The Atlanta Legends entered Week Three with all the hope in the world, believing that they would finally secure their first victory. The Birmingham Iron, however, came to town with another mission in mind: Kicking the Legends while they were down. The Irons, of course, prevailed and dropped the Legends to an 0-3 record.
The Arizona Hotshots, one of the better teams in the league, faced their share of difficulties last week. In their loss to the Salt Lake Stallions, the Hotshots also lost their starting quarterback John Wolford. Wolford was replaced by Trevor Knight, who finished with a 40% completion rating and just 68 yards. The team says that Wolford’s injury was a simple back strain, but there’s still no word on his availability this weekend.
Which brings us to this week’s preview – Week Four, the Atlanta Legends travel to Arizona to take on the Hotshots. Here’s what you should look for this weekend:
Week Four AAF Preview: Atlanta Legends at Arizona Hotshots
What to Watch For: Atlanta Legends
Honestly? Not much. Younghoe Koo continues to be the team’s most impressive player, if only for the fact that he’s the team’s leading scorer. Unfortunately, the Legends seem hellbent on starting Matt Simms over Aaron Murray. Until such a day comes where they decide to do the opposite, we cannot honestly expect them to do any better than they have been doing.
Their defense seems gassed – rightfully so considering they’re always on the field. Their offense, while capable of moving downfield, can’t find the end zone to save their lives. And their fans? Their first home game drew an attendance of just over 10,000 – less than half of their home stadium’s capacity. Fans even starting chanting for Murray near the end of the game.
You want something to look for this weekend? Look for the Legends to lose. Again. That’s not pessimistic – that’s realistic. A third of the way through the season and the Legends have made zero adjustments outside of losing staff members.
What to Watch For: Arizona Hotshots
The Hotshots, on the other hand, are among the league’s best teams. Their unfortunate loss to the Salt Lake Stallions was more to blame on the loss of Wolford and linebacker Steven Johnson. While the team hopes Wolford is available for this weekend’s game, there’s still no word on his availability. If, by chance, Wolford is unable to play this weekend, the team’s success will depend on Knight’s ability to pass. That ability appeared to be lacking last weekend, but he was also limited to just over a quarter’s worth of play. Maybe he’s better than what we saw last weekend. After all, he’ll have the Atlanta defense to practice against.
Arizona fans may also want to keep an eye on wide receiver Rashad Ross, who leads the league with four touchdown receptions and more than twice the number of receptions than any other player on the team. Ross may not have found much success in the nine NFL teams he’s been with, but he’s definitely finding it in Arizona.
Last Word on Week Four: Atlanta Legends at Arizona Hotshots
This week marks the third time in four weeks that the Legends will be flying to a new timezone for a game. There are lots of reasons to doubt this team, and their resistance – or outright bullheaded reluctance – to making adjustments is simply cause for more concern. You have to wonder how a team could start their inaugural season so poorly, but then there are always going to be losers in any sport.
The Hotshots, while missing a couple of key figures, are still playing at home which gives them a distinct advantage over Atlanta. That, and their talented roster even without Wolford and Johnson, should provide them with enough momentum to win over the Legends. At this point, a backup quarterback could probably handle the Legends anyway.
Predicted score: 24-6, Arizona
Main Photo:
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