By RJ “The Bullish Brahma” Reid
Introduction
It is Week 11 of the Indoor Football League (IFL), and the 4-4 San Antonio Gunslingers go on the road to play the 7-1 Bay Area Panthers. Here’s what you need to know:
When?
Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 8:05pm CT.
Where?
SAP Center, San Jose, California.
Gameday Weather
The game is being played indoors, obviously, but for those interested in hanging outside prior to kickoff, the weather should be typical California weather. The forecast calls for 50 degrees, mostly clear skies, a 7% chance of rain with 14 mile per hour winds.
History
This is the first game between the two teams.
Keys to Victory
San Antonio’s offense versus Bay Area’s defense. The Gunslingers continue to have the best offense in the league, scoring more than anyone else and racking up yards better than any team. Bay Area’s defense is at the top of the league, and they have proven to be tough to move the ball against. Can Antonio continue to steamroll through defenses like they have so far?
San Antonio’s defense needs to continue to improve. Although they have played better recently, they are still statistically at the bottom of the IFL. Opponents have been able to move the ball and score with relative ease against San Antonio. The Gunslingers have been able to generate more pressure and have been forcing more turnovers recently, and they need to continue that trend against one of the elite teams in the IFL.
Penalties need to stop. This has been a running theme through the season and has not shown any signs of going away. San Antonio continues to be flagged every game and many of them eventually cost them points. They cannot continue to shoot themselves in the foot with costly penalties that sustain drives for the opponent, especially when they are unable to stop them to begin with.
Predictions
Let’s look at how my predictions from last week fared:
-Kali Rashaad will have at least 2 touchdowns.
Incorrect. He did not have a touchdown.
-The Gunslingers will gain at least 300 yards of total offense.
Correct, they had 360 yards of total offense.
-TC Stevens will not miss an extra point attempt.
Incorrect. He had a field goal attempt blocked and an extra point missed.
-The Gunslingers will not commit more than 4 penalties.
Incorrect. They committed 15 penalties.
Week 10 results: 1-3.
Overall results: 11-31.
And now my predictions for this week, hopefully I’ll be a “straightshooter”:
DJ Myers will have at least 80 yards of receiving.
The Gunslingers will record at least one sack.
Sam Castronova will throw at least 5 touchdowns.
The Gunslingers will convert at least 2 4th down attempts.
Final Thoughts
The Gunslingers travel to California as one of the hottest teams in the IFL. After their 0-3 start to the season, they are 4-1. The Gunslingers have proven that they can handle themselves against the big boys of the league when they defeated previously undefeated Frisco Fighters a couple of weeks ago. Now, they play the defending IFL Champions in the Bay Area Panthers. The Panthers have the best record in the league at 7-1 and this will be another tough challenge before they go into their bye week.