Two weeks in and we now have had all teams play at least once as Charleston wins to hold onto their spot within these rankings. The voters must be doing something right as we only saw two upsets based off last week’s rankings (#25 ABQ over #14 DEN & #17 VAN over #4 HOU). The D.C. Dragons as well as the Warriors of Chicago are off to surprising 0-2 starts to their season while we have Fort Worth, Florida and Baltimore, unsurprisingly, starting off at 2-0. Week 3 is a defining week for a lot of teams as they look to have a positive outlook on the early season and hopefully not put themselves in a hole that can be hard to climb out of.

VOTING BREAKDOWN 

Mike Ahl has come to his senses this week and was one of two to list the Toros at the top as well as see Denver fall 18(!) spots into no mans land. As a fellow numbers guy I can respect Mike’s process in looking at each season in a vacuum and basing his early rankings off of basic number stats like how much you score and how little you allow to get an idea of where teams should fall in these rankings. As the season progresses you can start to look at total wins as well as who they are beating to get those wins to help further refine your placements. After a 45-0 drubbing over what was a top 10 Carolina team the Toros look a bit stronger than a Florida team that edged by the #16 Dragons 16-7. With Florida on a bye week this will be the Toros’ change to woo other voters to their side; especially if they can have a similar showing against Atlanta. Elsewhere, Eddie Gauge continues his streak of underselling Arizona, Fenech drops the Predators 2 spots after a win and DC can probably thank Cherry & Walters for propping them up to hold onto the #16 spot.  

keep up the pace

#3 Baltimore Vultures (2-0)
Baltimore came out swinging this season by beating a Canton team that had their number all last season and took them out in OT to kick the season off. They’ve followed that up with taking care of an Indianapolis squad that was riding high off a rivalry win over Minnesota. The offense has been clicking with scoring at least 30 points both weeks and the Vultures are starting to look like the franchise that couldn’t be stopped back in the APF era. This week they have that Minnesota team that fell to the Ramblers but were able to right the ship vs Atlanta. By the transitive property of Indy beating Minny and Baltimore beating Indy then this should be a simple task; score 30+ again and force the Legend to post a season high in points.

#21 Albuquerque Atoms (1-1)
Now that was the kind of result we were expecting out of Swole and the Atoms but also how some out there were expecting Denver’s season to go. Regardless, the result is one to build from and to breed some confidence in their coaching staff and what they can get out of their roster. They have an off week before travelling to a high flying Vultures squad as well a run of games against elite teams in Fort Worth & Arizona but for a new expansion franchise they would do well to nab at least one win from the 3 to keep them in the mix as their schedule eases up and then make their push for a playoff position in their inaugural season.

pick up the pace

#16 D.C. Dragons (0-2)
Drawing a brand new team in the Tempo for Week 1 and having no clue what they may throw out is a tough hand to be dealt and then to follow that up with a game vs the 2 time defending champs in Florida has put the Dragons in an early hole after coming into the season with championship aspirations of their own. Step 1 of the comeback tour will be taking care of business against a Queen City team that is polling near or at the bottom of most ballots and getting an important first win on the season as well as the division. From there it is all about keeping that ball rolling and doubling their wins on the season and in the division as they play Canton. The big question is if their offense can start to click after posting only 17 points thru two weeks and being tied for last at 8.5 ppg.

#24 Los Angeles Lycans (0-2)
After showing a lot of promise Week 1 vs Arizona the Lycans scored early against Louisiana and looked to be in another tight contest until it all started to fall apart and the Revolution smothered there offense to only 3 more points. LA is in a new season and a new hole to dig out of and things aren’t getting much easier as they take on a #8 Nashville squad. The Portland Fleet are no more but it's starting to get worrisome as the Lycans begin to reflect the early season hype into the in-season disappointment. The coaching is there to make a deep run but the results need to start sooner rather than later to make it a reality.

week 3 premier matchup

#9 Vancouver Legion @ #5 Canton Classics(-4.5) | O/U 54.5 | JULY 28th 6:45 PM EST
Both teams saw themselves fall in close games on the road to then come back home and demolish the visiting team. This week Canton has the honors of hosting and has only lost 6 times at Fatherhood Festival Field in 29 appearances. Vancouver’s offense was almost non-existent vs Carolina but they have seemingly found what can work after putting up 51 on a top 5 Houston squad and will look to continue to feast on top teams and become one themselves on Sunday vs Canton.