AAF Week 2 Preview: Sunday Games

Saturday in the AAF features games between a team with a win and a team with a loss. However, Sunday of Week 2 will show off two teams with wins battling to stay undefeated and two teams looking to avoid 0-2. In a season with only ten games, losing the first two games will put a team in a large hole to open up the year. On the other hand, winning the first two games can put a team in a great position to lock up one of the four playoff spots. On Sunday, each of those realities will be faced, as well as two teams sitting comfortably at 1-1.

Orlando Apollos (1-0) at San Antonio Commanders (1-0)

Steve Spurrier showed that he can still get it done on the sideline last Saturday night. He and the Apollos ran it up on the Atlanta Legends in a 40-6 blowout. Garrett Gilbert looked fantastic throwing the ball for Orlando as he threw for over 225 yards and had two touchdowns. He also had an impressive duo of running backs behind him. Akeem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson both averaged seven yards or more on the ground for Orlando. The Apollos’ offense looked scary on Saturday night.

The other game last Saturday wasn’t quite as high scoring. The Commanders snuck by the Fleet as Kenneth Farrow scored the only touchdown of the game. The bright spot for San Antonio’s offense was the connection between Logan Woodside and Mekale McKay at wide receiver. McKay made a few fantastic catches on Saturday, but he could never finish it off in the end zone. The Commanders have the advantage of being able to play at home in back-to-back weeks, but Orlando looks ready to steamroll this league. Spurrier will lead the Apollos to a 2-0 start on Sunday afternoon with another great offensive performance.

Prediction: Apollos 34 Commanders 22

Atlanta Legends (0-1) at San Diego Fleet (0-1)

Both of these teams have yet to score a touchdown in the AAF after one week. Two field goals each is the only scoring for Atlanta and San Diego. This isn’t too surprising for either team. San Diego expected to have Josh Johnson as their starting quarterback, but after he decided to stay with the Washington Redskins, Mike Bercovici had to step in. For Atlanta, their expected head coach, Brad Childress, stepped down and their expected offensive coordinator, Michael Vick, had to leave the team. This left Kevin Coyle in charge with no great offensive mind to help him.

The advantage that San Diego has is their head coach, Mike Martz. He can develop quarterbacks and Bercovici should take a step forward in Week 2. Atlanta looks like they are going to be in a tough spot coaching-wise for the rest of the season and the Legends don’t have the talent to make up for it. San Diego should be able to figure it out on Sunday night and find their way to their first win. Especially while they are playing their first game back in San Diego, where the fans miss their football.

Prediction: Fleet 26 Legends 16