The breakers’ playoff-clinching victory was spotted by Jarrod Fernandez

By Color wonder
Fox Sports Draft Analyst

The 9th week of tussle between the Tampa Bay Bandits and the New Orleans Breakers focused on star quarterback Jordan Tamu and Kyle Slaughter, but the signal-collar stole the spotlight in the breakers’ 17-6 victory on Sunday. .

New Orleans middle linebacker Gerard Fernandez hit two fumbles in the first half, ending a promising drive led by game-leading bandits Tamu. USFL In the passing touchdown.

Fernandes’ formidable fumbles were offset in the first half (and his own fumble in the second) by impressive juggling interceptions by Tampa Bay middle linebacker Anthony Butler.

With this victory, New Orleans (6–3) won the league’s final playoff berth and eliminated Tampa Bay (4-5) a week before the end of the regular season. The breakers of Larry Fedora have not lost a single game this season in which he led the break.

Here’s who was different in the breakers’ victory:

Fernandez, L.B.

Fernandes’ two great fumbles in the first half – as well as an interception by cornerback Derrick Jones – gave Slaughter a small field, helping the breakers to a 17-0 lead at halftime.

The double-digit victory was deceptive, as the bandits outscored New Orleans on the offensive side of the ball throughout the game and dominated the total yards (352-215).

Each time Tampa Bay accelerated the offense, however, Fernandez and the rest of the New Orleans defense took the bandits away, surviving to its pre-game ranking as the USFL’s strongest red-zone defense.

Fernandes thwarted Tampa Bay’s first attempt at scoring position, BJ Immans letting the ball loose by hitting the bandits on time and physically.

Immans was initially removed from contact, but Ripley made it clear that the ball had gone out before his knee hit the ground. This was a particularly unfortunate turn of events for Immons, who did a good job of avoiding persecution in the backfield.

When Fernandes swiped the ball even harder in the second quarter, he gave Richard Davis a beautiful perfection in the middle. One of the few explosives plays a crime-produced game.

Fernandez was aptly named the game’s defensive MVP. He did eight tackles with one sack to go with his two turnovers.

Jones, C.B.

There was an interception by Jones, however, he was a real backbreaker for Tampa Bay. Jones, a former Tamu teammate from Wet Miss, was the beneficiary of a rare wrong pass from the Bandits quarterback and almost took him to the last zone, paving the way for Jordan Ellis’ short run to give the Breakers an unbeaten lead. ,

Tamu, QB

Tamu hit 15 of 10 passes for 117 yards and contributed another 41 yards (four attempts) to the ground in the first half alone. He made a number of impressive throws, showing accuracy and arm strength, which helped him to become a star for the Wet Miss in the powerful SEC.

Tamu eventually completed a 22-in-39 pass for 288 yards and tossed a beautiful 31-yard touchdown in a losing attempt. He led all runners with 86 yards in nine attempts.

You started the game, hitting his first five passes and running into the game for several first downs.

On the other hand, the mere completion of the slaughter in the first 30 minutes was an ugly interception created by Butler. Sunday’s slaughter was thrown for just 48 yards and was outside the last area. His backup, Zack Smith, was actually more effective, making 6 of 5 attempts for 51 yards, including hitting Sal Canella with a 21-yard touchdown pass before injuring his left shoulder. QB pair for game 99 yards …

New Orleans ‘three scoring drives, in fact, lasted just six minutes and nine seconds, with Jordan Ellis punching in a three-yard touchdown after Jones’ interception, giving the Breakers a 17-0 lead. ,

Three turnovers and 14 penalties (for 124 yards, compared to six for 63 yards for New Orleans) brought the bandits to their fate – the second week when the two clubs met when the Breakers beat Tampa Bella 34-3.

Butler, L.B.

The Breakers won the game by producing the largest number of plays, but the first game-changer came courtesy of the bandits’ middle linebacker, Butler, who sought an early scoring opportunity with effective interventions for Tamu and Tampa Bay. Mine

After New Orleans widened Johnny Dixon on a shallow cross at Short Beach, Butler was left in coverage. With pressure on his face, Slaughter threw the ball in Dixon’s direction, but the receiver didn’t expect it so quickly and he still hadn’t turned his head towards his quarterback. The ball fell into Butler’s hands and he did not let it slip through his fingers.

The linebacker showed a great deal of awareness about concentration, like football and receivers, to make a bet in the first quarter, which seems to allow the bandits to steal some starting points.

Butler’s interception was one of the best catches of the day. Davis led all receivers with six grabs for 112 yards, the most beautiful game for the club in all games with his over-the-shoulder grabs for a 31-yard touchdown.

Cheyenne O’Grady, TE

The most impressive pass-catcher, however, was Tampa’s O’Grady, who also showed the ability to track the ball over his shoulder and demonstrated both balance and strength through contact to create 46 yards after the catch. Finished with three catches.

Given how defensive the game turned out to be, it was only fair that the breakers won without a single point after halftime. Also, as New Orleans had about two minutes left on the 1-yard line, Adonis Alexander’s interception (his second tamu) breathed his last on Tampa Bay.

It would not be fair to suggest that the competition lacked big plays from “skill positions”, however, only the most influential defenders are emerging. Backed by the excellent performance of their middle linebackers, the defensive line of both clubs created numerous tackles on or behind the scrimmage line and combined for six sacks – some of which were really brutal matches.

One of the most famous names in the industry, Rob Color has been covering the NFL Draft for over 20 years, working at Fox, Sports Illustrated. cbsssports.comUSA Today, Yahoo, nfl.com And NFLdraftScout.comOthers.

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