Rematch! As we near the end of the AAF‘s inaugural season, the Atlanta Legends will once again face off against the Orlando Apollos. This weekend’s game is a rematch of the first week, where Atlanta fell to Orlando 40-6 – effectively setting the tone for the remainder of Atlanta’s first season. So far, the Legends have won all of two games, all thanks to Aaron Murray taking over as starting quarterback. The Apollos, however, were on track for a perfect season before being upset by the Arizona Hotshots last weekend. Can the Legends follow in Arizona’s footsteps and lead another upset? Or will the Apollos drop another 40 burger on the still-struggling Legends?
Week Seven Preview: Orlando Apollos at Atlanta Legends
Orlando Apollos
More than halfway through the season, it appeared that Orlando was mounting the first perfect season. Then the Hotshots came to town and ruined everything, upsetting the league’s leading squad 22-17. Was the loss just a result of a bad game? Has the team’s sustained success fatigued them? This weekend’s game will help decide that, though many are suggesting the former. To be frank, even with Atlanta’s recent success and their decision to finally start Murray, no one honestly expects them to beat Orlando.
Even then, the Apollos are well aware of the “any given Sunday” bug. After all, it bit them last week. After Atlanta’s recent personnel changes, they’re second only to Orlando in passing yards and total offense. Orlando’s head coach Steve Spurrier knows the team can’t take it easy this weekend, telling reporters “We’ve got a lot of ball left. This is just one game. We didn’t tell you we were going to go undefeated this year, OK? We’ve got to get those guys next week.”
Atlanta Legends
After a dismal start, a hopeful revival and a return to mediocrity, Atlanta’s first season is finally in the home stretch. Somehow they haven’t been knocked out of the playoffs, but it would take nothing short of a miracle to put them in the bracket at this point. A loss similar to last week’s against the San Antonio Commanders would effectively put an end to their season. While Aaron Murray appears to be the team’s only saving grace – him and kicker Younghoe Koo, actually – there’s just not enough will on the team to carry them to a win this weekend.
Let the work do the talkin 🤫 #AllHailATL | @Outback #WhatsAtSteak pic.twitter.com/en16OiWgNE
— Atlanta Legends (@AafLegends) March 21, 2019
The Legends have a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball. Most importantly, their defense has to contain Orlando’s offense. The Apollos average nearly 28 points per game, and Garrett Gilbert leads the league in passing yards. For Orlando, the sky’s the limit. For Atlanta? This is it. J.T. Jones, Tracy Sprinkle and Tyson Graham, Jr. will all be under the spotlight on Saturday as they attempt to contain Gilbert and the rest of Orlando’s explosive offense.
Last Word on Atlanta Legends vs. Orlando Apollos
Expect Atlanta to put up a little more of a fight this time around. The Legends initially came into the season arrogant and unprepared – in flux after the departure of their first head coach and Michael Vick. The safe bet would be on Orlando (again), but don’t expect the Legends to give up another 40 points. The final score may not be super close, but it’ll likely be closer than it was last time. The Legends have something to prove, while the Apollos are trying to show that their first loss was nothing more than a fluke. Everyone has something to fight for now.
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