By: Jim Wallin (LFL360.com)

The calendar may say December, but the playoffs might as well begin tonight as the Seattle Mist (1-1) battle the Los Angeles Temptation (1-1) with mere survival foremost in mind. A win for either of theseteams vaults them into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference while a loss very likely proves fatal, dropping the unfortunate team below .500 and potentially as low as 5th place with one game
remaining.

SEATTLE MIST

Seattle Mist Head Coach Chris Michaelson and his veteran-laden roster entered the 2011 season
attempting to rebound after an extremely disappointing 2010 campaign, in which the franchise
underperformed and missed the playoffs. And, after a huge season opening win against the Green Bay
Chill and with home dates with two expansion teams, Las Vegas and Green Bay, on the horizon, there was
reason for wild optimism in the Pacific Northwest.

However, after a shocking 28-20 loss to Las Vegas where the Mist played a sloppy first half and looked
lethargic until their mortality was realized, the Mist now must turn to veteran leadership and experience
to pull out a surprising win of their own against the defending champions.
Seattle employs a dynamic west-coast offense, possessing balance as 2011-12 MVP candidate Kam Warner
joins All-Fantasy wide receiver Jessica Hopkins and stand-out rookie wide receiver Ericka Smith to form a
high-grade options for quarterbacks Angela Rypien and Laurel Creel.

The Seattle defense, also anchored by Warner at linebacker and Hopkins in the secondary, still have
something to prove, as the Las Vegas offense exposed their rush defense during a first-half assault but
who their passing attack could not solve in the second half, scoring no points.

LOS ANGELES TEMPTATION

The Los Angeles Temptation enters the action tonight trying to silence critics who believe that their championship run may be over. After a vanilla 28-7 opening road win at the expansion Minnesota Valkyrie, the Temptation played a competitive follow-up contest at Las Vegas, only to fall to the Sin in the second-half. Star quarterback Ashley Salerno was largely ineffective in the contest and, in fact, one of the
only bright spots was the play of running back Amber Reed, who accounted for all of L.A.’s scoring plays.

With a ticket to the second-season now in doubt, Los Angeles has turned to veteran head coach David
Bizub, as the most decorated head coach in LFL history returns from the broadcast booth to the sidelines
to guide the veteran-savvy team to the promised land once again.

On offense, Salerno and Reed are joined by wide receiver Melissa Margulies and Gegi Van De Walker to
form a very talented core. Add rookie wide-receiver Chloe Butler and free agent signee Audrey Latsko to
the equation and the formula should equal a high-powered scoring machine.
Defensively, the return of linebacker Monique Gaxiola, signing of Latsko and emergence of cornerback
Ogom Chijindu as an impact player gives defensive coordinator Tui Suiaunoa options as to how to attack
opposing offenses. Though the numbers may appear unimpressive (17.5 ppg. allowed), the talent is there
to lead the Temptation back to the Lingerie Bowl.
VITALS
ARENA: Citizens Business Bank Arena (Ontario, CA – Indoors – Artificial Turf)
KICKOFF: 9:00 p.m. PT
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
SEATTLE: KAM WARNER (RB/LB) | JESSICA HOPKINS (WR/S) | ERICKA SMITH (WR/CB)
LOS ANGELES: ASHLEY SALERNO (QB) | AMBER REED (RB) | MELISSA MARGULIES (WR)
HISTORY: LOS ANGELES DEF. SEATTLE 26-20 (2009), LOS ANGELES DEF. SEATTLE 36-32 (2010)
BETTING LINE: TO BE ANNOUNCED