AAF Week 3 Review: Former Steelers help Birmingham Iron remain undefeated

Week 3 of the Alliance of American Football is in the books and the league still has two undefeated teams at the top of the standings, with the Birmingham Iron and Orlando Apollos both boasting 3-0 records. Fans saw their first upset of the season after the Salt Lake Stallions recorded a win over the Arizona Hotshots, despite being 4.5-point underdogs and those who picked the Memphis Express and Atlanta Legends must be questioning their decision with each team still winless.

The third week of AAF action also gave fans a chance to see the first ever successful onside conversion attempt in league history.

Week 3 results:

Arizona Hotshots 15 @ Salt Lake City Stallions 23

Memphis Express 17 @ Orlando Apollos 21

Birmingham Iron 28 @ Atlanta Legends 12

San Antonio Commanders 11 @ San Diego Fleet 31

With more former Pittsburgh Steelers players than any other team in the AAF, the Iron continue to impress behind the strong play of their defense led by potential league defensive MVP Jamar Summers. Released in the final round of cuts during training camp with the Steelers last year, the cornerback was among the standout performers once again this weekend recording his second interception of the season. He would also have four passes defended on the day

Teammate Casey Sayles had another strong week after recording a sack, a tackle for a loss and three quarterback hits and the former Pittsburgh player continues to show enough to suggest he might deserve another shot in training camp with an NFL team later in the year.

Wide receiver L’Damian Washington is also drawing high praise from his head coach Tim Lewis, both former Steelers.

Zach Mettenberger saw his first snaps of the season in relief of the continually ineffective Christian Hackenberg and was significantly better than the man he replaced. Perhaps even good enough to warrant keeping the starting role heading into Week 4. Mettenberger would complete 9 of 12 passes in two quarters of play for 120 yards and two touchdowns, Hackenberg by comparison was 8 of 14 for 88 yards and two interceptions.

The two players missed sharing time on Pittsburgh's roster by just one year, but Mettenberger can thank a fellow former member of the Black and Gold for his opportunity after linebacker Terence Garvin recorded Hackenberg’s second interception of the game.

The game between the San Antonio Commanders and San Diego Fleet featured strong performances from two running backs who once called Pittsburgh home. Trey Williams would lead the Commanders in rushing with 74 yards from seven carries, while Terrell Watson would end the day with 73 yards from 13 attempts and also scored a two-point conversion.

Highlights:

Arizona Hotshots 15 @ Salt Lake City Stallions 23

Memphis Express 17 @ Orlando Apollos 21

Birmingham Iron 28 @ Atlanta Legends 12

San Antonio Commanders 11 @ San Diego Fleet 31