Returning from the break last week in Connecticut, we got some incredible lacrosse games in Week 7 of the PLL and I went 4-4 to lose 2.26 units. This week the league goes way down to Dallas, Texas.
Archers vs. Atlas (7/30 2:00)
The two most electric offenses in the PLL face off once again in a rematch of their Week 4 matchup where the Atlas beat out the Archers 10-9, with both offenses slowing down quite a bit and Trevor Baptiste getting possessions, going 83% at the face off stripe was the edge the Atlas needed for the win. Both coming into today’s game at 4-2, the winner of this game will clinch their spot in the playoffs. The Archers come into today’s game off a huge second half last week to beat the Cannons 17-12, a triple winner for me. They lead the league in scoring, averaging 13.8 scores per game while allowing an average of 10.5 scores per game. Attackman Will Manny leads the PLL in points and assists with 15 goals and 13 assists and last week they got back Grant Ament to add to their ridiculously deep offense. The Atlas come off a disappointing 16-15 loss to the Redwoods last week coming out of the break. They have the second highest scoring offense in the league, just behind the Archers, scoring an average of 13.5 scores per game. Jeff Teat leads the league in goals, with 16 (tied with Lyle Thompson). Defensively, the Atlas have allowed an average of 11.5 scores per game. Even though their last game went under, I’m going right back to the over here which I’ll take for a unit. I’d slightly lean the Atlas with just the factor of winning face offs and controlling possessions of the game, but not enough to bet on it with the depth of the Archers offense.
Chrome vs. Whipsnakes (7/30 4:30)
These are two of the best teams in the league this season, one expect, one surprising. The Whipsnakes are in first place with a 5-1 record. Their offense hasn’t produced a whole lot, averaging 11.5 scores per game but they have the best defense in the PLL, allowing just 10.3 scores per game. The Chrome are 4-2, coming off a close 11-10 to that they honestly should have won with how shorthanded the Waterdogs were. Their young, new look offense has been great this year, averaging 12.5 scores per game and they’ve allowed an average of 10.5 scores per game. I’d give the Whips the edge in this game and will take them for half a unit.
Waterdogs vs. Cannons (7/31 1:00)
Despite plenty of injuries, the Waterdogs held on last week for a 11-10, a huge team win for the Dogs that ended the game very shorthanded with guys playing all different positions with a decimated midfield. That was their third straight win in a row to get to 3-3 on the season. The Waterdogs have been pretty well rounded since getting back Dillon Ward between the pipes. They’ve scored an average of 12.5 scores per game and have allowed an average of 12.3 scores per game. Lyle Thompson is the best lacrosse player in the world and leads the PLL in scoring (tied with Jeff Teat) with 16 goals. But he can’t do it all on his own and his Cannons are tied for last place with the Chaos with a 1-5 record. The Cannons have scored an average of just 11.2 scores per game and they’ve been horrendous defensively, allowing an average of 14.7 scores per game, the most in the league. They beat the Waterdogs 16-10 on opening weekend and haven’t won since. This team is in disarray. I like the Waterdogs to get their revenge for that Week 1 loss with a big win this week and will take the ML for a unit. I’d lean the over as well, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Redwoods vs. Chaos (7/31 3:00)
Both of these teams have been boring to watch, tied with the lowest scoring offense in the PLL, averaging just 10.2 scores per game. Last week coming out of the break the Redwoods pulled off a hell of an upset, beating the Atlas 16-15 to move to 2-4, a game ahead of both the Chaos and Cannons, a big win to help their playoff chances. The Woods haven’t been great this season and they’ve allowed an average of 12.2 scores per game. The Chaos have fallen from grace, going from last season’s champions to being tied for last place in the league with the Cannons with just a 1-5 record. Along with their offense not producing, they’ve allowed an average of 13.3 scores per game that even last year’s goalie of the year Blaze Riorden hasn’t been able to fix. These teams played each other in Week 3 this season with the Redwoods getting an 11-7 win. I’d give a slight lean this weekend to the defending champs looking to not miss the playoffs and actually get a chance to defend their title, but with the way the Chaos have played, I have no interest in betting a side on this game. I will take the under for a half a unit though, expecting neither team to generate much scoring.
Bets
1u Archers/Atlas over 25.5 (-113)
.5u Whipsnakes ML (-122)
1u Waterdogs ML (-167)
.5u Waterdogs/Cannons over 24.5 (-121)
.5u Redwoods/Chaos under 23.5 (-113)
Record: 17–16 (-6.54)
Please follow me:
Instagram: @atownszone
Twitter: @atownszone
TikTok: @atownszone
If you like the site and my work, share it with your friends!
A Town's Zone 