The Kristianstad Predators (1-1) will face the Stockholm Mean Machines (2-0) in a highly anticipated week 4 matchup of Sweden’s Super Serien. Both teams are coming off wins in the previous week. The Predators pulled off a comeback victory (21-20) against AIK, while the Mean Machines won their international matchup (42-14) against the Manchester Titans.
BACKGROUND
The Kristianstad Predators took a beating at the hand of the Carlstad Crusaders (42-6) as their “Welcome” into the Super Serien. After a decent start, the Predators were eventually dominated in all aspects of the game. That initial failure did not deter the team from Kristianstad. Against AIK, the Predators found their mojo, and played a great game against a team with similar talent and skill.
Despite being 1-1 on the season, the Predators have still not shown who they are as a team. They are near the bottom of the league in all offensive categories, and middle of the pack defensively. Besides quarterback Myron Norfleet, there doesn’t seem to be anyone standing out as a playmaker for the Predators.
The Stockholm Mean Machines are on a roll. Picking up where they left off last season, they are winning convincingly each week. Averaging 41.5 points through 2 games (41.6 if their international game is included), the Mean Machines boast a very balanced offense centered around running back Kasper Wedberg as the glue to their success. That is not to say that the Mean Machines are reliant on any one player. Quarterback Mateo Rentaria and receiver Matthew Retzlaff are both superstars in their own right. Stockholm’s role players include running back Oliwer Stedt, and receivers Anton Blomgren & Robin Miranda, all of who would be considered all-stars by Super Serien standards. All that firepower has meshed together well for the Mean Machines offense, making them nearly unstoppable.
The Mean Machines defense does not have the same amount of star power as its offense, but does have a similar philosophy of players working together for success. A couple players stand out, like defensive lineman Sebastian Diakiti and linebacker Adam Westin. The rest of the defense is a collection of good players working together to limit their opponents’ offensive execution. Being in the lead helps this group dictate what their opponents are able to do, and they play a very good bend-don’t break type of defense. Don’t let the stats fool you, even though the Stockholm Mean Machines stop the run and give up a lot of passing yards, they do so strategically to their preferred advantages and matchups.
Key Players to Watch
Here are a few key players to keep a look out for heading into this weekend’s matchup.
KRISTIANSTAD PREDATORS
#23 Kevin Döderling do Rosario (Running Back) - 17 att, 54 yds
#24 Rasmus Hansson (Running Back) - 22 att, 72 yds
#1 Myron Norfleet (Quarterback) - 25/51 (49%), 275 yds, 4 tds, 2 int
#2 Jakob Stenberg (Wide Receiver) - 9 rec, 124 yds, 2 tds / 5 kr, 147 yds / 2 pr, 54 yds
STOCKHOLM MEAN MACHINES
#3 Mateo Renteria (Quarterback)- 33/47 (70%), 457 yds, 5 tds, 1 int
#30 Kasper Wedberg (Running Back)- 17 att, 125 yds, 2 tds / 6 rec, 105 yds
#29 Oliwer Sted (Running Back)- 12 att, 82 yds, 2 tds
#8 Matt Retzlaff (Wide Receiver) - 8 rec, 130 yds, 2 tds
#12 Anton Blomgren (Wide Receiver) - 3 rec, 78 yds, 1 tds / 5 pr, 76 yds / 1 kr, 69 yds
#2 Robin Miranda (Wide Receiver) - 5 rec, 56 yds, 2 tds
#5 Eric Bauroth (Linebacker) - 5 tkls, 1 ff, 1 pbu
#21 Adam Westin (Linebacker) - 8.5 tkls, 2.5 tfl, 1 sack
#99 Sebastian Diakiti (Defensive Lineman) - 6.5 tkls, 3 tfl, 2 sacks
#96 Anton Norling (Defensive Lineman) - 5.5 tkls, 4 tfl, 1 sack
Matchup Analysis
There is not a lot of analysis available for this matchup. The Stockholm Mean Machines have a loaded offensive group that will not be denied the end zone. Defensively, the Mean Machines have weaknesses that we have not yet seen exploited. The Predators are in a unique situation to unearth those weaknesses. Kristianstad is second in the league in time of possession (Mean Machines are first), and if they can figure out a way to turn their possessions into scores they can do the unthinkable–Beat the Stockholm Mean Machines. How they can do that is still a mystery. There is no obvious matchup in this game that favors the Predators, but the Mean Machines look primed for another 40-plus points performance.
Who Will Win?
The Stockholm Mean Machines will win this game. Barring an unforeseen natural disaster that prevents their team from competing, the Mean Machines should win this game convincingly. The Kristianstad Predators will compete hard, but a loss to the best team in the country will not deter them from trying to get better this week.
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