AAF Week 5 Odds & Picks: Apollos Take Perfect Record to Birmingham
- The Alliance of American Football schedule reaches midseason this week
- East leaders Orlando and Birmingham clash at Legion Field
- Three teams are tied for first in the West at 2-2
The Alliance of American Football season will be half done after this week, and no one has even a half-baked notion as to which team is the best in the West.
Three teams – the Arizona Hotshots, San Antonio Commanders, and San Diego Fleet – are deadlocked atop the Western Conference standings with 2-2 records.
Of that group, San Diego and Arizona have scored a conference-high 84 points, while San Antonio has allowed a West-worst 85 points.
The first safety in #AAF history was… interesting pic.twitter.com/TogLHVyAT4
— OT Sports Network (@OTSportsPod) March 4, 2019
It’s a much different story in the Eastern Conference, where the 4-0 Orlando Apollos continue to roll along as the last unbeaten team in the league’s inaugural campaign. Orlando is an offensive juggernaut, posting AAF-leading totals of 385 yards per game and 29.5 points per game.
This is the sort of mentality that’s made the @aafiron defense so well respected.
These guys want to take an offense’s will away over four quarters. So far, they’ve succeeded.pic.twitter.com/nuvNPoxqDy
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) March 3, 2019
Right behind them, the 3-1 Birmingham Iron have allowed an AAF-low 33 points, at least 30 points fewer than any other team in the league.
Let’s look at all Week 5 AAF games.
Orlando Apollos vs Birmingham Iron Odds
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando Apollos | -180 | -4.5 (-115) | O 34 (-115) |
| Birmingham Iron | +140 | +4.5 (-115) | U 34 (-115) |
*All odds taken 3/7
Kickoff: Sat, Mar 9 at 2pm EST
The Apollos are the postal workers of the AAF. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor enemy defenses can stop them from completing their appointed rounds.
Last week, they rounded up the Salt Lake Stallions 20-11 in a snowfall.
#AAF play of the week pic.twitter.com/h8uldumrXt
— FightingFINSnews?? (@FightingFins) March 4, 2019
Steve Spurrier’s Apollos keep finding new wrinkles to throw at opponents. He’s not a coach who’s prone to tendencies, making him difficult to gameplan against. It helps to have the AAF’s No. 1 QB under center in Garrett Gilbert.
Greatest QB in #AAF history#TakeAim #JoinTheAlliance #NFL pic.twitter.com/vUKo0ze88e
— Apollo News (@NewsApollos) March 6, 2019
The Iron are the AAF kings of the goal line stand, and have proven to be a bend but don’t break defense. But can they hold off the offensive powerhouse that is Orlando?
LIVE LOOK @aafiron goal line defense!!! #ForgeOn #AAF pic.twitter.com/0CDQ7s1Qfq
— FightingFINSnews?? (@FightingFins) March 3, 2019
The truth may be that the Iron are merely smoke and mirrors. They’ve fashioned their three wins against the AAF’s three 1-3 clubs – Atlanta, Memphis and Salt Lake.
Running back Trent Richardson, a onetime NFL first-round pick, had 15 yards rushing last week. He’s averaging 2.4 yards per carry.
Pick: Apollos -4.5, Over 34
Salt Lake Stallions vs San Diego Fleet Odds
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake Stallions | +175 | +5.5 (-115) | O 35.5 (-115) |
| San Diego Fleet | -230 | -5.5 (-115) | U 35.5 (-115) |
Kickoff: Sat, Mar 9 at 8pm EST
The winner of this game will be 3-2 and assured of at least a share of top spot in the West. Doing the simple math, the point differentials show the Fleet to be +20 and the Stallions to be -20 this season.
San Diego Fleet punt return #AAF pic.twitter.com/oSjPP76wKz
— Russ Don (@itsRussDon) March 2, 2019
Those who play quarterback for the Fleet are finding that their time under center is fleeting. Mike Bercovici went out with an injury in the season opener. His replacement, Philip Nelson, suffered a fractured clavicle last week and is likely done for the season.
Fleet coach Mike Martz will return to Bercovici, instead of Alex Ross, who replaced Nelson last week. San Diego’s yards per play average of 5.9 is second in the AAF.
RUN BOUAGNON, RUN ? @JoelBouagnon takes it to the end zone for his 2nd TD of the season. #TouchdownTuesday pic.twitter.com/tzm4yA8MmJ
— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) March 5, 2019
Salt Lake lost at home in the snow last week to a team from Florida. That’s embarrassing.
But the Stallions are 1-1 vs West opposition – the same as every division team – and can jump right back into contention with a win.
Pick: Stallions +5.5, Under 35.5
Memphis Express vs Atlanta Legends Odds
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis Express | +105 | +1.5 (-115) | O 38 (-115) |
| Atlanta Legends | -135 | -1.5 (-115) | U 38 (-115) |
Kickoff: Sun, Mar 10 at 4pm EST
The Express benched former NFL QB Christian Hackenberg, and ex-LSU Tiger Zach Mettenberger led them to their first win of the season, a 26-23 verdict over the Fleet.
Coach Singletary has high praise for The Mett Show. | #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/KUhn2dJxv0
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) February 26, 2019
Meanwhile, the Legends handed the reins to former Georgia QB Aaron Murray in place of the injured Matt Simms. They also won for their first time, a 14-11 upset of Arizona.
It was announced this morning that Aaron Murray will indeed start for the Atlanta Legends this weekend against the Memphis Express.
Memphis’ QB is Zach Mettenberger, setting up a nostalgic “rematch” of the epic 2013 UGA vs. LSU game in Sanford Stadium.
You interested now? pic.twitter.com/sidMHNew43
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) March 7, 2019
Another change in Atlanta saw veteran NFL assistant Ken Zampese take over as offensive coordinator. The result was a season-high 454 yards gained.
Pick: Legends -1.5, Under 38
San Antonio Commanders vs Arizona Hotshots Odds
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Commanders | n/a | +2.5 (-115) | O 40.5 (-115) |
| Arizona Hotshots | n/a | -2.5 (-115) | U 40.5 (-115) |
Kickoff: Sun, Mar 10 at 8pm EST
Commanders RB Kenneth Farrow carved through the Birmingham defense for 142 yards on 30 carries. San Antonio ended a two-game skid and the Iron’s unbeaten season.
All gas from @KennethMFarrow on Sunday which earned him @TheAAF Offensive Player of the Week. ?‼️#TakeCommand⚔️ pic.twitter.com/GCXNbtFdho
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 6, 2019
The preseason favorites to win the AAF championship, the Hotshots are in free fall, suffering successive losses to previously winless teams.
Playmakers ? @ThaBugMan | #AllHailATL pic.twitter.com/0ry4IQMKQb
— Atlanta Legends (@AafLegends) March 6, 2019
The offense has evaporated and the defense surrendered four plays of 30-plus yards in last week’s loss to Atlanta.
Pick: Commanders +2.5, Under 40.5
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.
