AAF Power Rankings through 6 Weeks

Photo Courtesy of AAF.com

Things tightened up this week in the AAF. Here are my Power Rankings, based on several factors: PPG, Points Against per game, offensive rushing and passing ranks, defensive rushing and passing ranks, and finally, wins and losses. Turnover margin was not readily available, otherwise I would have included that. All stat rankings were taken from AAF.com

Here we go:

1. Orlando Apollos (5-1)

Points For: 1st
Points Against: 2nd
Rush Offense: 2nd
Rush Defense: 7th
Pass Offense: 1st
Pass Defense: 2nd
Win/Loss:  1st

Even with their first loss, it is easy to see why the Apollos rank first here. They are in the top 2 in nearly every category, including the most important one: wins and losses. The Apollos could clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a win over Atlanta.

2. San Antonio Commanders  (4-2)

Points For: 3rd
Points Against: 3rd
Rush Offense: 3rd
Rush Defense: 3rd
Pass Offense: 7th
Pass Defense: 7th
Win/Loss:  T-2nd

Talk about taking command! San Antonio has surged to the top of the rankings. their rankings are solid all across the board, and they are leading the league in interceptions. The Commanders have a favorable down the stretch, with their opponents having a combined record of 8-15. They should be a lock for the playoffs.

3. Birmingham Iron (4-2)

Points For: 5th
Points Against: 1st
Rush Offense: 8th
Rush Defense: 5th
Pass Offense: 3rd
Pass Defense: 3rd
Win/Loss: T-2nd

After two losses in a row, it seemed like the Iron were going to slip into obscurity. With a resurgent passing game, and match-ups against Memphis and Atlanta in the nest two weeks, the Iron seem poised to grab one of the two playoff spots available.

4. Arizona Hotshots (3-3)

Points For: 4th
Points Against: 6th
Rush Offense: 1st
Rush Defense: 6th
Pass Offense: 5th
Pass Defense: 4th
Win/Loss:  T-4th

If judging on the eye test, Arizona might be ranked higher on this list. The  Hotshots began the season at 2-0, only to lose the next three. Naturally, they would then beat the best team in the league. Arizona is a roller coaster ride of a team. If they take care of the football like they did against Orlando (zero turnovers), then Arizona may just play themselves into the post season. Their schedule is among the most difficult of all the teams in the West, having to play San Diego twice, Birmingham, and San Antonio once each. Winning three of four would almost certainly get them into the playoffs, but that is often easier said than done.

5. San Diego Fleet (3-3)

Points For: 2nd
Points Against: 5th
Rush Offense: 4th
Rush Defense: 2nd
Pass Offense: 4th
Pass Defense: 8th
Win/Loss:  T-4th

San Diego finds itself in a similar situation to the Hotshots, needing to win 3 of 4 to feel secure about a playoff spot. The biggest challenge for the Fleet is that of their remaining four games, three of them are on the road. San Diego has yet to win a  road game this year, so that is a real challenge. Still, destiny is still in their own hands, and that is always a positive at the end of a season.

6. Salt Lake Stallions (2-4)

Points For: 6th
Points Against: 4th
Rush Offense: 5th
Rush Defense: 1st
Pass Offense: 6th
Pass Defense: 6th
Win/Loss:  T-6th

Salt Lake's  run defense and pass rush have been incredible this season. unfortunately, the offense does not always take care of the football. Salt Lake is a dark horse to make the playoffs, but that might be just what the Stallions are counting on. Playing San Antonio twice in the last four games will more than likely determine what happens to Salt Lake.

7. Atlanta Legends (2-4)

Points For: 8th
Points Against: 8th
Rush Offense: 6th
Rush Defense: 4th
Pass Offense: 2nd
Pass Defense: 1st
Win/Loss: T-6th

Atlanta showed some promise, winning back to back games before week 6. The Legends were dismantled on their own field by the Commanders, 37-6. This leaves more questions than answers for Atlanta, who face the Apollos this weekend, a team that defeated them 40-6 in week 1.

8. Memphis Express (1-5)

Points For: 7th
Points Against: 7th
Rush Offense: 7th
Rush Defense: 8th
Pass Offense: 8th
Pass Defense: 5th
Win/Loss: 8th

The injury to Zach Mettenberger prompted Memphis to sign Johnny Manziel over the weekend, although it is quite possible they were going to do that anyway. At 1-5 the Express need answers quickly. The top two teams in the East are beginning to separate themselves from the bottom two. The combined record of Memphis' last four opponents is 15-9. That is the toughest schedule in the last four games of any team in the AAF. Oof.