LIVESTREAM: Brazilian Bowl – Joao Pessoa Espectros v. Timbo Rex. Sat. Dec. 14, 3p (1p ET, 7p CET)

AFI | American Football | 12/14/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The Joao Pessoa Espectros will square off against Timbo Rex in the Brazilian Bowl, Saturday, December 14 in Timbo.

This will be a battle of the last two winners of the Brazilian title before the Bela Horizonte Galo took back to back crowns in 2017 and 2018. Timbo Rex won the Brazilian championship in 2016 while the Espectros were crowned champions in 2015.

Joao Pessoa reached the final last year only to be beaten by the Galo.

This is a historic final as these two teams have never faced each other before on the national stage.

Timbo Rex lost the opening game of the season to the Gaspar Black Hawks 10-6, but since then have downed every opponent including Tubarões do Cerrado in the semifinals. Similarly, the Espectros lost a single game during the regular season as the Recife Mariners defeated them 35-19. They avenged that loss in the wild card playoffs, defeating Recife 20-7. Joao Pessoa then shocked Brazil by beating the Galo in the semis.

The Espectros have a familiar name at quarterback as veteran Alex Niznak (formerly of the Recife Mariners with stints in Sweden and Japan as well) is behind center. Helping on both offense and defense is the versatile and talented Carlos Cox, now in his fourth year with the team and hungry for his first title.

Joao Pessoa has been averaging 51 points a game. Meanwhile, the T-Rex defense has given up a mere 11.3 points a game in nine games.

For the T-Rex, the key is quarterback Luiz Carlos Bassani. His main target is wide receiver Guilherme Meurer while running back Clair José leads a solid ground game.