The Michigan Panthers will host the winless Memphis Showboats on Friday night at Ford Field. The Panthers are on a short week after winning a close game on Sunday by a score of 26-23 at home over the San Antonio Brahmas. The last time Michigan met Memphis, the Panthers emerged victorious 26-12 in Memphis in week 1.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Friday, April 18 / Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Kickoff Time: 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT
Channel: Fox
Odds:
Spread: Michigan -7.5 (-110), Memphis +7.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Michigan -360, Memphis +290
Over/Under: 35.5 (Over -120, Under +100)
Michigan Panthers (2-1):
The Panthers look to defend the den after they came out on top in a game that came down to the final play in last week’s 26-23 victory. Bryce Perkins completed 17 of his 23 passes for 193 yards with 1 interception and added 30 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
Memphis Showboats (0-3):
The Showboats will, for the second time this season, play the Panthers shortly after Ken Whisenhunt stepped down from his position as the team’s head coach. Whisenhunt stepped down from the team prior to playing Michigan in week 1 before returning shortly after and stepping down again yesterday. Last week saw Memphis lost by 1 point to Houston after they failed to score a 2-point conversion after a touchdown, trying to go for the win rather than the safer option of trying to push for overtime by going for 1.
Quarterback E.J. Perry will take on his old team for the 2nd time this season. Perry completed 13 of his 20 passes last week for 21 yards and a touchdown with 2 interceptions against Houston.
Panthers Keys to the Game
Tight Pass Coverage
Michigan’s pass rush has been quite good this season, as expected. Michigan will have a strong defensive game if the secondary can prevent receivers from getting open before the pass rush can get to the Showboats’ quarterback.
Stop the Run
Memphis has struggled on the ground this season, and Michigan will want to see to it that this isn’t the week the Showboats get their run game going.
A Big Game From the Offensive Line
Last week, Memphis had a high frequency of run stops against Houston. Michigan will need its offensive line to dig against its run-stoppers on the defensive line.
No Turnovers
Last week saw San Antonio’s defense score on a pick-six, greatly changing the landscape of the game.
Panthers to Watch
20 RB Jaden Shirden
Last week saw Shirden rush 7 times for 59 yards and a touchdown. A well-timed spin move created separation at the line on his 43-yard touchdown run, making for one of the biggest plays of the game.
4 WR Siaosi Mariner
Mariner is currently 6th in receiving in the league, having caught 11 passes for 133 yards.
17 WR Malik Turner
Turner is currently 10th in the league in receiving with 12 catches for 106 yards.
44 DT Garrett Marino
Marino had a strong game last week, recording 2 tackles, including 1 sack and a shared run stop. By my count, he generated pressure on 6 additional plays.
5 LB Frank Ginda
Ginda led the team in tackles last week with 9 and was in on 6 run stops (2 solo, 4 shared).
1 CB Lavonta Taylor
Taylor had a tough assignment often when he was playing, as he had 4 targets come his way, resulting in 4 catches, which he limited to 21 yards, which were all to the dangerous Jontre Kirklin.
Showboats to Watch
9 WR Jonathan Adams
Adams leads the league in receiving with 20 catches for 263 yards.1 WR Kai Locksley
Locksley will get his 2nd start at a Showboat Friday night. Last week, he had 2 catches for 28 yards.
75 LT James Tunstall
Tunstall rotated in and out last game but was the only offensive lineman in week 3 for Memphis to not allow a pressure past him by my count.
8 Boogie Roberts
Last week, Roberts had 4 tackles and was in on 4 run stops.
50 Izayah Green-May
Last week, Green-May had 4 tackles and was in on 2 run stops.
42 Steele Chambers
Last week, Chambers was the busiest Showboat in coverage as he had the most targets come his way at 5 by my count, which resulted in 2 completions for 11 yards, and he had a pass breakup. He finished the game with 6 tackles, 1 of which was a stop against the pass.
Depth Charts, Injuries, Inactives
Score Prediction:
I predict the Michigan Panthers to win 27-15.
