New Orleans VooDoo vs Philadelphia Soul Game Day Preview #PhillySoul

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Soul (5-5) are looking to win at home before they hit the road as they host the New Orleans VooDoo (2-8) on  Saturday, June 8 with kickoff scheduled at 7:05 p.m.  The Soul, leading the series between the two teams 4-2, hope to continue their four-game win streak against New Orleans, which includes last year’s first-round playoff win, 66-53. 


“We need to play like we did last week,” explained Soul head coach Clint Dolezel.  “Week in and week out we need to play like we’re playing the best team in the League.  We can’t worry about the other team’s record.  New Orleans is coming off a strong win and we can’t take them lightly.  We’re going to have to put pressure on (Kurt) Rocco because their success rides on how well he plays.  It’s going to come down to us playing sound football.”

For Dolezel’s defense, creating turnovers hasn’t been an issue as they’ve forced at least one turnover in nine of their ten games this season. Defensive lineman Bryan Robinson has been a stalwart for the Soul’s defense, ranking No. 1 in the League in tackles-for-loss (13) and is tied for No. 2 in sacks (8.0).  Philadelphia’s rush defense has only allowed 17.1 yards-per-game (No. 3) and has given up the second fewest rushing touchdowns in the League (12). 


Despite turning the ball over 23 times, the Soul have no problems moving the ball this season, averaging 312.1 yards of offense each game (No. 1). They provide a balanced attack, averaging 284.6 yards through the air (No. 3) and have scored 23 rushing touchdowns (tied for No. 3).

Despite winning last week, the VooDoo have struggled mightily on both sides of the ball, ranking No. 14 in total offense and No. 13 in scoring defense.  Last week’s 69-point outburst against Cleveland was only the third time they’ve scored more than 50 points all season.  New Orleans has given up a league-high 33 turnovers and forced a league-low 13. 

Having played with the Soul from 2011-12, WR Donovan Morgan is a familiar face to Philadelphia. He is one of New Orleans’ best players, ranking No. 7 in receiving yards-per-game (110.7) and No. 7 in scoring-per-game (14.6).  Despite only playing in five games this season, WR Quorey Payne leads the League in all-purpose yards with 206.6 yards-per-game. 

A matchup to watch will be Philadelphia’s wide receivers against the New Orleans’ secondary.  The Soul are one of only three teams to have at least three receivers with 580 yards receiving this season. Led by Tiger Jones, who ranks No. 2 in receiving yards-per-game (130.6) and No. 3 in receptions-per-game (8.7), Clint Dolezel’s team will look to exploit that favorable matchup. 

However, if Philadelphia doesn’t execute their red-zone offense, which ranks No. 8 in the League and only went 3-for-6 last week, New Orleans head coach Pat O’Hara could see his team’s win streak extend to two games for the first time this season.

SOURCE - ARENAFOOTBALL.COM