Orlando Apollos Now Listed as Favorites to Win AAF Championship After Week 3
By Robert Duff in AAF
Updated: March 27, 2020 at 8:36 am EDTPublished:
- Orlando Apollos are off to a 3-0 start in the newly-formed AAF
- Apollos are coached by Steve Spurrier, who led Florida to an NCAA national championship
- Orlando are the current favorites to win the AAF title
Like the moonshots their namesakes used to make, the Orlando Apollos have soared to the top.
As the new Alliance of American Football nears completion of its first month of competition, the Apollos are 3-0 and looking very much like the team to beat.
AAF Power Rankings Week 4: Birmingham Iron rising quickly, Orlando Apollos still No. 1 https://t.co/0Z86aduz8z pic.twitter.com/CENMqI13cf
— SportsRadio 740 (@SportsRadio_740) February 26, 2019
The online sports betting sites have established the Apollos as their favorites to win the inaugural AAF championship.
2019 AAF Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Orlando Apollos | +200 |
| Arizona Hotshots | +240 |
| Birmingham Iron | +275 |
| San Diego Fleet | +650 |
| Salt Lake Stallions | +1200 |
| San Antonio Commanders | +1400 |
| Memphis Express | +5000 |
| Atlanta Legends | +6600 |
*Odds taken on 02/27/19
The Arizona Hotshots had held forth as the chalk in the AAF since the season began. But the Hotshots fell 23-15 to the Salt Lake Stallions last week to taste defeat for the first time this season.
While the loss didn’t result in too much of a hit to Arizona’s AAF Championship odds, it did see Orlando overtake them as the favorite across all our top sportsbooks.
Apollos 3-0
Week 3 saw the closest game of the season for the Apollos, who dug deep at home to get past the Memphis Express 21-17.
Grind out the victory. 3-0. Let's keep moving. 🏹#TakeAim | #MEMvsORL pic.twitter.com/tDuFQ2Nkik
— Orlando Apollos (@aafAPOLLOS) February 24, 2019
Previously at home, the Apollos crushed the Atlanta Legend 40-6 and when they took their show on the road in Week 2, they outscored the San Antonio Commanders 37-29 in a stadium many AAF watchers feel is the toughest venue for an away team to play.
Orlando Apollos are a dynasty!
— Apollos Trump (@ApollosTrump) February 26, 2019
Everyone, it seems, is jumping on the Orlando bandwagon.
Spurrier Spurs Them On
Generally the theory in football is that defenses are ahead of offenses at the start of the season, but the Apollos are going against the grain in this train of thought.
WATCH: The Head Ball Coach tells it like it is. Even when the play doesn't work like they hoped.
@CBrueyWFTV hosts a new episode of @aafAPOLLOS Football w/ Head Coach Steve Spurrier tonight at 11pm on @WRDQ27 pic.twitter.com/jCNT6xLWVb
— Joe Kepner (@JoeKepner) February 28, 2019
A big reason why is head coach Steve Spurrier. He’s always carried a reputation as an offensive guru and one of Spurrier’s key assets is that he isn’t afraid to think outside the box and try to throw different wrinkles at the opposition in terms of trick plays.
The Orlando #Apollos have announced the inaugural "Steve Spurrier Cruise." It's a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas featuring Spurrier and his entire staff, where you get to talk football with them.
This is very much a real thing. https://t.co/bbpdGGFrY1 #AAF
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) February 24, 2019
You could say that Spurrier has them cruising right along and you wouldn’t be wrong.
Gilbert’s Got It
In football, it all starts under center and in Garrett Gilbert, the Apollos suit up the best quarterback in the AAF.
It’s not just about stats for Gilbert, although those are impressive – 48-of-81 for 827 yards passing with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
But Gilbert, an NFL-er with the Carolina Panthers, has also caught a touchdown pass this season and against Memphis, when the Express put a governor on Orlando’s stellar passing game, Gilbert showed he’s just as adept at pulling it down and running, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Even Orlando’s Dog Days Are Impressive
During last week’s win, a dog set a world record during the halftime show with an 83-yard frisbee reception.
This dog caught an 83-yard frisbee toss during halftime of the Orlando Apollos football game Saturday night. The PA announcer claims it’s an all-time record. Pretty impressive. pic.twitter.com/bLwCbFEzbG
— J.C. Carnahan (@JCCarnz) February 24, 2019
Yes, it seems wise to also anticipate that the Apollos will go long. And did we mention that the first AAF championship game is slated for Orlando?
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
