The first full-ish slate of the season took place last week and boy was it a something. Every favorite covered in a blowout and so far, the gap is looking very wide between the top and bottom of the league. But you can read more about Week 1 here.
But let's get to the REAL storyline of Week 1 -- the picks.
AF1 Week 1 Review
Billings-Oregon U70.5 - Loser
Combined for 114 points woof
Salina +2.5 - Loser
Corpus Christi wins 40-12
SW Kansas-Washington O80.5 - Winner
Combined for 106 points
Now, Salina was dead in the water immediately. Javin Kilgo going full Jameis and throwing 6 INTs made it impossible for the Liberty to win that game. I should have known better.
But Billings-Oregon U70.5, on the other hand -- a lesser man would point out that the refs were constantly stopping the clock throughout the game and were giving each team more scoring opportunities than rules permit, thus the U70.5 actually had a fighting chance if the game was played under correct officiating -- but that's not me, I won't make that excuse.
We dig into the analytics and the manalytics for small slate in Week 2.
2025 AF1 Record: 2-2
LET'S FIND SOME WINNERS!
Southwest Kansas Storm vs Albany Firebirds (Friday 3/21 @ 7 PM ET)
The Play: Albany -6.5
We have an interesting collision of teams here, where the SW Kansas Storm are 2-0 heading into Week 2, while Albany will be making their season debut in this one.
Will the reps for SW Kansas benefit them more or less than Albany having film on them to be able to account for what they will try to do on each side of the ball?
SW Kansas has gone out and handled business the first couple weeks of the season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. More than a dozen forced turnovers will put you in a good position to be 2-0.
But Albany probably has one of the most anticipated debuts in recent indoor & arena football memory with QB Sam Castronova coming back to Albany for the first time since the infamous 2023 season. Castronova was outstanding tin the IFL last year, accounting for 96 TDs through the air and the ground combined and took home the IFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Albany has proven that Coach Damon Ware's system will score points in bunches, so it's gonna be on SW Kansas to slow down the Albany attack and keep pace with the Firebirds.
I think we see Albany debut with a win and cover easily at home.
Prediction: 51-40 Albany
Oregon Lightning vs Washington Wolfpack (Saturday 3/22 @ 9 PM ET)
The Play: Over 80.5
AF1 After Dark. That should be enough to take the over here.
But let's take a look at Week 1 for each of these teams. Washington was able to score 33 points against a strong SW Kansas defense while figuring their life out on offense and working new playmakers into their system.
Oregon got boatraced by Billings but managed to put up a respectable 36 points. Both teams will be encountering an easier opponent (each other) than they had last week and fully anticipate seeing an improvement in offensive play.
Washington's wide receiver group is among the best in the league on paper, but now it's time to prove it.
Oregon's wide receiver group had some explosive plays last week early against Billings, but now they have to prove it wasn't a fluke.
Points, points, points
Prediction: 53-44 Washington
Godspeed to all of you and let's have ourselves a weekend.
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