The Vipers have gone back into the loss column after last Saturdays game against the Battlehawks. Meanwhile the Brahmas are coming out of a close win against the Renegades which means they have the momentum in this Saturdays game. Vegas is having their last home game this Saturday which means there’s a lot of pressure on this game to end the home games on a win.
San Antonio Brahmas (2-4) @ Vegas Vipers (1-5)
Start (Kickoff): Saturday, Apr. 1st/ 3PM E.T.
Location: Cashman Field, Las Vegas, Nevada
Channel: ESPN2
Injury Reports & Roster Moves
Releases & Reserve List Moves
Vegas Vipers: Tuesday (3/28), DeAndre Torrey (RB) was placed on the reserve list after suffering a bicep injury against the Battlehawks and also signed Jamar Summers (CB). Wednesday (3/29), the Vipers released Matt Cohen (OT) and Nijuel Hill (CB).
The next day they went out and signed Saeed Blacknall (WR) who had spent time with the Vipers back in training camp before he was cut before Week 1.
San Antonio Brahmas: Wednesday (3/29), Dwayne Wallace was claimed off waivers after being waived by the Defenders. Kobe Smith (DT) was placed on the reserve list the same day. The Brahmas also released Julian McCleod the next day.
Injury Report
San Antonio Brahmas (2-4) @ Vegas Vipers (1-5) Preview & Prediction
Well. Back to square one. After a tough loss last Saturday against the Battlehawks, the Vipers can’t reach playoffs at all. Meanwhile the Brahmas really need this win to elevate themselves to try and get a positive record. The Vipers are now 1 and 5, which means they really need to look for some sort of energy to fight the Brahmas with so they can at least be 2 and 5 and extend their wins on the season.
Offensive Preview
The Vipers have completely changed since last Saturday, they have a new QB1 in Jalan McClendon, and they signed Saeed Blacknall (WR). With the new change at QB1 the Vipers could have a better chance to win with some fresh legs now in. Brett and Luis were both serviceable but no one knows how good Jalan will really be which means this game is honestly up in the air in terms of scoring for this team.
This offense could honestly go either way, it can either go really bad or the offense could run as smooth as it could’ve been all season long. No in between because that’s the way this offense has looked all season, due to the offense running smooth one game but then the next game they can’t get anything going.
The Brahmas are coming off a really bad offensive showing despite the win. Kurt Benkert and Jawon Pass both couldn’t get anything going. Kurt went 1 for 6, 2 passing yards, and no passing or rushing touchdowns but threw an INT. Jawon Pass had 57 passing yards but no INT’s or passing touchdowns.
Although Kurt and Jawon couldn’t get anything going, Jacques Patrick ran for 82 rushing yards. Jacques Patrick is 5th in rushing yards in the league and could be the key to winning this weeks game in Vegas.
Defensive Preview
The Vipers have looked better in the pass rush but the secondary has continued to struggle. Not to mention the run defense has been poor but is still dominant in the red zone. Pita Taumoepenu had yet again dominated in Saturdays game where he had 2 sacks and 1 TFL. Not to mention Maurice Smith (Safety) led the team in total tackles (8 Total Tackles), had 1 sack, and 1 TFL in Saturdays game as well.
Max Roberts and Pita Taumoepenu both are tied 3rd in the league for most sacks in the league (5 Sacks/ Tied with Tim Ward from Roughnecks). Jamar Summers (CB) and Ryan Mueller (LB) are new additions to the team and could be helpful this late into the season, which means they could see some defensive snaps and special team snaps.
The defense is why the Brahmas ultimately won in last weeks game against the Renegades. Tenny Adewusi secured the game ending INT which led the Brahmas to win 15-9. Jordan Williams also led the team in total tackles in an impressive 14 total tackle game along with 3 TFL’s, Delontae Scott had 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble, Drew Beesley also had 1 sack.
As you can tell the Brahmas have a pretty serious defense that has a pretty good pass rush defense and run defense. The Vipers need to be careful and try not to turn the ball over because the Brahmas are nothing to underestimate on defense.
Final Score Prediction:
San Antonio Brahmas: 20
Vegas Vipers: 12
The Brahmas have a seriously dangerous defense which means Jalan McClendon getting his first start could either end in a tough loss or a close win. The Vipers are getting fresh legs in Jalan but no one knows how Jalan will perform under this kind of pressure in the Vipers last home game of the season. The Brahmas aren’t much better on offense especially with how Jawon and Kurt did but the Vipers secondary has gotten worse and worse these past couple of games but they could step it up this week against a lackluster Brahmas offense.
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