Two of the Elite, Open LFL USA’s 6th Season on Saturday Night (Official Game Preview)

(LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015)

While the Western Conference has dominated for years, the talk in 2015 is around the Eastern Conference and specifically the Chicago Bliss and Atlanta Steam. Two franchises that have developed a blood-bath, drag to the ground by the hair, spit in your face rivalry in a short period of time. Atlanta was one blown call away from potentially beating Chicago in the 2014 Legends Cup and that has been the fuel that has ignited a passion to beat Chicago.

The game will be broadcast a week later in primetime on national television via Fuse (check local listings), Saturday, April 18, 9p / 8c.

Las Vegas Betting Line

Atlanta – 3.5 points | 46 Over / Under

Chicago Bliss

Back-to-Back champion Chicago Bliss return their entire roster of veterans for a run at the LFL’s 2nd Dynasty. This loaded roster boasted the No.1 offense leading the league with a staggering 152 yards per game average on the ground, while its defense was ranked #4. Scouting Chicago is very fairly simple, stopping it, is extremely difficult. Off-season reports of 5 year veteran Heather Furr throwing better than ever, serves notice that this may no longer be a one-trick pony with a limited playbook centered around ChrisDell ‘Ferrari’ Harris.

Despite missing their All-Fantasy center Hallie Jiskra for Saturday night’s opener, the frontline offensively is the best in the game with Nneka Nwani and a vastly improved Deeana Fagiano. On defense, returning are a pair of All-Fantasy defensive ends in Yashi Rice and Chantell Taylor, the best tandem in the league. Heather ‘Rockstar’ Furr, Alli Alberts, Kim Perez, and Domonique Collins make for a solid secondary, however it was exposed in the Legends Cup by Atlanta’s deep ball.

Atlanta Steam

Atlanta was one poor referee call away from potentially upsetting Chicago in the 2014 Legends Cup when a ball deflected off Coco Montgomery’s foot and landed in the arms of Nas Johnson who took it the house, only to be called back, claiming the ball hit the ground which replays showed it clearly did not. That was the difference in the game as Chicago won 24-18. The devastating loss and that particular call has really motivated what was already the most regimented franchise in the LFL. Couple their off-season preparation with the best free-agent pick-ups in All-Fantasy safeties Adrian Purnell and Lauren Ziegler as well as potential All-Fantasy center Dina Wojowski, you now have a championship type roster.

Offensively, Dakota Hughes struggled early in the Legends Cup vs Chicago, she will need a hot-start and not count on a miracle comeback, for Atlanta to have any chance. The sleeper could be Nas Johnson who has the speed to get to the outside but lacks the mental toughness to move the sticks consistently. Coco Montgomery has the physical tools be the best tight end in the LFL but will drop passes. Look for Purnell to potential be a target for Hughes at tight end.

Defensively, the addition of a leader and catalyst like Purnell will greatly improve this No.5 ranked 2014 defense. Not to mention Ziegler at free safety who now completes the best tandem of safeties. The weakness has been Leanne Hardin at middle linebacker, Hardin simply lacks the fire and intensity needed to effectively play the position. Keyon Harrison is one of the best against run and one of the worst against the pass.

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