AAF Week 3 Odds & Picks: Apollos On A Mission, Laying 15 Points
- Home teams continue to carry the day in the AAF, going 6-2 SU and ATS through two weeks
- Orlando Apollos and Arizona Hotshots are the only teams to win on the road
- Orlando has scored an AAF-best 77 points through in two games
The NFL, NCAA, USFL, and now the AAF. No matter the league, there’s just one thing coach Steve Spurrier does. He wins.
"We're never out of it!"
Steve Spurrier and the @aafAPOLLOS came back from a 12-point deficit to improve to 2-0 in @TheAAF. pic.twitter.com/Fc3VPo6Pi4
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) February 17, 2019
Spurrier guided the Tampa Bay Bandits to a pair of USFL playoff berths. In college football, he took the Duke Blue Devils to an ACC title and the Florida Gators to a national title. As an NFL player, he was part of three postseason appearances with the San Francisco 49ers.
As other AAF teams struggle to move the ball, Spurrier’s Orlando Apollos are over the moon when it comes to creating offense. Not only are they 2-0, the Apollos have put up 77 points in those two victories, outscoring the San Antonio Commanders 37-29 in Week 2 in what is the highest-scoring game in league history.
Let’s look at this week’s matchups, based on odds:
Arizona Hotshots vs Salt Lake Stallions
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Hotshots | -205 | -4.5 (-115) | O 44 (-115) |
| Salt Lake Stallions | +155 | +4.5 (-115) | U 44 (-115) |
*All odds taken 2/21
Kickoff: Sat, Feb 23 at 3pm EST
We have our first rematch of the AAF season, and that also means we have our first chance to check out some tendencies.
At Tempe in Week 1, the Hotshots QB John Wolford threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns. He broke open a tight 21-16 game with a pair of third-quarter TDs, en route to a 38-22 verdict over the Stallions.
Wolford is averaging nine yards per completion. Arizona rallied from 12-0 and 18-6 deficits to win 20-18 at Memphis last week.
The juke, the hurdle, the FINISH!#TheAlliance #AAF #ArizonaHotShots pic.twitter.com/FIxXWOGt1a
— The STAT (@TheStat_) February 17, 2019
The 0-2 Stallions have issues at quarterback. Starter Josh Woodrum was injured in the loss to the Hotshots and backup Austin Allen was 15-31 for 114 yards in a 12-9 Week 2 loss to Birmingham.
Salt Lake blew a 9-0 lead in that game.
Pick: Hotshots -205, -4.5, Under 44
Memphis Express vs Orlando Apollos
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis Express | +450 | +15 (-115) | O 45 (-115) |
| Orlando Apollos | -800 | -15 (-115) | U 45 (-115) |
Kickoff: Sat, Feb 23 at 8pm EST
The 0-2 Express forced five turnovers in the loss to the Hotshots, but averaged just 3.5 yards per play on offense.
Memphis has scored a paltry 18 points in two games. On defense, the Express surrender seven yards per pass completion, second-worst in the AAF.
57-yard pickup for the @aafAPOLLOS and Steve Spurrier is a fan. pic.twitter.com/rXICLJXSpA
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) February 17, 2019
The Apollos are the league’s No. 1 passing offense. QB Garrett Gilbert has thrown for an AAF-best 620 yards.
Unbeaten Orlando (2-0) is averaging 38.5 points per game. WR Charles Johnson has caught 11 passes for 252 yards.
Pick: Apollos -800, -15, Over 45
Birmingham Iron vs Atlanta Legends
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Iron | -265 | -7 (-115) | O 39 (-110) |
| Atlanta Legends | +195 | +7 (-115) | U 39 (-120) |
Kickoff: Sun, Feb 24 at 4pm EST
It was the defense that forged the Iron’s 12-9 Week 2 win over the Stallions when CB Jamar Summers forced a third-quarter fumble that set the stage for the go-ahead TD.
The 2-0 Iron have allowed a league-low nine points through two games and posted the only shutout in AAF history.
Iron QB Luis Perez has been hindered by receivers who’ve dropped eight passes and an offensive line that’s permitted 28 pressures.
Birmingham Iron CB Jamar Summers should be the early leader for @TheAAF defensive MVP.
8 targets
2 receptions allowed
-1 yards allowed
1 interception
1 pass breakup
2 forced fumbles pic.twitter.com/WDoRbMgS26— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) February 18, 2019
It’s been a tough go for the Legends, who’ve been outscored 64-18 in two road losses. But one of those losses was to Orlando and the other came in a driving rainstorm.
Legends QB Matt Simms is the son of Super Bowl-winning New York Giants QB Phil Simms. He has completed 32 of his 53 pass attempts for 286 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Pick: Legends +195, +7, Under 39
San Antonio Commanders vs San Diego Fleet
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Commanders | +105 | +2.5 (-115) | O 43.5 (-115) |
| San Diego Fleet | -140 | -2.5 (-115) | U 43.5 (-115) |
Kickoff: Sun, Feb 24 at 8pm EST
Another Week 1 rematch. The Commanders took a 15-6 verdict from the Fleet at the Alamodome.
Both teams come into this tilt with identical 1-1 slates. It took the Fleet eight quarters to finally find the end zone and produce their first TD of the season.
Patrick Mahomes: I’m the king of the no-look pass
San Diego Fleet QB Philip Nelson: Hold my beer#AAF pic.twitter.com/85M3sw8Xgp
— GiveMeSport NFL ? (@GMS_NFL) February 18, 2019
Head coach Mike Martz has already utilized three different quarterbacks.
Fleet RB Ja’Quon Gardner rambled for 104 yards on the ground and two fourth-quarter TDs last week against Atlanta, as San Diego snapped a 9-9 fourth-quarter deadlock to win 24-12.
The first touchdown in @AAFFleet history is an 8-yard run by Ja'Quan Gardner!
San Diego Fleet 15
Atlanta Legends 12
9:04 4th Quarter pic.twitter.com/k9xhGtS91q— sdfootball.net (@sdfootball) February 18, 2019
The Commanders play their first road game of the season, but might want to get used to packing. This is their first of four in a row away from San Antonio. Through two weeks, AAF road teams are 2-6 against the spread. Commanders QB Logan Woodside leads the AAF with six TD passes and the San Antonio defense has registered a league-high 11 sacks. But they blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead in last week’s loss to Orlando.
Pick: Fleet -140, -2.5, Under 43.5
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
