Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Detroit's Dark Knight: The Des Moines Dragons Reborn

revrew · 07-17-2019, 01:28 PM

Dragon season comes down to the wire
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Will the Des Moines Dragons be in the playoffs, or on the outside looking in – the answer will be decided this weekend in Minneapolis.

Both the Dragons and the Minnesota Vikings sit at a pedestrian 7-8 record, but one will finish 8-8 and win the NFC North.

In some respects, the Dragons could be considered the favorite. The Iowa boys boast the #1 defense in the NFL in terms of yards against and #3 defense in points allowed.

For star power, the Dragons feature a pair of 1,000-yard receivers, a defensive end with 13.5 sacks, and a quarterback who has thrown for over 4,000 yards.

But the team is #29 in rushing yards per carry and 20th in yards per catch, seemingly unable to score the big plays that make good teams great.

Minnesota, on the flip side, is ranked #2 in yards per catch, have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers of their own, and average better than 4.5 yards per carry – a team that lives and dies on the big play.

On the defensive side, the Vikings clamp down on opposing running backs, but have given up huge chunks in the air. The team ranks #31 in passing yards allowed and #32 in 3rd-down defense.

This has been an up-and-down season for the Dragons, but it all comes down to one game. Win and they're in. Lose, and we look for better results next year.

07-17-2019, 01:28 PM	#224
revrew Team Chaplain Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Just outside Des Moines, IA	Dragon season comes down to the wire Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register Will the Des Moines Dragons be in the playoffs, or on the outside looking in – the answer will be decided this weekend in Minneapolis. Both the Dragons and the Minnesota Vikings sit at a pedestrian 7-8 record, but one will finish 8-8 and win the NFC North. In some respects, the Dragons could be considered the favorite. The Iowa boys boast the #1 defense in the NFL in terms of yards against and #3 defense in points allowed. For star power, the Dragons feature a pair of 1,000-yard receivers, a defensive end with 13.5 sacks, and a quarterback who has thrown for over 4,000 yards. But the team is #29 in rushing yards per carry and 20th in yards per catch, seemingly unable to score the big plays that make good teams great. Minnesota, on the flip side, is ranked #2 in yards per catch, have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers of their own, and average better than 4.5 yards per carry – a team that lives and dies on the big play. On the defensive side, the Vikings clamp down on opposing running backs, but have given up huge chunks in the air. The team ranks #31 in passing yards allowed and #32 in 3rd-down defense. This has been an up-and-down season for the Dragons, but it all comes down to one game. Win and they're in. Lose, and we look for better results next year. __________________ Winner of 6 FOFC Scribe Awards, including 3 Gold Scribes Founder of the ZFL, 2004 Golden Scribe Dynasty of the Year Now bringing The Des Moines Dragons back to life, and the joke's on YOU, NFL! I came to the Crossroad. I took it. And that has made all the difference.