After five weeks of power rankings, we still have the Apollos at number one. However, we do have new people living under the stairs.

A legend has been made. Lots of close games in week five. Two games won on the foot of the kicker.

It was not Kathy Ireland, so get out of my head. Speaking of Ireland, Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all. Please have a few too many Guinnesses and enjoy the power rankings in style. I know I did.

 

#1. ORLANDO APOLLOS (5-0) Ranking: Same

THE SHOW TIME AT THE APOLLO HAS A HIGHER RATING THAN THE BOOK OF MORMONS.

In the AAF it’s all about record over ratings. The Apollos are undefeated. The Salt Lake City book of Mormons has done poorly at the box office with only one win so far.

The Orlando success recipe.

Best Quarterback in the League.

Best Wide Receiver in the League.

Many star defensive players that stand out.

Sprinkle in a coach that has done this before in the USFL and you notice Steve Spurrier’s success so far in the AAF.

Can the Apollos be the the 1972 Miami Dolphins and go perfect the whole year? The Apollos look like they stand by themselves and the rest of the league is all jumbled together.

#2. SAN ANTONIO COMMANDERS (3-2) Ranking: Up one spot

Do not let the score fool you last week in the Commanders’ victory over the Hot shots 29-25. Commanders let off the gas in the second half when the Hot Shots fought back in this one but came up short. This game was over at half time. I’m not a guy I think, to ease on down the road with a big lead if I was the coach. I can see playing it safe, but Commanders showed the prevent defense that I guess you could say worked because they still held on. Too close for my comfort zone. The Commanders’ defense excelled in the first half with a pick six TOUCH DOWN. They forced a fumble and made things very tough on the Hot Shots offense. Hot Shots offense came on fire in garbage time in this contest. Logan Woodside was airing it out with the bomb, a perfect strike hitting his receiver right on stride for an easy touchdown.  Logan is prone to make mistakes in every contest. He is never gun shy about throwing a pass. He is getting better each week and many quarterbacks in this league can’t say that. This San Antonio team this year in the power rankings have been up and down in the middle floors, avoiding the basement and the pent house on top of the power rankings pyramid. I think they are ready to continue their rise.

#3.SAN DIEGO FLEET (3-2) Ranking: Up one spot.

The Fleet had the invasion of the Book of Mormons invade their coast line. It was one of the best games all year. The Fleet had the lead because of their defense. They scored two touchdowns on defense. They forced quite a few turnovers in this one. Salt Lake City somehow rallied back and took the lead with the two point conversion with less than a minute to go. The Mike Martz offense has to go with his starter from week one in which he was taken out and replaced by Phillip Nelson. Nelson got hurt so now the team has to rely on Michael Bercovici that week one starter. The former Arizona State University star. The Fleet have the number one rushing attack.The Stallions have the number one rushing defense. Defense prevailed there. Most of the game Bercovici was moving the ball down field and settling for field goals. Last minute of the game he came up with a bomb that was caught to set up the Fleet for the winning field goal. The Fleet went on to win this thriller.  I give Michael Bercovici credit, as he reminded me of Captain Rex Kramer in the movie Airplane. Getting mauled by Hari Krishnas and other activists begging for money. Instead this game had the Book of Mormons. Like the Captain karate and judo chopping his way through all these religious people begging for money to save the day, and get to the tower to help guide the airplane to the ground.   Bercovici used his arm to get through all the door bell ringers.

#4.BIRMINGHAM IRON (3-2) Ranking: Down two spots

This explains what the Birmingham Iron have been going through. They have fallen hard the last two games. The Apollos stepped all over the Iron. Like a bully on the playground giving your kid a purple nurple and noogies. The Iron defense looked human against the Apollos offense. The Iron switch at quarterback created a flicker. Keith Price came in and looked good on a few drives. He did not have enough to prevail against the top team in the league. Meanwhile is Luis Perez going back to his day job, bowling?

Not sure if they have YouTube videos on how to play quarterback on the bench. Will this team continue to free fall into next week?

#5. ATLANTA LEGENDS (2-3) Ranking: Up  three spots

We have waited and finally Atlanta is definitely legendary. It took weeks but the Legends finally have their coaching staff in place. Since Ken Zampese came in as the new offensive coordinator, this team has been rolling.  Aaron Murray came in at quarterback and the Legends have won their first two games. The offense looks crisper.

The Legends defense made a huge play at the end of the game last week in which they  forced a turnover versus the Express. Then the Legends drove the ball down field and won the game with a field goal. This is the first time the Legends have been out of the basement of our power rankings this year.

#6.MEMPHIS EXPRESS (1-4) Ranking: Down one spot

Just when you think the Express have turned the corner. After coming off your first win last week you find yourself in a battle in Atlanta. It’s a tie game. Your quarterback is not Christian Hackenberg. Your new gunslinger, Zach Mettenburger, has given your team life.

It’s the last minute of the game and your team is driving. Zach makes a throw which goes through the hands of his receiver and the old tip drill in football benefits the Legends as they get the interception. The Legends drive down the field and kick the field goal to end the one game winning streak of the Express. Oh, the humanity. Can the Express dig themselves out of a big hole in the second half of the season?

#7.SALT LAKE CITY STALLIONS (1-4) Ranking: Down one spot

The Stallions by far should have a better record than they have. This team has the best run defense. They have the best pass rusher in Karter Schult. On offense, Josh Woodrum is one of the better quarterbacks in this league. Woodrum got his bell rung. Came back into the game and led the team back from two scores down. The Stallions should have never been down as they turnover the ball four times. Two of them were scores for the Fleet. The Stallions then took the lead with 49 seconds left in the game. To have given the ball away that many times and still be able to take the lead in that game, you know you have some things that are working well for you. Then the defense let the Fleet march down the field with less than a minute to see another game get away from them.  With this loss, these Stallion book of Mormons might be seeking answers in your neighborhood at some point. When that bell rings at your house, be sure to hide under the bed. Don’t open the door to them. We have some nifty signs to put on your front door to stop the Book of Mormons from bothering you.

#8.ARIZONA HOT SHOTS (2-3) Ranking: Down one spot

Many experts thought the Hot Shots were going to be one of the best teams in the AAF. Those three experts are now covering badminton in Zimbabwe for ESPN 999. The Hot Shots came out of the gate blazing.

The wheels have been coming off on the Hot Shot Mystery Van. Scooby Wright is the heart and soul of the Hot Shot defense but the rest of the mystery team is MIA. The Hot Shots continue to come into each game cold and always playing from behind. They made it a much closer game last week versus the Commanders. However, they did their scoring in garbage time.