The playoff race is heating up in the AAF with just three weeks to go in the inaugural season. The East seems to have the top two teams decided, but a late run could shake things up. Then, in the West, everything is much tighter. The top three teams are all within two games of each other and anyone could claim those two playoff spots. Week 8 will be crucial for teams trying to solidify their status as a contender and those trying to fight back into the race. This week could set up the playoff race to be spectacular in the last two weeks as the AAF continues to grow.
Atlanta Legends (2-5) at Birmingham Iron (4-3)
Birmingham beat Atlanta pretty handily in their first meeting in Georgia. However, the Legends have shown they’re no longer the pushovers of the league. They have two wins and can step back into the playoff race with a win this week. They’ve lost their last two games by a total of 61 points and will be looking to bounce back. If Atlanta pulls off the upset on the road, they would be just one game back of a playoff spot and the Iron have to face Arizona and Orlando in the last two weeks of the season. It would certainly make things more interesting. The Iron haven’t been great at home with two of their three losses coming in Birmingham and they just lost to the 1-win Express last week.
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This game will be more interesting than people think and I believe Atlanta will pull it off. The East seemed to be decided early in the season, but it’s not over yet. Birmingham plays two of the hottest teams in the league over the next two weeks while Atlanta plays the worst two teams in the AAF. This East playoff race will heat up after the Legends upset the Iron in Birmingham.
Prediction: Legends 24 Iron 18
Arizona Hotshots (4-3) at San Antonio Commanders (5-2)
The AAF saved the best game in Week 8 for last. The Hotshots enter the game having won two straight and find themselves in a playoff spot with three games to go. They also are the only team to beat Orlando this year. The Commanders have won four straight and now hold the second-best record in the AAF. This matchup is must-see TV as Arizona and San Antonio battle for the lead in the West.
Arizona lost three straight after winning their first two, and now finds themselves back above .500. It’s hard to predict what the Hotshots will be from week to week, but I believe they are going to pull off an upset on the road. San Antonio’s run has to end at some point and I believe the Hotshots are the team to do it. The Commanders may still win the West with an easier schedule over the next two weeks, but the Hotshots will take the win in Week 8.
Prediction: Hotshots 27 Commanders 22
