*Arizona: The Next Three Weeks

[StamkosFan]

In a year when the Outlaws expected to be contending for an Ultimus, they have been a middling team. It has been pretty disappointing up here to Week 6; barely clinging to a .500 record, Arizona needs to get something going. The points for and the points against look good, a lot better than their record and place in the standings would suggest. Perhaps it is merely bad luck, but we will see. Luck is something that corrects itself over time, so they should hopefully start winning more games. This week 7 game coming up will be key; they absolutely need a win against the Austin Copperheads to keep their playoff hopes alive. Well, not mathematically, but realistically this is a must win game. They cannot have their record dip below .500, that would be a huge blow to their morale and put them behind the eight ball for the rest of the season.

Austin is tied with them in the standings, so if only one can prevail, the outcome of this game is likely to determine who moves on and who is stuck waiting for next year. The Copperheads, unlike Arizona, have given up more points than they have scored, so with a weaker offense and a much weaker defense, the Outlaws have to be the favorites here. Undoubtedly the Outlaws coach will want them to come out strong in the first quarter and give 110 percent. Trying to bury these guys seem to be ideal; with the fast wide receivers and the intelligent quarterbacks Arizona has, it will be difficult for the Copperheads piecemeal defensive line to keep up. This team may yet be what the pundits said it will be, but they need to show it here and now. Here and now, before it is too late.

The next two weeks are also crucial, and victories in Weeks 8 and 9 would be a huge step forward. It could alter their place in the standings and start them on an upward trajectory. The Baltimore Hawks and the Sarasota Sailfish, respectively, are their next two opponents; two teams who also both have middling records. Sarasota, just coming off an Ultimus run, cannot be too happy with such a major step back. A 2-4 record is really underachieving, especially with the expectations that were on their shoulders before the year started. They should be out for blood, probably the toughest matchup the Outlaws are due to square up against, despite what their record will tell you. Sarasota will be desperate to go on a tear in the back half of this season, and they will see Arizona as the perfect victim to take down to pad their win column total. The Outlaws need to prove that they are not easy pickings and that they can compete with the best of the best. If they win against the Sailfish, that will signal that they can win come playoff time. It would be huge if Arizona can win all 3 of these next games, but the goal should be 2. It is do or die, now or never, to get back into the race.

[Crunk]