The Atlanta Legends and San Diego Fleet are both looking to put their performance in the first week of the AAF behind them. Both teams could only muster six points on the road against conference opponents, and the goal will be to shake off the bad start and move to 1-1 in Week 2. Although neither team looked sharp in Week 1, offshore sportsbook BetDSI thinks that the Fleet are significantly better than their foe here. San Diego is a 9.5-point favorite over Atlanta, and the total is 43 points.
Atlanta Legends
The Michael Vick experiment did not last long. Vick was hired to be Atlanta’s offensive coordinator prior to the start of the season, but shortly before the Legends’ 40-6 loss to Orlando in their season opener, it was announced that he would be leaving the team to take a non-coaching role in the AAF. The Vick hire never made sense in the first place and seemed mostly geared toward putting fans in the stands, and it will be interesting to see where Atlanta goes from here.
Atlanta looks like it could be the worst team in the league. Kevin Coyle was hired to be the head coach after Brad Childress abruptly left in January, and Coyle might be in over his head. He has never been a head coach before, and last year he was a defensive analyst at LSU.
The Legends’ offense looks like a disaster. Both Matt Simms and Aaron Murray were dreadful in the opener, combining to average less than five yards per pass attempt while throwing three interceptions between them.
Their defense might have been even more alarming though. Orlando was able to run or pass with ease against Atlanta’s defense, and the Apollos largely only stopped themselves. They averaged 6.9 yards per play, and San Diego has to think that it can move the ball on this defense.
San Diego Fleet
Last week, the big problem for the Fleet was turnovers. They turned the ball over five times, and that led to a 15-6 loss despite San Diego moving the ball better than their opponent. They averaged 5.2 yards per play, which isn’t bad considering how other teams fared, but the turnovers were costly.
Mike Martz has already announced that he will be making a switch at the quarterback position for this game. Former Arizona State star Mike Bercovici was the quarterback in Week 1, but Philip Nelson will take the reins on Sunday.
The Fleet had significant problems in pass protection in their opener. Bercovici was sacked six times, so Martz wants a more mobile quarterback to answer some of the issues they are having along the offensive line. He is a skilled runner, so don’t be surprised to see him tuck it and take off often.
AAF Pick: Under 43
I have too many question marks regarding both teams to take a side, but I don’t expect either offense to move the ball well once again. Even though this is the lowest total of the week, I’ll take the under.
