AAF Week 5 Preview

Saturday:
Orlando Apollos (4-0) at Birmingham Iron (3-1) – 2pm EST (TNT)

A game moved to TNT for more access to viewers, this game was looking to be a battle of two undefeated teams.  While the Apollos kept the dream alive last week in the Salt Lake snow, the Iron suffered their first defeat — by a single point — at the hands of the San Antonio Commanders.  This is still quite a battle, and worthy of the bump to a nationally televised audience.

What kind of games are we getting this week?  Scores were way down in Week 4.  Is there a return to prominence, or do we max out at 26 across the Alliance again?

Schulzy says: 31-14, Orlando

 

Salt Lake Stallions (1-3) at San Diego Fleet (2-2) – 8pm EST (NFLN)

The Stallions held on for as long as they could last week against the Apollos, but found themselves in the same column as everyone else Orlando has played so far.  Karter Schult suffered an injury and spent some time out of the lineup before returning later.  The Fleet had a key injury as well, their #2 QB Philip Nelson went down and #3 QB Alex Ross entered the fray.  They scored more points in the first quarter than the rest of the game.

This should be an interesting one as well, seeing who wants to bounce back more.

Schulzy says: 27-26, Salt Lake

Sunday:
Memphis Express (1-3) at Atlanta Legends (1-3) – 4pm EST (CBSSN)

The Legends got their first win last week with QB Aaron Murray at the helm.  In a late Sunday tilt against the Hotshots, he threw for 254 yards but their sole touchdown came courtesy of Denard “Shoelace” Robinson’s feet.  The Memphis Express also got their first win, the change at the helm to Zach Mettenberger has clearly made a difference.  Rochester native Quentin Gause has been on the tally sheet the past two weeks as well, picking up tackles on Special Teams.

Each of these teams got off the schneid last week.  Good news for one: a winning streak!  The other, back to the drawing board in Week 6.

Schulzy says: 19-16, Memphis

 

San Antonio Commanders (2-2) at Arizona Hotshots (2-2) – 8pm EST (NFLN)

The Commanders took down the Iron while the Hotshots fell to the Legends.  These are two squads going in opposite directions at the moment.  Kenneth Farrow II carried the rock 30 times for 142 yard for San Antonio, and Jhurell Pressley had 110 on 14 totes for Arizona.

If you’re a big believer in momentum, it’ll be the Commanders this week.

Schulzy says: 22-17, San Antonio

Apologies to the Fleet, Stallions, Iron, and Hotshots.  The sports gods played a funny trick last week and opened up with an 0-4 here.  They join the illustrious ranks of the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Orioles, Greg Biffle, ’94 San Diego Chargers, and every Daytona 500 almost-winner (with the exception of Trevor Bayne) in the last 15 years.  That’s a big pile of close but no cigar for teams that I’ve backed.  This week will be better, haha, it has to to be!