Preview: Austrian Bowl XXX – Raiffeisen Vienna Vikings vs Swarco Raiders

Keys of the game for Raiders:

• BALL CONTROL OFFENSE – At times the best defense is to keep the opponent’s offense on the sidelines. Raiders won´t score on every drive but they need to have no 3 and outs to keep their defense rested, no turnovers and no drive-killing penalties. Third down conversion is always key in big games, you always find those 3rd & 3, 3rd & 5 or 3rd & 7 that you need to convert to keep a drive alive.
• BEND BUT DON´T BREAK ON DEFENSE – The Vikings are going to gain some yards and score some points. But the Raiders need to limit them to some extent. Great tackling in space to limit big plays. Get a couple of turnovers (fumbles or interceptions) to change the momentum of the game.
• WIN THE FIELD POSITION BATTLE – Raiders need to win the special teams battle and get good field position. They will also need to make a big play in the kicking game (a big return, a block or a turnover).

Keys of the game for Vikings:

• GROSS – The Vikings offense goes as their QB goes. If Gross is on the money, like the last four games, they will score more than 30 points.
• CONTAIN THE QB – Raiders QB Van Den Raadt is their #1 threat. Very dangerous with his improvising skills. Vikings need to stop the run, keep the QB in the pocket and force him to beat them with the pass.
• EXECUTE –  It is not insulting to the Raiders to say that the Vikings have more talent at most positions. If the Vikings don’t shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers and stupid penalties, they will win and might win big.

AUSTRIAN FOOTBALL!

 The AFL is the best league in Europe behind the German Football League. For a very small country, they do a great job to promote the game, their league and their championship game. Almost 4,000 fans came to St. Pölten last year for the same game. It will be actually the 9th matchup in the Austrian Bowl between these two traditional rivals (Vikings lead 5-3). After the great success of the European Championship in Austria last month, and if the weather is not too disagreeable (remember Austrian Bowl 2011?), it should be another great football game on the field and a great event off it.

Pages: 1 2 3