AAF Week 3 Preview: Saturday Games

Week 2 of the AAF separated the contenders and the pretenders. Three teams remain undefeated while three others have yet to find the win column. There definitely seems to be a hierarchy developing in the standings and that could grow even further in Week 3. Matchups are repeating for the first time as two of the games this week are replays of Week 1 games. The first of those matchups will come on Saturday afternoon while the other game Saturday has a chance to be a blowout.

Arizona Hotshots (2-0) at Salt Lake Stallions (0-2)

In Week 1, the Hotshots handled the Stallions in a 38-22 win at home. Salt Lake then went on to lose to Birmingham at home by a slim margin. Of the 0-2 teams, the Stallions look like the team who has just faced rough matchups. Both teams they have played have yet to lose a game and that streak continues in Week 3. Arizona looks like one of the best teams in the league with John Wolford leading the offense. He has found receivers Josh Huff and Rashad Ross deep down the field constantly and they have put up 58 points in the first two games. That’s good enough for second in the league, only behind Orlando.

The offense won’t slow down this week. They put up 38 points the last time against the Stallions, and even though it’s hard to beat a team twice in a year, the Hotshots are the better team. Salt Lake may not deserve to not have a win after three weeks, but they’ve faced two good teams in three weeks. Their schedule will get easier, but it won’t happen this week as they fall to 0-3.

Prediction: Hotshots 35 Stallions 24

Memphis Express (0-2) at Orlando Apollos (2-0)

I’ve tried to believe in the Express and Christian Hackenberg for the past two weeks, but I’ve given up. They have been terrible throughout the first two weeks and now, they play possibly the best team in the league on the road. Hackenberg has yet to throw a touchdown in the AAF, despite being the starter for both weeks. The Express should consider a change at quarterback, but it probably won’t matter anyway this week with Orlando on the schedule. Orlando leads the league in offense and has dominated in both of their wins. Garrett Gilbert has over 500 yards and four touchdowns in the first two games and has yet to throw an interception. He should continue to succeed against a week Express team.

I’ve wanted Mike Singletary to succeed with Zac Stacy and Hackenberg leading his offense, but it isn’t going to happen. I thought the Express could be one of the best teams in the league, but it is clear now they stand at the bottom of the league. Orlando looks like they will be the favorite to win the championship with Steve Spurrier at the helm and they will handle the Express on Saturday night.

Prediction: Apollos 38 Express 12