Memphis Express No Longer Have Worst AAF Championship Odds After Week 7 Win
- The Memphis Express are no longer the longest shot to win the AAF Championship
- Both the Atlanta Legends and Salt Lake Stallions are listed behind Memphis
- The 2-5 Express face the league-leading Orlando Apollos (6-1) on Saturday
Are the Memphis Express benefiting from the Johnny Football bump? Quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, saw his first AAF action with the Express last week and Memphis won for just the second time all season, downing the Birmingham Iron 31-25.
Silvers = CLUTCH@aafexpress | #BHMvsMEM pic.twitter.com/oin31SNZCN
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 25, 2019
Birmingham had blanked Memphis 26-0 in the first meeting between the two teams during the opening week of the AAF schedule.
As a result of this turnaround in fortunes, the Express are no longer the longest shot on the board in the latest AAF Championship odds — they’re now +6600 to capture the league title.
2019 AAF Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Orlando Apollos | +115 |
| Arizona Hotshots | +325 |
| San Antonio Commanders | +350 |
| Birmingham Iron | +500 |
| San Diego Fleet | +1200 |
| Memphis Express | +6600 |
| Salt Lake Stallions | +8000 |
| Atlanta Legends | +8000 |
*Odds taken on 03/28/19
The Salt Lake Stallions and Atlanta Legends, the AAF’s other 2-5 teams, both have odds of +8000 to earn the league’s inaugural championship.
Talking the Express Line
Since February 12th, Memphis has held at the very best the second-worst odds to win the AAF Championship. For the previous two weeks, they had had the worst odds, offered at an AAF-worst +15000 a week ago.
COMEBACK ✅
REVENGE ✅Back ? on Saturday
? https://t.co/uKPGZ2VI83? | #VictoryMonday | #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/PRFxJndMaH
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 25, 2019
But after another win, coupled with Manziel joining the team, they’re moving on up the ladder.
Manziel Up
Manziel’s first taste of the AAF, much like his NFL and CFL debuts, was as a back-up.
Johnny Manziel’s first completion as a member of the Express.#BHMvsMEM | #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/S017L3PHm5
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 25, 2019
Signed at the beginning of last week, the former Cleveland Browns QB spelled starter Brandon Silvers for three series against Birmingham during the second and third quarters.
“This is the best quarterback room I’ve ever been in. I’m proud of that.”
Johnny Manziel has high praise for his teammates.
? | https://t.co/VeEqXJIbwn pic.twitter.com/BlsNv9OF2n
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 26, 2019
Manziel finished 3-of-5 through the air for 48 yards. He also ran for 20 yards, failed to convert a two-point attempt and was sacked once.
Let’s goooo @aafexpress #Dub https://t.co/UAh8veFoRH
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) March 25, 2019
But Silvers was the hero. He rallied Memphis from a 25-14 deficit with five minutes to play for the 31-25 verdict in the first overtime game in AAF history.
The Revenge Tour
That’s how the Express are billing the remainder of the AAF regular season as they seek to battle their way back into the race.
Can't stop thinking about last night…
@B_Silvers1 | @JManziel2 #AllAboard | #VictoryMonday pic.twitter.com/ALYlyjZLOD
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 25, 2019
They won’t get a truer test of how far they’ve come than this week, when they welcome the league-leading 6-1 Orlando Apollos to Memphis.
Back-to-back wins in front of the home crowd.
Let’s make it a three-peat on Saturday!
✈️ | #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/lGbUNfVQ6v
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 25, 2019
Memphis gave the Apollos a game in Week 3, coming up short in a 21-17 loss at Orlando. Since the Apollos have already clinched a playoff spot – the first AAF team to do so – might they take their foot off the gas a bit this week?
REFUELED ?
Home field has us ?
? on Saturday ? https://t.co/uKPGZ2E6Jt pic.twitter.com/9HXggf7s8G
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 27, 2019
The Express are actually 2-1 at home this season, with back-to-back wins following a close 20-18 loss to the Arizona Hotshots in their home opener.
Should You Take Memphis Seriously?
You can’t say that the Express aren’t a cocky bunch. They’ve already thrown some shade in the direction of legendary Apollos coach Steve Spurrier, pointing out that his South Carolina team was upset by Tennessee the last time he brought a football squad to the state.
In case you were wondering…a Steve Spurrier coached team took an L the last time they came to the State of Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/zmlBnz8rvj
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 25, 2019
There are still causes for concern with the Express. Their minus-39 point differential is second-worst in the league. They are last in offense (253.3 yards per game) and last in defense (347.7 ypg).
First OT (WIN) in Alliance history!
?✈️ | #AllAboard https://t.co/mYPSITtl6z
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 25, 2019
Worst of all, only four teams make the AAF playoffs, so Memphis must make up two games in the standings with three games to play.
The Express remain a bad bet. If you want better odds than Orlando, we recommend the San Antonio Commanders (+350) as a longshot play.
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.
