In Week 9, The New Orleans Breakers (6-3) beat the Tampa Bay Bandits (4-5) with a final score of 17-6.

Both teams were off to a slow start, with neither team scoring in the 1st quarter. However, the Breakers turned things on in the 2nd quarter, scoring 17 unanswered points before halftime. Unfortunately, those would be New Orleans’ only points of the game.

Tampa Bay had a rough game, turning the ball over 4 times, and getting held out of the endzone throughout the game. Their only points of the game came on a 4th quarter touchdown from wide receiver Rashard Davis on a 31-yard play.

With the Breakers officially in the playoffs and a week left in the regular season, it will be interesting to see how Larry Fedora handles Week 10. New Orleans has looked rather sloppy recently and could continue to clean things up. However, with a banged-up team this late in the season, it might be wise to keep your best players limited before the playoffs.

New Orleans Breakers

Kyle Sloter got the start for New Orleans, but backup Zach Smith would also see a bit of playing time. Sloter finished the game completing 7/14 passes (50% comp) for only 48 yards and an interception, while Smith completed 5/6 passes (83.3% comp) for 51 yards and 1 touchdown, also running 4 times for 25 yards.

Leading the ground attack was running back Anthony Jones, who totaled 11 carries for 59 yards. However, Jordan Ellis would take a chunk of the workload as well, totaling 14 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Sal Canella led New Orleans’ air attack, totaling 3 receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Breakers played a great game, keeping the Bandits out of the endzone until the 4th quarter. They’d total 3 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 9 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Top players on the Breakers’ defense include safety Greg Eisworth II, linebacker Jerod Fernandez, and defensive end Nigel Chavis.

Tampa Bay Bandits

Jordan Ta’amu got the start for Tampa Bay and had a rough day, being held out of the endzone until late in the 4th quarter. Ta’amu ended the game completing 22/39 passes (56.4% comp) for 288 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, and also rushing 9 times for 86 yards.

The Bandits rushing attack struggled outside of Ta’amu, with Juwan Washington taking only 2 carries for 9 yards, also grabbing 1 pass for 7 yards. Leading the Bandits’ air attack was wide receiver Rashard Davis, who totaled 6 catches for 112 yards and 1 touchdown.

Tampa Bay played a solid game defensively despite the loss, totaling 3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 4 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. In Week 9, Top players on the Bandits’ defense include linebacker Anthony Butler, cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr, and safety Antonio Reed.

Box Score

New Orleans Breakers

Tampa Bay Bandits

Next Opponents

The New Orleans Breakers will face the Houston Gamblers on Sunday, June 19th, at 5:30 pm PT on FS1.

The Tampa Bay Bandits will take on the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, June 18th, at 1:00 pm PT on FOX.