With the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-1) defeating the Pittsburgh Power (1-2) yesterday the Soul will need to defeat the Gladiators this Sunday to maintain their lead of the Eastern Division. The Soul (2-0) and the Gladiators (1-1) will face off in one of the division's more marquee match-ups.
The Soul currently are the league's number one scoring offense at 73.5 points per game while the Gladiators are the AFL's top scoring defense holding opponents to just 40.0 points per game. The two teams are polar opposites in regards to how each team wins games. The Gladiators are ranked 15th in scoring offense at 44.0 points per game (29.5 points lower than the Soul) and the Soul are ranked 13th in scoring defense allowing 60.5 points per game (20.5 more points than the Gladiators allow).
This game's deciding factor will come down to what side will break first. The Soul can score in bunches, but the Gladiators can keep the yards and points from happening as frequently. What each team does well is exactly what the other doesn't.
The Soul have the top rushing offense (44.5 yards per game) while the Gladiators have the league's worst rushing attack (4.0 yards per game). The Soul can rush the ball, but they can't stop it as they allow 33.0 yards per game (3rd worst) and the Gladiators can't rush nor can they stop the rush giving up 32.5 yards per game (4th worst).
The Soul only average 21 more yards in the passing game, but Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh is much more proficient than Gladiator QB John Dutton. The Soul are ranked 3rd in passing efficiency (121.3) whereas the Gladiators are ranked 16th (77.6). Raudabaugh's completion percentage (69.5) is almost ten points higher than Dutton's (59.8) despite throwing 23 less passes than Dutton. Raudabaugh is 41 of 59 passing for 508 yards and 14 TD's with 2 INT's and Dutton is 49 of 82 passing for 466 yards and 9 TD's with 5 INT's.
The Soul's biggest weakness, their turnovers, are somewhat less concerning as they face a Gladiators squad having similar troubles with holding onto the football. The Gladiators lost 7 turnovers (5 INT's and 2 FL) while forcing 7 turnovers (6 INT's and 1 FR) for a turnover margin of 0. The Soul have lost 7 turnovers (2 INT's and 5 FL) while forcing 6 turnovers (3 INT's and 3 FR) for a turnover margin of -1. The Soul still need to sure things up in that department and facing a team that intercepts the ball more than they recover fumbles is better for a Soul team that commits way too many fumbles. I don't see Raudabaugh having another uncharacteristic turnover happy game in back-to-back weeks, but the Gladiators defense won't make it easy for him.
The Gladiators defense also ranks 1st in pass defense efficiency and total defense. Overall the Gladiators defense is better in every category than the Soul and that's to be expected. The Soul's defense have not as of yet lived up to the hype, but I do expect them to improve as the season progresses.
I feel that the Soul will have the upper-hand in this game because of their offense and kick return game. They rank 2nd in the AFL with a 23.8 kickoff return average whereas the Gladiators rank 16th with a 13.2 kickoff return average. When you have two aspects of the game heavily within your control, it'll be difficult to not expect victory to result. Especially being that this is the Soul's home opener, the Wells-Fargo Center will be electric and a huge advantage for the Soul to say the least.
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