The Philadelphia Soul defeated the San Jose SaberCats 42-20 on Sunday, July 19 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia to extend their win streak to three games and help increase their playoff chances.
Philadelphia’s defense was the story of the game, as
Rayshaun Kizer put up a stellar performance with nine tackles, two
interceptions and three broken up passes. San Jose quarterback Nathan Stanley
was 17-40 in the game, throwing for one touchdown and three interceptions.
The Soul defense held the SaberCats to just one
touchdown in the second half.
Dan Raudabaugh went 21-36 in the game, throwing for
240 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Derrick Ross had 109
all-purpose yards on the evening with three rushing touchdowns. Markee White
brought in two touchdowns and 71 yards on seven receptions, while Emery Sammons
had 82 yards on eight receptions.
The highlight of the game came with four minutes
remaining in the first half when Raudabaugh found Ross at the Soul 18 yard line,
where he had a number of SaberCats on him as he reached midfield but was
somehow able to pull the pile of players 32 yards for a Soul touchdown.
The win brought the Soul above .500 at 9-8, and more
importantly puts them in the final wildcard spot for the time being, pending
the outcome of the Tampa Bay Storm-Spokane Shock game tomorrow night at 8:30
p.m. in Spokane.
As the Soul will prepare to travel to Pittsburgh to
take on the Power at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at the Console Energy Center, Soul
fans will be keeping both eyes on the Tampa Bay Storm throughout the next week.
After Monday night’s game in Spokane, the Storm will return home to take on the
16-1 Cleveland Gladiators at 7:30 p.m. Here’s how the playoff picture is
looking as of 7/20:
If
the Storm lose to Spokane, the Soul will be able to clinch a playoff spot with
a win against the Power.
If
the Storm miraculously find a way to beat the reigning MVP in Erik Meyer in
Spokane, than Philadelphia will need to defeat the Power AND need the
Gladiators to beat the Storm on Saturday to make the playoffs.
If
the Storm somehow beat the Shock on the road than come home to beat the
Gladiators in the season finale, they will be the final wildcard in the
playoffs.
If
the Storm lose both of their final two games, than the Soul will move on to the
American Conference playoffs.
Whichever team receives the final wildcard seed in the
American Conference will go on the road to play the Gladiators in Cleveland in
the opening round of the playoffs at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 2 on CBS Sports
Network.
Here are some things to think about with both teams
while looking ahead:
Philadelphia beat a quality San Jose team that was
riding a five game win streak that included blowing out the than undefeated
Arizona Rattlers, and this matchup was as one sided as the blowout the ’Cats
handed the Soul back in March. Redemption is sweet, and although the SaberCats
had essentially nothing to play for, they still had their starters on the field
competing hard. San Jose might not have thrown their entire playbook at the
Soul Sunday, but Philadelphia should have their heads up high after this win.
The Soul will run into a team with a similar
situation next week in Pittsburgh, where the Power have locked up their playoff
seed and already know their playoff opponent. I would assume the Power will
have their starters going in the season finale as well, but like the SaberCats
they will not throw every play at us they can. Still, the Power are a talented
team that cannot be overlooked no matter what the situation is, and they don’t
want to give their cross-state rival anything easy.
Tampa Bay will be running into two similar situations
as the Soul this week, as both Spokane and Cleveland have clinched their
playoff seed and are just waiting for the rest of the playoff picture to work
itself out. It’s going to be tough traveling across the country for the Storm
and playing one of the greatest quarterbacks in the game in Meyer. Their finale
at home against the Gladiators might be an easier situation for them, but a
16-1 team should never be considered an easy opponent either.
There are still three more games left that will
decide the fate of the Soul’s playoff chances. The Storm may control their destiny,
but after Philadelphia’s huge victory Sunday night, the Soul should be the ones
feeling better right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment