AAF Week 5: Salt Lake Stallions at San Diego Fleet

Stallions Place a Fleet Team in Transition

The San Diego Fleet host the Salt Lake Stallions in week five of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) action. Everyone in the Western Conference has a 1-1 divisional record, so tonight's winners will take a step forward in the crowded field.

Salt Lake Stallions at San Diego Fleet

Stallions (1-3), San Diego Fleet (2-2)

Date: Saturday, March 9 | Time: 8 p.m. ET | Line: Fleet -5.5; O/U: 35.
Location: SDCCU Stadium -- San Diego, California
TV: NFL Network | Live stream:fuboTV (Free Trial)   

The Fleet have turned the reins back over to Mike Bercovici after Philip Nelson broke his collarbone last week in Memphis. Bercovici started in Week 1 against the San Antonio Commanders. He struggled behind an offensive line that was still trying to find its footing. They almost got him killed by allowing six sacks.

The line has established itself since and definitely has played better. Left guard Damien Mama is not expected to play with an ankle injury, but they have enough experience to be fine. Bercovici has looked like a different player in practice this week. He has been throwing with considerably more confidence and accuracy. If the Arizona State product can translate that into the game on Saturday, it could set the Fleet offense up for a big day. He is up against a defense that allows big yards in the passing game. The Stallions are allowing an average of 231 yards per game.

The Fleet will also be looking to rediscover their running game after abandoning it last week at Memphis. In two previous home games, Ja’Quan Gardner has 226 yards combined rushing. The Stallions have been tough against opposing running games this season. They are surrendering less than 100 yards per game. The passing game will be key to opening this up.

Stallions Playing Betting Week to Week

Stallions quarterback Josh Woodrum is looking to build on his most recent outing. He had a completion percentage of 73% in Week 4 against the Orlando Apollos, the No. 1 team in the Alliance. His throwing is supported by running back Joel Bouagnon. He has now scored three touchdowns and is No. 7 in the league in rushing yards with 184 years. Wide receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El who has 149 receiving yards going into Game 5 is a weapon the Fleet will have to deal with.

They will be going up against a Fleet defense that has racked up 16 sacks and five interceptions this season. They are literally terrorizing offenses in stretches of games. The Stallions’ offensive linemen will have to protect Woodrum from the Fleet’s star defensive linemen. Shakir Soto, Damontre Moore and Alex Barrett are a trio no quarterback wants to stare at across the line of scrimmage. The Fleet's defense is averaging four sacks and at least one interception per game, so they are not chopped liver. The Stallions’ offensive line has only allowed an average of two sacks per game, but that will be tested today. Stallions quarterbacks have only thrown two interceptions this season.

Stallions receivers Pierson-El and Adonis Jennings, along with tight end Anthony Denham will be matching up against the Fleet’s aggressive and productive secondary. Defensive backs Kendall James and Ryan Moeller will be looking to break up big throws. Long, sustained drives by the offense will help the Stallions go a long way toward a win.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

Saturday night's game is going to be interesting. It features a team that has played better than its record and a team that just lost its starting quarterback for the remaining regular season. This is a chance for the Stallions to get a much-needed win, on the road at that. They can take a step forward in the West, where every team is 1-1 in the division. The Stallions' running game with Branden Oliver vs. the Fleet's defensive front will be the matchup to watch. I'm going to go with the team that isn't trying to patch things together at quarterback. Especially if I am getting 5.5 points.

Pick: Salt Lake Stallions +5.5, Under 35

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