Photos: Las Vegas Sin (4-0) face defending champs L.A. Temptation

Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Las Vegas Sin vs. Green Bay Chill on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at Orleans Arena. The Sin won, 30-0, and remain undefeated.

By Jim Wallin, LFL360.com

Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 | 3:33 p.m.

Las Vegas Sin vs. Green Bay Chill

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Las Vegas Sin vs. L.A. Temptation at Orleans Arena

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Las Vegas Sin vs. Seattle Mist on Nov. 4, 2011

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The battle lines are drawn, and an explosive matchup awaits fans as the Las Vegas Sin and Los Angeles Temptation clash for the second time in two months at 1 p.m. Sunday at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. (the game airs live on MTV2) for the right to represent the Western Conference in Lingerie Bowl IX on Super Bowl Sunday at the Orleans Arena.

L.A. TEMPTATION

The defending two-time champion L.A. Temptation enter their third consecutive conference finals appearance with designs on avenging a narrow November loss in Las Vegas to the expansion Sin, their first setback in two years. Since November, the Temptation have played well, outlasting an aggressive Seattle Mist team, 27-24, and using a late first-half flurry in establishing second-half dominance to roll past the Chicago Bliss 42-26 to clinch the playoff spot.

Led by longtime veteran Head Coach David Bizub and Defensive Coordinator Tui Suiaunoa, L.A.’s success on offense relies on the golden arm of second-year starter and Lingerie Bowl VIII MVP Ashley Salerno and the dual rushing and receiving threats of RB Melissa Margulies and WR Amber Reed.

The Temptation defense is led by an emerging playmaker in CB Ogom Chijindu, DE Amber Reed, DE Tessa Barrera and LB Monique Gaxiola. Known as “Tui’s Terrible Defense” for their swarming, aggressive nature, this year’s version has struggled to find consistency in stopping opponents’ passing games. In their last contest versus the then-lowest-ranked passing attack in the league, L.A. allowed the Bliss more than double their season average.

Despite that stat, the Temptation rush defense has shined in their latest wins, limiting Seattle All-Fantasy running back Kam Warner and 2011-12 Rookie of the Year candidate Chris Dell “Ferrari” Harris well under their season averages.

LAS VEGAS SIN

In spite of a turbulent training camp that featured major roster turnover and significant coaching changes, the expansion Las Vegas Sin have since enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the Western Conference standings. Sin Head Coach Dion Lee’s team, ranked No. 12 in the LFL Power Rankings heading into their season opener, are now ranked No. 3, and, if his unapologetic prediction comes true, will be ranked No. 1 at the end of the postseason.

The fourth-ranked Sin offense is led by one of the LFL’s most exciting talents, rookie QB Nikki Johnson. Johnson, who leads the league in touchdowns, quarterback efficiency and passing yards, has been vital to the team’s success, and her lack of turnovers has proven key in their four wins.

Outside of quarterback, perhaps Las Vegas’ most important offensive player is TE Sunshine Misa-Uli, who is a key piece to their red zone offense. Also, running back Tracee Thomas is a physical runner with great acceleration, while wide receiver Cassandra Strickland possesses size and skill and has emerged as one of Johnson’s favorite targets.

On defense, DE Sunshine Misa-Uli, DE Danika Brace, LB Carrie Walters and CB Tamica Estrella lead the LFL’s 5th-ranked defense. Last weekend, the Sin dominated a dynamic Green Bay offense and now has allowed only 28 total points (9.3 average) in the first half of their last three games.

2011 REGULAR SEASON MATCHUP

Nov. 11: Mere hours into his tenure, Coach Lee stared into his crystal ball and boldly predicted that his rookie-laden Sin team would make the playoffs and go undefeated en route to winning the Lingerie Bowl. Until recently, few bought into this vision.

However, after a thrilling 28-20 upset win over the two-time defending champion Temptation, the expansion franchise not only finds themselves playoff-bound, making history in the process, but also on the way to fulfilling their coach’s once-maligned prophecy.

COMMON OPPONENTS

Los Angeles and Las Vegas have shared two common opponents this season (Seattle, Chicago) and have emerged from both of their games undefeated. Los Angeles recently defeated the Seattle Mist 27-24 and, last week, used an aerial assault to take down the Chicago Bliss 42-26. Las Vegas started their season with a 32-20 win at Chicago and built a 28-8 lead in Seattle, ultimately hanging on after a second-half surge to outlast the Mist 28-24.

Go, Sin … all the way to Lingerie Bowl IX!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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