touchdown, the boost the Sharks needed to their special teams.

Tommy Grady, one of the league's most efficient passers (his 123.8 passer rating is second in the league), did step back into old habits both early and late. He tried to give Tiger Jones history with a touchdown on his 1,000th catch in the first quarter, and was intercepted for his efforts.

In the fourth quarter, Grady had issues finding and connecting to open receivers, putting more pressure on the defense. However, the firepower is still there against a team in the Storm that is not only allowing 54.8 points per game, but has the fewest takeaways in all the Arena Football League (12).

On defense, the Sharks have just as much of an advantage as well, despite an equally poor finish last week. While Jacksonville did take the ball away from Philadelphia twice, Dan Raudabaugh still threw eight touchdowns and continued his case for league MVP.

Jason Boltus is not quite at that level, but he is the best Tampa Bay's had under center all season as they try to turn around their campaign. Not to mention, the Sharks have to go from making wide receiver history to trying to prevent it, as T.T. Toliver needs a mere 27 yards to pass Damien Harrell for first place all-time in career receiving yards. If either Greg Reid or LaRoche Jackson (ideally both) can return to the starting lineup, that's a tremendous help against a Storm offense that has 21 turnovers to its name and a mere 37% third down conversion rate.

The one bright spot is the apparent stability in special teams. Lindsey Wolfe, Jacksonville's third kicker of the season, made all six extra point attempts against the Soul. On top of that, special teams truly became special thanks to Gray's performance, as well as David Hyland recovering a Keon Lyn forced fumble. Expect Coach Moss' changes to play an important factor in possibly opening up the game as it progresses.

Yes, on paper this would seem as a mismatch. However, Jacksonville can ill afford to take Tampa Bay lightly. Going back to the 2013 playoffs, it was a 7-11 Storm team that put a scare into the Sharks, taking the lead and going to the wire in a 69-62 win.

While the 2016 version did lose to the previously winless Portland Steel 68-35, Tampa Bay did something that Jacksonville hasn't done, beat the Arizona Rattlers. A Sharks loss would give a suddenly scary Storm team life going into the stretch run of the season, while a win would put Jacksonville closer and back into the fight for a top-three seed come playoff time, translating to a crucial home quarterfinal and possibly an easier semifinal.