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+---- Thread: *Marshals Hand Tijuana First Loss of Season (/showthread.php?tid=9710)
*Marshals Hand Tijuana First Loss of Season - HalfEatenOnionBagel - 07-25-2018
After starting the season 5-0, many wondered just what it was going to take to knock off the Luchadores this season. Well, it didn’t take long to find out as the San Antonio Marshals defeated them 34-21 in week 6. Despite losing to the Luchadores last season in the playoffs, the Marshals are certainly a force to be reckoned with. Focusing on a strong running game led by current rushing yardage and touchdown leader Marquise Brown combined with one heck of a defense, the Marshals are certainly a team that still deserves some respect despite their weak start to the season. In this game, San Antonio showed why they match up so well against Tijuana. The speed of Brown is something that most defenses have struggled against in the DSFL, and Tijuana has shown similar issues matching up against speed on defense when going against other talented rushing attacks and especially against mobile quarterbacks. Brown was absolutely the deciding factor in this one as he ran for over 200 yards and scored two touchdowns as well. He could not be stopped and the Tijuana defense struggled to keep up with him all day. The other thing to note about San Antonio is that the way their defense plays matches up perfectly against Tijuana’s offense. Tijuana has relied heavily on their league leading passing attack and stud QB Flaconi so far this season. But, the Marshals passing defense is far and away the best in the league with almost twice as many interceptions as any other team, as well as the most pass deflections and second most sacks. Although Falconi still managed a great 88.7 rating and 3 touchdowns in the game, she and Metaxas each threw an interception and that combined with only 56 yards rushing and no answer for Brown on defense was clearly a recipe for defeat.
With two more games against the Marshals in the regular season as well as an almost guaranteed matchup in the DSFC Championship game, Tijuana is going to have to figure out a way to counter this hungry Marshals team if they want to have a shot at defending their title. The keys to doing so are there. They need to tighten up on defense to start, that will make a huge difference in all of their games going forward. Despite having the DSFL’s best record so far, Tijuana has given up the third most points in the league. They also need to get their running game going, their backfield is too talented to only be getting 50 rushing yards, even against a talented defense like San Antonio’s. How they accomplish these two things is obviously in the hands of the coaches, and Tijuana has shown to be an excellent organization that should have no trouble making adjustments. We’ll have to see how this team grows over the course of the season. Still ahead of the Marshals in the conference, there is certainly room to breathe, but with the season less than halfway over it will be a close race down to the finish and Tijuana doesn’t look as invincible as they once did.
*Marshals Hand Tijuana First Loss of Season - PDXBaller - 07-25-2018
Except for S7, I believe the Marshals have consistently had an elite defense with a strong secondary. They usually lead or are in the top 2 teams with interceptions, pass deflections, and defensive touchdowns. It's one of the best 'DSFL Identities' in the league!
*Marshals Hand Tijuana First Loss of Season - HalfEatenOnionBagel - 07-25-2018
(07-25-2018, 10:34 AM)PDXBaller Wrote:Except for S7, I believe the Marshals have consistently had an elite defense with a strong secondary. They usually lead or are in the top 2 teams with interceptions, pass deflections, and defensive touchdowns. It's one of the best 'DSFL Identities' in the league!
Yeah that's what people have told me. Really impressive actually considering the volatility of DSFL rosters season to season
*Marshals Hand Tijuana First Loss of Season - kckolbe - 07-25-2018
(07-25-2018, 09:36 AM)HalfEatenOnionBagel Wrote:Yeah that's what people have told me. Really impressive actually considering the volatility of DSFL rosters season to season
A lot of that was due to inactives acquired in the first two seasons. Things will start adjusting more now.