Gunslingers Aim to Get on Winning Track Against Bay Area Panthers

By RJ Reid

Game Date: March 30, 2025
Kickoff Time: 07:05pm CST
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, CA

Overview

Week 2 of the 2025 Indoor Football League (IFL) season brings us an intriguing Western Conference matchup between the San Antonio Gunslingers and the Bay Area Panthers.  San Antonio is searching for their first win of the season after a 28-20 defeat at the hands of the Tulsa Oilers.  Bay Area will be playing their first game of the season.  Let’s break this game down.

Series History

The Bay Area Panthers lead the series 1-0.

Gunslingers Outlook

San Antonio opened the 2025 season with a hard-fought battle against the Tulsa Oilers but ultimately fell short.  Offensively, the Gunslingers did not put up the same numbers they did last year, scoring the least number of points as a franchise since entering the IFL.  Defensively, they showed tremendous grit-turning the Oilers over on downs three times-but turnovers by the Gunslingers doomed them.  Cleaning up late-game execution will be the key against a tough Panthers team.

Panthers Overview

The Bay Area Panthers enter Week 2 to play their first game of the season after a Week 1 bye week.  Known for their relentless defense and big-play offense, they thrive in the SAP Center’s electric atmosphere.  They look to be top contenders in a very competitive Western Conference.

Key Matchups

1. Malik Henry verses Panthers Pass Rush:  Henry’s ability to improvise could extend plays and big plays could open, but the Panthers’ defensive line is hungry for sacks.  Keeping Henry upright will be critical.
2. Panthers’ wide receivers versus the Gunslingers Secondary:  Bay Area’s speedy receivers could exploit San Antonio’s backfield if coverage breaks down on deep routes.  The Oilers scored two touchdowns last week due to blow pass coverage.

Keys to Victory for the Gunslingers

1. Extend plays:  Let quarterback Malik Henry use his legs to escape pressure and keep drives alive.
2. Stop by big plays:  Limit the Panthers’ explosive gains to force them into long, grind-it-out possessions.
3. Eliminate turnovers:  Henry’s two interceptions proved to be fatal in the loss to the Oilers.  San Antonio will need to eliminate these self-inflicted wounds.
4. Disrupt the rhythm:  Sacking the Panthers’ quarterback and throwing his timing off is critical to suppressing a potent Bay Area offense.
5. Control the clock:  Leaning on the run game to keep Bay Area’s offense sidelined.

X-Factor

The X-Factor in this game is San Antonio’s kicking game.  Last week, rookie kicker Jahoyakim Tyler Afoa missed a drop kick attempt, and he had a field goal blocked.  These missed points are critical, and San Antonio will need his accuracy to keep in this game.

Game Predictions

Before I get into my predictions for this game, let’s look at how I did last week:

1. The Gunslingers will score on their opening possession.
   1. Correct
2. The Gunslingers will turn the Oilers over on downs at least one time.
   1. Correct
3. The Gunslingers will rush for at least 70 yards.
   1. Don’t know, no stats are available
4. The Gunslingers will record at least 1 sack.
   1. Incorrect
5. Gunslingers victory 45-38.
   1. Incorrect.  Gunslingers lost 28-20

After a 50% accuracy rate in Week 1 (2-2-1, with rushing yards unverified due to missing IFL stats), here’s what I see for Week 2:

1. The Gunslingers score on their opening possession with a quick strike.
2. The Panther’s rack up at least two sacks, ratting San Antonio’s offense.
3. A late turnover – think a strip-sack or interception – swings momentum to the Panthers.
4. San Antonio rushes for over 70 yards but can’t keep pace with Bay Area.

Final Score

Bay Area will prove to be too much for San Antonio to overcome, so sadly I predict a final score of Panthers 48, Gunslingers 41.  Tune in next week to see how I did!