For the second straight week, the Commanders jumped out to a big lead in the first half. Last week in their win against the Arizona Hotshots, the Commanders jumped out to a 26-0 lead. This week, against the Atlanta Legends, they were able to jump out to a 20-0 lead courtesy to three first half turnovers by Aaron Murray and the Legends. The Commanders would dominate all three facets of the game, offense, defense and special teams in their big time win over the Atlanta Legends, 37-6.
San Antonio Commanders Dominate Atlanta Legends
Hot Commanders Start
The game started off with a punt from each team. On the Legends second drive, running back Brandon Radcliff fumbles, and San Antonio recovers the football. On the next play, Commanders running back Kenneth Farrow, ll takes it in the end zone for a 13 yard scamper. The next two Legends drives would end in turnovers as well, with Murray throwing interceptions in back to back drives.
. @ZSanchez15 first interception of the game.
No throw is safe. ‼️ pic.twitter.com/lCrHecdemU
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 17, 2019
We rollin’ already. ?
First TD of the day for @KennethMFarrow‼️#TakeCommand⚔️ pic.twitter.com/fFcrirbT2q
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 17, 2019
Logan Woodside would throw two touchdowns in those drives, one to Mekale McKay from five yards out, and one to his tight end Evan Rodriguez from 33 yards out. Woodside finished the first half nine of 12 passes, for 84 yards, two touchdowns and a QB rating of 133.3.
33 yard touchdown pass from @LwoodsideQB5 to @ERod_Inc. ? #TakeCommand⚔️ pic.twitter.com/FtIqkKvNTZ
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 17, 2019
However, the Legends would respond in the middle of the second quarter, with a long touchdown drive of their own. Murray would avenge his two interceptions and throw a one yard touchdown pass to Tarean Folson on fourth and goal. And just when the Legends would regain life, the Commanders squash their momentum. On the ensuing punt, Commanders returner Greg Ward, Jr. returns the ball 79 yards for a touchdown. The Commanders had all facets working in the first half, taking a 26-6 lead into halftime.
ALL
HAIL
TOUCHDOWN!#SAvsATL | @TheAAF pic.twitter.com/xLkSqzw7oN
— Atlanta Legends (@AafLegends) March 17, 2019
OH. MY.@G_Ward1 looks like a created player as he returns the punt 79 yds. for a TD ? pic.twitter.com/i2pcyPvURm
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 17, 2019
Second Half
Not much changed early in the second half. The Commanders used a 11 play drive elapsing almost seven minutes to open up the second half. Although the drive ended in three points, the Commanders continued to dominate the Legends defense through the air. Woodside threw for 71 yards on that drive alone, nearly matching his first half total.
The Legends could never find their footing. The Commanders made a goal line stop early in the fourth, and sealed the game by the middle of the fourth, with an 87 yard pick six by Derron Smith. This is Smith’s second game in a row with a pick six. The Commanders defense shuts out the Legends offense in the second half.
. @D_SmithFS pick sick MACHINE. ‼️#TakeCommand⚔️ pic.twitter.com/eLRvqOkkPN
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 17, 2019
Analysis
The Commanders are showing signs of a complete football team. The Commanders saw touchdowns from all three facets of the game. Whether it was the offense, the defense for the second straight week, or even the special teams, all three came up big this week. After a rough two week stretch, the Commanders look like the top contender to be in the AAF championship game come April 27, moving into first place temporarily until the Fleet game tonight.
The Legends are beginning to revert back to their old ways. Quarterback Aaron Murray was coming in completing 47 of 76 passes for 560 yards and one touchdown in his last two starts. Today, Murray completed 30 of 41 passes, for 215 yards and one touchdown to three interceptions. Murray had no help from the running game, as the Legends netted 65 rushing yards.
In the end, the Commanders defense was too much for the Legends to handle. The Commanders are now up to 12 turnovers the last three weeks, the best in the AAF over that span. This defense continues to be opportunistic, continuing to be the top rush defense in the AAF, and forcing turnovers week after week.
Main photo:
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