The Louisville Kings are a much better team than their 0-3 record indicates. Despite a statistically superior performance on both sides of the ball against the Orlando Storm, the Kings lost 29-27 in overtime last week.
Preview Louisville Kings v Houston Gamblers
Now, the Kings have a chance to post their first victory of the season when they take on the 1-2 Houston Gamblers. Like the Kings, the Gamblers are looking for a rebound game this week. After an impressive 22-20 victory over the Birmingham Stallions two weeks ago, the Gamblers suffered a 45-7 pounding from the D.C. Defenders in Week 3. Find out now, the two teams stack up against each other.
The Louisville Offense
After a slow start to the season last week, the Louisville offense put it all together in the second half. Quarterback Jason Bean had the offense humming, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers, including two touchdowns to TE Zach Davidson and one to WR Lucky Jackson. Isaiah Winstead hauled in 7 receptions for 114 yards.
Louisville matched the Storm score for score and outperformed Orlando in almost every offensive category. The Kings posted more total yards, more passing yards, and first downs, with a comparable time of possession.
Bean played an outstanding game, completing 23 of 46 passes for 352 yards with three touchdowns. Louisville’s ground game, powered by Benny Snell with 12 carries for 50 yards, kept pace with All-UFL Team powerhouse Jashaun Corbin, who had 19 carries for 51 yards.
The Houston Offense
Two weeks ago, in the upset victory over the Stallions, Houston quarterback Nolan Henderson earned Offensive Player of the Week honors, leading his team to an impressive upset victory over the Birmingham Stallions. Coming in off the bench to relieve an injured Hunter Dekkers, Henderson finished with 186 passing yards, a 90.1 quarterback rating, and 23 rushing yards.
However, Henderson is healing from a dislocated finger while Dekkers is dealing with a shoulder injury. With Dekkers not practicing earlier this week and Henderson listed on the injury report as limited, quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa could be the starter.
Tagovailoa, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua, got his first start in Week 3 against the Defenders. It proved to be a "trial by fire" for the young Arena football star. In the blistering 45-7 loss, Tagovailoa completed nine of 18 passes for 66 yards and had an interception returned 70 yards for a touchdown by the Defenders' cornerback Gareon Conley. He finished the game, completing 21 of 40 for 171 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He added another 23 yards on four carries.
The Gamblers' receiving room is stacked with talented UFL veterans, including Justin Hall, Jontre Kirklin, and Armani Rogers. Running back Jalen White is another offensive weapon. This season, Hall has 16 receptions for 154 yards with one touchdown. Kirklin, the former San Antonio Brahmas standout, has 12 catches for 164 yards. Rogers has three receptions for 44 yards.
The Louisville Defense
Jamie Sharper's defense is proving to be one of the league's best. Louisville OLB Cam Gill and Jaylon Allen are the sack leaders for the Kings. Week after week, standout performances from Keaton Ellis, Jaheim Thomas, cornerbacks Cam Dantzler, and Eric Garror have kept the Kings in the game against the UFL's top teams.
Two weeks ago. Louisville’s Deantre Prince snagged a stunning endzone interception and ran it back 47 yards.
The Houston Defense
Former Defenders LB Anthony Hines III leads the Gamblers' defense with 16 tackles (13 solo). EDGE Malik Fisher is another former D.C. talent. He’s the team sack leader with 3.0 sacks, 11 tackles (8 solo), and one PBU. Fisher is joined on the EDGE by Kenny Dyson, Jr., a UFL newcomer. Dyson was credited with half a sack and 12 tackles (6 solo).
Veteran Gamblers' LB Marvin Moody Jr. has an interception along with 14 tackles (8 solo). Former Renegades CB Carlton Johnson also has an interception for Houston, along with 13 tackles (9 solo) and a PBU.
Houston has a talented defense, but as the Defenders discovered last week, the coverage can break down.
Special Teams
Place kicker Tanner Brown has been terrific for the Louisville Kings this season, converting 7 of 7 field goals with a longest of 51-yards. John Hoyland, the Gambler's kicker, has been almost as effective for Houston, converting 6 of 6 field goals with a 50-yarder to his credit.
Injury Report And Latest Transactions
Jaden Shirden has handled the kick return duties for the Kings. However, both Shirden and running back Ian Wheeler were injured a week ago. Shirden hurt his ankle, and Wheeler suffered a concussion. A late arrival to the Kings' training camp, James Robinson, a former NFL rookie sensation, was brought back to the team this week in the wake of injuries to Shirden and Wheeler.
If Shirden is unable to play, kick return duties could be handled by wide receiver Lucky Jackson or possibly Snell.
Game Date and Time
The action kicks off Thursday night, April 16th, at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, TX. The game will be televised on the NFL Network at 8:00 pm ET.
Louisville is favored by 2.5 points, with the over/under set at 45.5 points.