#3 Dallas Gladiators (+3) @ #2 Tillman Rangers

Dallas (11-5) did not play Tillman (12-4) during the regular season. Dallas Offense vs Tillman Defense The Gladiators #8 scoring offense will have problems against the #2 scoring defense of the Rangers. Dallas' running game led by Steve Slaton (975 yds, 4.5 avg, 3 tds) is ranked 12th in yards per game (102.3) and 4th in average (4.3). On paper this looks like a good match against Tillman's #12 rank against the run and running average (3.9). But, when you look at the personnel, Tillman has one of the best defenses against the run in the league. That #12th rank may be because opponents try to use a ground game because their pass defense (1st in completion percentage (55.3%), 4th in interceptions with 18, 5th in passing yards and on and on) is so tough. For just a taste, look at their complete annihilation of Montcalm Panther QB Drew Brees. As a division opponent, Mr. Brees got to face the Ranger slapdown twice. Here's his stats: 24 of 56 (43%), 2 sacks, 5 interceptions, 1 pass for 25 yard or more, 1 touchdown for a QB rating of 29.4. Yeah, Rodgers will have his hands full. He spreads it around very evenly to WRs Steve Smith, Santonio Holmes and Anthony Gonzalez. Tillman's depth at safety provides some very nice nickel and dime coverage numbers. Rodgers will be pressured by DE Adewale Ogunleye who leads the team with 10 sacks and will have to watch out for CB Ellis Hobbs is the leader in picks with 4. Tillman Offense vs Dallas Defense The Gladiators are no slouch in the pass defense department either. They are in the top 5 of most pass defense categories except, curiously, interceptions where they are average. Still, the starting DBs have 10 picks and 2 tds among them, lead by CB Ronde Barber with half of them. Karlos Dansby heads up the LB corps (6 sks) and DE Darryl Tapp is outperforming higher rated DE Darnell Dockett on the line. The Rangers are lead by QB David Garrard (260 of 410, 63.4%, 17 tds, 11 ints, 87.6 rating). He would be worse if he didn't have such standout WRs to pass to like T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Dwayne Bowe and one year wonder Lance Moore. But Tillman's offense has rarely relied on a standout QB. Instead, using the same offensive formula that has netted them 3 consective division titles and last year's championship, they deploy a stable of RBs behind a massive offensive line and pound opponents to death on the ground. RBs Ronnie Brown (899 yds, 4.3 avg, 6 tds) and Chester Taylor (360 yds, 3.2 avg, 2 tds) lead the stampede with Selvin Young getting a few carries (36) to blow things up (6.7 yard average) and even Garrard getting in the act by taking off when a pass play isn't working and scampering for an average of 5 yards. They've combined for 116 yds/game (#6) and 15 touchdowns (#5). This does not make for a pretty situation for Dallas. They are the skim on the sludge at the bottom of the barrel in run defense, ranking 20th in yards per game, 19th in rushing average (4.1) and 14th in rushing TDs allowed (12).