SJ and LV Fight for Winning Record
Scott Miller
Friday February 28, 2003
Both teams have a 2-2 record. Las Vegas is riding a two-game winning streak while the SaberCats snapped their 2-game losing streak with an 80-40 defeat of expansion Colorado. The SaberCats need to move above .500 to show that they are capable of defending their ArenaBowl title. The Gladiators need to continue winning to establish themselves with their new fans in Las Vegas.
Just like the Gladiators in Rome, the odds in this contest favor the ‘Cats. VegasInsider.com has the opening line as San Jose –7, which might be a little off. One good bet on this game though is the coin toss: the SaberCats have not won the opening coin toss yet this season, going 0 for 4 on the opening flip.
The SaberCats lead the series with the Gladiators 2-1. (The last time they met was when the Gladiators were still the New Jersey Red Dogs and the ‘Cats won.) The statistical match up favors the SaberCats. They are the defending ArenaBowl champions and their offense leads the league in scoring. As well as the number one offense in the league, the SaberCats have a strong pass defense. The SaberCats are a perfect 15 for 15 on scoring chances inside the red zone this season.
If the Gladiators are going to win two things must happen. First, they’ll have to keep San Jose to well below their average 62 points a game. WR/DB Jeroid Johnson and the Las Vegas defense will have to have a big day. Second, Las Vegas cannot allow any turnovers. QB Jay McDonagh cannot afford to throw any interceptions. The Gladiators have to be careful not to fumble the ball. Over the last three games, the SaberCats have forced 13 turnovers, all of which have resulted in San Jose touchdowns. San Jose converted six Colorado turnovers into 42 points in its 80-40 win. The SaberCats are +9 in turnovers: the best in the league.
What it comes down to is if the Gladiators can remember the basics of football, they have just as good a chance at beating San Jose as anyone else.
Scott Miller is a professional computer geek and talk show host in Las Vegas. His show is streamed live from klav120am.com on Fridays at 8PM. Archives of his show, The Usual Suspects can be found at his website.
