Week 7 of the AAF season saw the power structure shift a bit. Here are the Team Rankings heading into Week 8.
The Power Rankings are here! They don’t feature a change at the top yet, but there are definitely some threats looming for the Apollos. Teams were ranked by the following criteria: points for and against, rushing and passing yards per game, rushing and passing defense, and overall wins and losses.
1. Orlando Apollos (6-1)
Points For: 1st
Points Against: 2nd
Rush Offense: 2nd
Rush Defense: 5th
Pass Offense: 1st
Pass Defense: 2nd
Win/Loss: 1st
The Apollos continue to set the standard for the rest of the AAF. The only question Orlando will need to answer down the stretch is the question of focus. Having already clinched a playoff spot, will the Apollos be able to stay focused through the last three weeks? The possibility of a home playoff game is still up for grabs, so that could guide them the rest of the way.
Next Opponent: Memphis Express (Away)
2. San Antonio Commanders
Points For: 4th
Points Against: 3rd
Rush Offense: 3rd
Rush Defense: 2nd
Pass Offense: 7th
Pass Defense: 7th
Win/Loss: 2nd
San Antonio’s stats do not really impress at first glance and do not fully tell the story of the season for the Commanders. The key to victory and a second place standing in the Power Rankings is turnovers. San Antonio leads the AAF in takeaways. In nearly every victory for the Commanders this season, they have come up with a huge interception that has directly led to points. The most recent was a 99-yard pick-2 against the Stallions. Another factor that has contributed greatly to the success of San Antonio is their incredibly enthusiastic fan base. The Commanders put over 30,000 fans in the stands in Week 7.
Next opponent: Arizona Hotshots (Home)
3. Arizona Hotshots (4-3)
Points For: 2nd
Points Against: 4th
Rush Offense: 1st
Rush Defense: 7th
Pass Offense: 5th
Pass Defense: 4th
Win/Loss: T-3rd
Arizona is one of the scariest teams to play right now. The Hotshots have rattled off wins against the Apollos and Fleet in the last two weeks, setting themselves up for a playoff spot. Earlier in the season, Arizona was plagued by penalties and turnovers. They have done a good job of limiting turnovers over the last two games, but penalties are still a concern. Still, no team in the AAF is looking forward to having to play the Hotshots right now.
Next opponent: San Antonio Commanders (Away)
4. Birmingham Iron (4-3)
Points For: 5th
Points Against: 2nd
Rush Offense: 8th
Rush Defense: 4th
Pass Offense: 3rd
Pass Defense: 3rd
Win/Loss: T-3rd
Birmingham is sliding. Having lost two out of their last three, the Iron find themselves needing a win this weekend to keep their grip on a playoff spot. Inability to consistently run the ball and a defense that is slipping in all categories have put the Iron in this position and yet a win this weekend, paired with losses courtesy of Atlanta and Memphis, will clinch a playoff spot.
Next opponent: Atlanta Legends (Home)
5. San Diego Fleet (3-4)
Points For: 3rd
Points Against: 6th
Rush Offense: 4th
Rush Defense: 3rd
Pass Offense: 2nd
Pass Defense: 8th
Win/Loss: 5th
Ecstasy and agony. Those two words best categorize the Fleet’s season. They have won and lost in dramatic fashion this year, and have been plagued by injuries. Quarterback Mike Bercovici has thrown for over 300 yards in the last three consecutive games (a league first), but the team is only 1-2 over those matchups. The injury report released this week has starting running back Ja’Quan Gardner and big-play wide receiver Dontez Ford moved to the IR. The Fleet remain in striking distance of a playoff spot but will need to finish with more ecstasy and less agony if they are going to get there.
Next Opponent: Salt Lake Stallions (Away)
6. Salt Lake Stallions (2-5)
Points For: 6th
Points Against: 5th
Rush Offense: 5th
Rush Defense: 1st
Pass Offense: 6th
Pass Defense: 5th
Win/Loss: T-6th
Salt Lake nearly upset San Antonio last weekend, which would have propelled them much higher on this list. A late interception ended those hopes. Even at 2-5, the Stallions have an outside shot at the playoffs but need some help along the way. They have a fierce rushing defense, but cannot stop turning the ball over at critical times.
Next Opponent: San Diego Fleet (Home)
7. Memphis Express
Points For: 7th
Points Against: 7th
Rush Offense: 8th
Rush Defense: 8th
Pass Offense: 6th
Pass Defense: 6th
Win/Loss: T-6th
Memphis ranks in the bottom three in all categories. Why are they not in last place? Put simply, it’s improved quarterback play. Brandon Silvers had an excellent game against the Iron in Week 7. Enduring fan cheers for Johnny Manziel, Silvers delivered in the clutch, giving Memphis a much-needed win and keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.
Next Opponent: Orlando (Home)
8. Atlanta Legends (2-5)
Only a couple of weeks ago, it seemed like Atlanta was on the rise. But in back-to-back weeks, the Legends have been blown out. Add in key players now on the injury report, and the Legends are looking more and more like a mess. If they can somehow right the ship, they still have a mathematical shot at the postseason, but they will need a lot of help from other teams as well.
Nex Opponent: Birmingham (Away)
