AAF Week 8 Betting Preview & Picks

There are three weeks remaining in the inaugural season for the Alliance of American Football, which means that the final push for the postseason is getting real. Memphis signed Johnny Manziel at quarterback — but Johnny Football was on the bench while Memphis came back to beat Birmingham in overtime. Orlando continued its winning ways, rolling to a 36-6 laugher over Atlanta on the road. San Antonio edged Salt Lake City at home, 19-15, last week, while Arizona routed San Diego at home, 32-15. We have your AAF Week 8 betting preview for this week’s action as teams jostle for playoff positioning.

AAF Week 8 Betting Preview & Picks

The playoff picture heading into Week 8. 🏈#JoinTheAlliance pic.twitter.com/12vD1R9teK

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) 26 de marzo de 2019

Saturday, March 30

Orlando at Memphis (2:00pm ET, Bleacher Report Live)

Orlando bounced back nicely from their Week 7 loss, as they clinched a playoff spot by rolling Atlanta. If they win this week, or if Birmingham loses to Atlanta, then the Apollos would have the top seed coming out of the East Division, which means they would have at least one home game in the postseason. The Apollos continue to get stellar passing out of Garrett Gilbert and creative head coaching from Steve Spurrier. Memphis is 2-5, but that record is somewhat deceiving, as those two wins have been terrific. In their victories, they trailed and then put together impressive rallies to beat San Diego and Birmingham. Quarterback Brandon Silvers led the comeback effort against Birmingham and has all the momentum going into Week 8. What will Memphis do with Johnny Manziel? The league’s newest X-factor may be a non-factor is Silvers can keep the team headed toward a postseason spot. AAF Week 8 Prediction: Orlando 31, Memphis 27

San Diego at Salt Lake City (8:00pm ET, NFL Network)

San Diego had a great chance to create separation in the West Division standings by beating Arizona last week, but the loss sent them to 3-4 instead of 4-3. If San Diego can beat Salt Lake City, then they remain a factor in the West Division. If they lose up in Utah, though, they will fall out of contention for the division. A defense-first team, San Diego needs to impose its will on the game early — and Salt Lake City may not have the talent to turn the tide. Salt Lake City is also 2-5, but four of their losses have been by a combined 18 points, so by an average of 4 ½ points per game. This team could very easily be 4-3. The Stallions ride their defensive line, which plugs holes for running backs and gets after passers. The problem for Salt Lake City is their offense, and if they can’t find ways to score points at home against a stout San Diego defense, then they will be eliminated from the division race. AAF Week 8 Prediction: Salt Lake City 16, San Diego 13

Sunday, March 31

Atlanta at Birmingham (4:00pm ET, CBS Sports)

Atlanta is 2-5, but on the season they have a point differential of -117, easily the worst in the AAF. The second-worst is Memphis, at -39. That’s a major difference. They added a -30 to that total just last week alone, against Orlando’s high-octane offense, and now they face the second-best team in the league when they head to Birmingham. Birmingham led by double figures in the fourth quarter last week, only to see Memphis storm back to force overtime and then steal a win. With Atlanta coming to town, Birmingham should be able to take out some frustration. Of course, if Birmingham comes out slow and looks like they are feeling sorry for themselves, the Iron could find themselves at 4-4. AAF Week 8 Prediction: Birmingham 27, Atlanta 9

Arizona at San Antonio (8:00pm ET, NFL Network)

The best matchup of the week takes place in the Lone Star State, as San Antonio looks to go to 6-2 at home. The Commanders took an interception back to the house when Salt Lake went for two last week, and that made the difference. Now San Antonio has a four-game winning streak, and that should lead to a raucous crowd. Arizona started the season on fire, and then fell off the table, but now they find themselves on the way back up. Arizona could take one of the top two spots in the West if they can win on the road here. Will wide receiver Rashad Ross play? Check the final injury reports before you lock in your wagers. AAF Week 8 Prediction: San Antonio 20, Arizona 16