Week 12 Preview: Rattlers at Talons
June 5, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Antonio Talons News Release
The San Antonio Talons (5-5) are looking to climb above .500 for the first time this season as they take on the first place Arizona Rattlers (10-1), Saturday, June 8 at the Alamodome. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm CST as the Talons look to upset the Rattlers, after escaping with a narrow victory on Monday against the Utah Blaze 42-41.
This is the second time the teams will square off this season, after Arizona routed the Talons in week 5 of the season 83-40. The Rattlers offense ran a clinic in that game by scoring five touchdowns on their first six possessions. Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila threw for 232 yards, eight touchdowns and made the Talons pass defense look almost invisible the whole game.
To keep up with Arizona's dynamic offense, the Talons will rely heavily on quarterback Xavier Lee. The former Florida State Seminole has made the most of his last two starts, throwing for 444 yards and eight touchdowns while also running for two more. Lee has been big for the offense in "crunch time", converting 70% of his 4th down pass attempts.
The Talons defense will need to put heavy pressure on Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila in order to emerge victorious on Saturday night. Davila has been an offensive machine this year, already throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 71 touchdowns. The Talons defense will look to duplicate their Monday night performance against the Blaze, when they forced five turnovers (3 fumbles, 2 interceptions).
Kick returner D.J. Stephens is suffering from an apparent hamstring injury, which could spell trouble for the Talons. Stephens has been a spark plug for the Talons on special teams, returning three kickoffs for touchdowns in his last two games. If Stephens is unable to go this week, defensive back Carlton Brown will assume the kick return duties for the Talons.
The Talons will need a complete performance on all sides of the ball on Saturday (defense, offense, and special teams), if they are going to pull off the big upset against Arizona and keep their playoff hopes alive.
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