Philadelphia Soul: Week 3 Game Preview
Published on May 7, 2019 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
The Philadelphia Soul (2-0) host the Albany Empire (2-0) on Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center looking to start 3-0 for a third straight season. After splitting the season series last year, the Soul are hoping to improve to 9-4 all-time against Rob Keefe-coached teams. Fans can watch live on NBC Sports Philadelphia+, ESPN3 or the ESPN app, or listen to the action on 97.5 The Fanatic.
This week's matchup will feature the two longest-tenured quarterbacks in the league in Dan Raudabaugh (9 seasons) and Tommy Grady (8), with both QBs coming off impressive five-touchdown performances. While this is just the teams' fifth all-time meeting, Grady has found success against the Soul in the past. In his last two outings against Philadelphia, the 2018 league MVP threw 18 touchdowns to zero interceptions while completing just over 67 percent of his passes. He'll look to connect with last season's Rookie of the Year Malachi Jones. After leading the league in receiving yards in 2018, Jones has picked up where he left off, catching six passes for 119 yards and two scores in last weekend's win over Washington.
On the other side of the ball, Albany is allowing a league-best 23.0 PPG. The Soul will look to break down that defense with receivers Darius Prince and Aaron Wascha. The pair accounted for all five of Philadelphia's touchdowns in Week 2 and have posted big numbers against the Empire in the past. While Albany has allowed a 100-yard receiver just nine times in team history, five of those instances have come against the Soul, including three by Prince. Meanwhile, Wascha set the single-game franchise record for receiving yards (208) and touchdowns (7) in last year's Week 10 win at Albany.
Another point in the Soul's favor is the offseason addition of General Manager and assistant coach Beau Bell. The 2017 Defensive Player of the Year served as the Empire's Director of Player Personnel and Pass Rush Coordinator last season, overseeing a defensive line that led the league in sacks. Now back with the Soul, Bell knows what to expect from his former team.
"Albany has a very good pass rush. They have the best pass rusher in the league right now in Joe Sykes," Bell said. "I have played with and coached these guys so I am very aware of what they can do, but so is my offensive line. They've been playing against these guys for years so as long as we stay focused and use proper technique, we'll be fine."
Saturday's kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm ET.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WR Aaron Wascha
After a hamstring injury kept him out of the opener, Wascha returned to the lineup in Week 2, scoring a team-high 3 touchdowns and 32.2 fantasy points. In last season's Week 10 matchup with the Empire, Wascha set single-game franchise records for receiving yards (208) and touchdowns (7).
WR Darius Prince
In four career games against the Empire, Prince has gone over 100 yards three times. With Darius Reynolds on IR, expect Prince to continue to shoulder much of the workload.
QB Tommy Grady
The 2018 AFL MVP threw 28 touchdowns in four games against the Soul last season and is off to a hot start this year. Through the first two games of the season, Grady has nine touchdowns and is completing 67.7% of his passes.
DL Joe Sykes
Sykes led the league with 7.5 sacks last season, more than twice as many as any other player. Described by Soul GM Beau Bell as "the best pass rusher in the league right now", Sykes will face a tough Philadelphia offensive line that has yet to allow a sack this season.
BY THE NUMBERS
5 Albany has allowed nine 100-yard receivers in its history, five of which have been Soul wideouts: Darius Prince (3), Aaron Wascha (1), and Darius Reynolds (1).
100-Yard Receiving Games vs Albany Empire - Team History
Rec Yds
6/16/18 Aaron Wascha, PHI 208
6/9/18 Brandon Thompkins, BAL 159
7/7/18 Darius Reynolds, PHI 139
6/23/18 Brandon Collins, BAL 131
5/19/18 Darius Prince, PHI 125
6/16/18 Darius Prince, PHI 113
4/14/18 Darius Prince, PHI 112
7/14/18<< Reggie Gray, WSH 103
4/28/18 Milton Williams, BAL 100
>>Postseason game
12 12 of Darius Prince's 36 career touchdowns have come against Albany. The receiver has averaged 108.0 receiving yards in four games vs the Empire.
18 Empire quarterback Tommy Grady has thrown 18 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two games against the Soul. Like Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh, the 2018 league MVP is coming off a five-touchdown performance in Week 2.
Tommy Grady vs Philadelphia Soul - 2018 Season
First 2 Games Last 2 Games
Comp pct 56.9 67.2
Pass YPG 218.5 287.0
TD-Int 10-3 18-0
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