#teamruff

This weekends full line up can be found here: http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/puppy-bowl/photos/puppy-bowl-xiii-starting-lineup/

After a season of unbelievable plays, joyous victories, and heartbreaking losses, it all comes down to this. In 2017 America, it’s, perhaps, a Bowl game that could unite the Country in a manner a President never could. As millions of US and, indeed, worldwide fans tune in this Sunday, there is a belief that this game has possibly never held a greater importance than it does this year.

Puppy Bowl XIII, once again, pits Team Ruff vs Team Fluff in a winner take all battle to determine the greatest puppies on American soil. These sides have contest the past two Puppy Bowl events, with Team Ruff coming out on top, comfortably, on both occasions. Scores of 73-45 and 70-44 show a clear disconnect in the talent levels between the two sides.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Changes made prior to the start of the season by Team Fluff have yielded positive results, however. Moving on from longtime Head Coach, Lassie, in favour of that dog from Air Bud, Buddy, have given a shot in the arm to the two time runners up. That’s not to understate the impressive level that rookie Paw-terBack, Alexander Hamilpup, has played at this season. Pomskies tend to struggle to adapt to the speed of the professional game, however Hamilpup has proven himself to be more than capable making the step up. Fluff will rely on his youthful vigour, as well as his almost telepathic connection with Wide Retriever, Blitz, to help balance this historic rivalry.

Alexander Hamilpup has played at an exceedingly high level this season (Photo Courtesy of animalplanet.com)

DEFENSIVELY STOUT

The improvement of their defensive unit, however, has been noticeable as the season has progressed. Middle Leash-backer, Precious, has managed to carve a niche in blitz packages, as well in the base set. Her upper-tier speed from sideline to sideline forces teams to run straight up the middle, which has played into the hands of Fluff nicely.

Additionally, undersized safety, Wilma, former runt of the litter turned defensive superstar, has truly come into her own in Buddy’s cover-three system. With playmakers all over the field, Team Fluff have every reason to feel confident as they get pup close and personal with the reigning Puppy Bowl champions.

Wilma has shown that size doesn’t matter when it comes to playing safety (Photo Courtesy of animalplanet.com)

A DYNASTY AWAITS

Looking to add a third Puppy Bowl collar to his burgeoning collection, Head Coach Bill Bark-ichick has steered Team Ruff to another successful season. Despite the offensive prowess on show from Team Fluff this season, it has to be said, defensively, the play from Ruff has been at an elite level. Chew-erBack duo Puddles and Striker have covered Wide Retrievers at such a high level that teams have often been forced to abandon the air game, and adopt a more ground based approach. Despite leading the league in fetching this season, Fluff will have to established a running game early to keep the chains moving.

Offensively, Ruff have managed to open teams up. Under centre, Beebop played the Paw-terBack position as well as anyone, often elevating the level of play of her receiving options. And on the ground, Smooshie, a Shar Pei, picks up the tough yards to make this unit as efficient has Team Ruff have historically been.

Smooshie will look to continue to succeed on the ground (Photo Courtesy of animalplanet.com)

What they lack, however, is a truly great Wide Retriever. Woody and Sully have enough ability to cause anyone problems, but the loss of Bonio-chocinco late in the season leaves Ruff without a true game-breaker.

HALF TIME FESTIVITIES

Almost as big as the game itself is the half-time show, and this season is no different. Kittens will take to the field this season, and inspect a myriad of scratching posts, laser pointers, and the traditional balls of yarn. There are some concerns among fans that cat-nip abuse is rife among the kittens involved in this seasons halftime show. However Meow-ncé assured us at her press conference this week that she hasn’t touched the substance in months, and her entourage has been instructed to stay away from it also.

One of Cat-Kind’s biggest solo artists, Meow-ncé, will help provide entertainment at half time (Photo Courtesy of dreamatico.com)

PREDICTION

It’s all going to come down to who can look after the ball, however. Both sides are well coached enough that it may well turn into something of a Fetch-fest, despite the pedigree being shown by Team Ruff’s defense this season. That sort of game will favour Fluff over Ruff. With that being said, however, you have to take into account Bark-ichick has been given two week to prepare, so expect Ruff to have a solid game plan to take away the threats Fluff hold on offense. And with his experience, and the relative inexperience of this young Fluff team, I feel Ruff may well add a third title to their name. They are good dogs, though, and the future is very bright for Team Fluff.