VSiN Playoff Game Two Point Spread
July 19, 2018 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Albany Empire News Release
The final two weeks for the Washington Valor could not have been better, and now its performance in the first game of this series sets up what is essentially a winner-take-all situation. The Valor pushed the Empire to overtime in its first game in our nation's capital in an offensive performance that has carried over the last two weeks. QB Arvell Nelson orchestrated scoring on eight of eleven drives and gave Washington the lead in overtime before the Valor's defense succumbed to Albany on a walk-off two-point conversion a drive later. The Valor has been extremely competitive in the last two weeks, but it has played three consecutive weeks at home. Will there be a drop off when the Valor have to hit the road for the first time since June 15?
The Empire defense has to be looking in the mirror as the team heads back home for the series finale with the AFL's lowest-seeded team. Since the beginning of June opponents have averaged 55.7 points per contest against Albany's once stout defense. The Empire even failed to force a turnover against the most turnover-prone team in the league. No concern for Albany on offense, as the team continues its scoring trend, posting more than 50 points for the seventh consecutive week. If the Empire want to move on to its first Arena Bowl, the improvement will need to be on defense.
Luckily for Albany, the road has not been kind to Washington this season. The Valor is just 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS away from Washington this season with a negative 101-point differential. The Valor's offensive output is essentially even both home and away, but the team allowed 44 more points on the road this season. After the close call last week, the Empire improved to 5-0 SU against Washington, but fall to 4-1 ATS against the Valor. The road struggles seem to be included in this line of 16 points, so I will abolish my anti-Valor betting promise from a month ago and back the underdog in a shootout.
VON TOBEL'S PICK: Washington, Over
Arena Football League Stories from July 19, 2018
- AFL Matchups Playoffs Game 2: Sights Set on ArenaBowl XXXI - AFL
- Philadelphia's James Romain Named Defensive Back of the Year - Philadelphia Soul
- Philadelphia's James Romain Named Defensive Back of the Year - AFL
- Trip to ArenaBowl XXXI on the Line - AFL
- Albany's Malachi Jones Named Receiver of the Year - AFL
- Albany Empire Game Notes and Matchup Preview - Playoff Game Two vs Washington Valor - Albany Empire
- VSiN Playoff Game Two Point Spread - Albany Empire
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