Philadelphia Soul: Week 10 Game Preview
June 25, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
After beating the Destroyers in Columbus on Saturday, the Philadelphia Soul (5-4) enter this weekend's matchup with the Albany Empire (8-1) looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season. Philadelphia needs to win just one of its remaining three games in order to secure a postseason berth. Fans can watch live on NBC Sports Philadelphia+, ESPN3 or the ESPN app, or listen to the action on 97.5 The Fanatic.
Led by 2018 league MVP Tommy Grady and top target Malachi Jones, the Empire scored a touchdown on every possession in a 57-48 victory in the teams' only previous meeting this season. Grady completed a season-high 82% of his passes while throwing seven touchdowns in the game, spoiling an impressive day for Soul receiver Lonnie Outlaw, who posted a career-high 191 receiving yards and three scores.
The early-season loss sent the Soul into a tailspin, marking the beginning of a three-game losing streak. However, three wins in the team's last four games have Philadelphia on the verge of clinching a playoff spot and in complete control of its postseason hopes.
Averaging a league-leading 50.7 points per game, the first-place Empire will pose stiffer competition than the Soul's last two opponents. Albany's receiving duo of Jones and Quentin Sims rank first and second in virtually every statistical category this season, including receiving yards and touchdowns.
While the Soul struggled to stop the Empire's high-powered offense in Week 3, Philadelphia's defense has stepped up in recent weeks. The team has forced 11 turnovers in the last four games after recording just five in the first five outings of the season, including none against Albany. On top of that, the defensive line has four sacks in the last two weeks. They'll look to get to Grady, who has yet to be sacked this season.
Offensively, Dan Raudabaugh has continued to spread the ball around. Playing without an injured Aaron Wascha, the veteran quarterback has turned to newcomers BJ Bunn and Jordan Williams to complement Outlaw and Darius Prince. Bunn has seven touchdowns (6 receiving, 1 rushing) since being named a starter in Week 6 and posted a career-high 116 receiving yards on Saturday against the Destroyers. He'll look to exploit an Albany defense that is allowing a league-worst 266.4 yards per game.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WR Lonnie Outlaw
Outlaw posted the best game of his AFL career in the team's Week 3 loss to Albany, racking up 191 receiving yards and three scores. The receiver has 305 yards and five touchdowns in all other games combined this season.
QB Tommy Grady
Grady leads the league in total offense and touchdowns. The 2018 AFL MVP completed a season-high 82% of his passes and threw for seven scores against the Soul in Week 3.
BY THE NUMBERS
11 The Soul have forced 11 turnovers in the last four games after recording just five in their first five outings this season. Defensive back James Romain leads the league with six interceptions this season, including two picks against Columbus in Week 9.
6 The Soul have had six different players lead the team in weekly fantasy scoring this season. No player has led the team in weekly scoring more than twice this season. For comparison's sake, either Malachi Jones or Quentin Sims have led the Empire in scoring in eight of their nine games (Tommy Grady led the other).
0 Albany has yet to allow a sack this year. Meanwhile, the Soul's defensive line has gotten to the QB four times in the last two weeks.
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