The San Diego Fleet are playing the best football in the AAF’s Western Conference and they have what looks like a winnable game in front of them this weekend when they visit the winless Memphis Express. Since losing their Week 1 opener, they’ve won two in a row and will take on a Memphis side that’s looked completely lost.
San Diego Fleet at Memphis Express
Date: Saturday March 2nd, 2019 – 4:05 PM ET
Location: Liberty Bowl, Memphis, Tennessee
San Diego Fleet
The San Diego Fleet went 2-0 on a two-game homestand, but now they go back on the road. The Fleet have picked up the pace on offense in recent weeks with two games of 24 points or more. Their offense continues to improve, scoring just six points in Week 1, before notching 24 in Week 2, and 31 in Week 3.
In last week’s 31-11 win over San Antonio, Ja’Quan Gardner ripped off an 83-yard touchdown run that has put him on the radar for the NFL. He only had eight carries in Week 1 and the team struggled on offense. Since then, he’s been fed, producing 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns in one game and 121 rushing yards and a touchdown in the other. The undersized runner might get a good look if he keeps playing like this. Quarterback Phillip Nelson completed 68 percent of his passes for just under 200 yards and did not make big mistakes. This is a team which knows it must rely on rushing and defense to win games, and is playing a style of football which will put itself in position to prevail.
Their defense has been stellar, collecting 11 sacks, five interceptions and giving up just 12 points per game. That figures to be trouble for a Memphis side that’s struggling on offense.
Memphis Express
The Express have struggled on offense, but they might have found something last week. They were atrocious with quarterback Christian Hackenberg under center, but when they switched to Zach Mettenberger, their offense came alive against Orlando. Mettenberger threw a 30-yard touchdown pass and a 40-yard strike on a 3rd and 19 play to give Memphis a jolt.
There was a lot of hope surrounding Hackenberg but things quickly went sour when he struggled. Many people felt that the former New York Jets “future quarterback” would be one of the more talented passers in this league. When he looked lost –- and consistently lost -– the team’s moral sagged. Switching quarterbacks gave the team a shot in the arm.
Mettenberger is expected to make his first start of the season against San Diego. With a full game from Mettenberger, you might see a completely different Memphis team. San Diego better watch out.
Trends
The Fleet were terrible in their first game of the young season but have been strong in each of their last two games, covering the spread and winning outright as favorites. San Diego’s defense has been strong all season, not allowing more than 15 points in any of its three games.
The Express have been one of the worst teams in the league. Only the Atlanta Legends have been worse out of the eight teams in the AAF. Memphis is 0-3 straight up but they have been decent against the spread, covering two of their three games. Memphis’ offense has scored a grand total of just 35 points in three games this season. All three of their games have finished under the number and under 39 points.
Fleet vs. Express Prediction
Express 20, Fleet 18
