AAF Week Five Preview and Predictions!

THE ALLIANCE OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL

WEEK 5 PREVIEW & PICKS

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Last week I went 2-2 in my picks. Let’s see if I can do a little better this week:

Salt Lake (1-3) at San Diego (2-2)

Head coach Mike Martz was very upbeat in practice this week in regarding his QB situation. This was surprising, given that he had just lost starter Philip Nelson for the season. He has all the confidence in the world in backup Mike Bercovici, who hasn’t seen much action since taking a colossal hit during the season’s inaugural game.

Speaking of quarterbacks, what’s going on in Salt Lake City? The Stallions are averaging just 142 yards per game through the air. Only Memphis has fewer passing yards per game. Salt Lake will need to get something going soon, because opposing defenses are simply going to begin stacking the box against their run game.

The Bottom Line: This is nearly a must win for the Stallions. Dropping to 1-4 in a ten game season really puts them behind the rest of the herd. The only redeeming factor is that the rest of the West hasn’t figured it out yet. San Diego is perhaps the closest to doing that though, especially at home.

Prediction: Fleet 24, Stallions 16

Atlanta (1-3)  at Memphis (1-3)

After three weeks, many people thought this was going to be the week that one of these two franchises would be collecting their first win of the season. Now, it will determine which team begins their first winning streak of the season! What a difference a week makes. Both teams made the tough decision to make a change at QB, with very satisfactory results. This game has a chance to be one of the more exciting games of the weekend.

The Bottom Line: Memphis’ decision to go out and sign a kicker may be the decision we look back on and say. “That’s when their season changed.” They are a dark horse contender now.

Prediction: Express 21, Legends 18

San Antonio (2-2) at Arizona (2-2)

This is a story of two teams going in opposite directions. San Antonio is coming off on an incredible win against the previously undefeated Birmingham Iron in Birmingham. Arizona lost to a winless Legends team on its home field, spoiling a very moving tribute that left the number 19 retired.

The Bottom Line: Quarterback play for both teams has been inconsistent. As with most games, the QB that can be the most efficient will lead his team to victory. Arizona’s offense has been all over the place statistically so far this year, and their defense could not get off the field against Atlanta. San Antonio is trending up, and has a better rushing attack than the Legends do. Logan Woodside has not looked special, but he also didn’t throw any interceptions last week. I like the Commanders to knock off the Hotshots this week.

Prediction: San Antonio 19, Arizona 15

 Orlando (4-0) at Birmingham (3-1)  

The signature matchup of the weekend! It was supposed to be a battle of unbeatens, but San Antonio spoiled the Iron’s fun in Week 4. It’s the Apollos and their unstoppable force of an offense vs. the immovable object that is the Iron defense. The winner of this game takes control of the Eastern Conference at the halfway point.

The Bottom Line: With the weather forecast looking like rain, rain, and more rain, this game will come down to adjustments. Steve Spurrier and the Apollos have proven that they are more than capable of handling the elements. The sun gods prevail.

Prediction: Apollos 15, Iron 11