Nate Scott

For The Win

The AAF stormed into our lives last weekend, offering desperate football fans a fix of moderate play, interesting team names, and a chance to watch the game we all love so dear.

Ratings were surprisingly good, and quickly had people chatting about its possible longevity as a developmental league for the NFL that lets people enjoy football in the offseason.

I'm not quite sure we're there yet. The AAF had a new shine on it last week, and got plenty of gawking eyeballs which might not ever come back. But heading into Week 2, the league has the advantage of going against a pretty desolate sports weekend.

And while I remain unconvinced that the AAF has a long and bright future ahead of it (I enjoy it, but need to see this momentum carry a bit farther), this weekend should see it get another bump in ratings.

Why? There's just not a lot else on for sports fans.

The NBA is in its All-Star Game doldrums this weekend, and thanks to an extremely subpar year for dunk contest entrants - the field this year is Miles Bridges, John Collins, Hamidou Diallo, and Dennis Smith Jr., which hoo buddy - I'm not sure anyone will tune in until the actual game, which is never good.

There's no Premier League this weekend, with the popular soccer league taking off to allow teams to play in the FA Cup. The FA Cup schedule is pretty bleak as well, with the only big game coming Monday for Chelsea vs. Manchester United.

College basketball has only a few marquee games this weekend, with the one probably considered "must watch" being Tennessee - Kentucky, which doesn't tip off until 8 p.m. ET.

Same with the NHL. Rangers vs. Penguins on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET is a lovely little matchup, and we get to see the juggernaut Lightning side take on a fun Canadiens team on Saturday, but otherwise … not a lot.

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The AAF on the other hand, has a full slate of weekend games, spreading them out across a bevy of networks and times to make sure there's football on for much of the weekend. Salt Lake Stallions at Birmingham Iron starts us off at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday on TNT, followed by the Arizona Hotshots at Memphis Express at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

Sunday has the Orlando Apollos at the San Antonio Commanders for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS Sports Network, then the Atlanta Legends at San Diego Fleet at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

Will it be great? Maybe. The QB play is a bit iffy, but it's football. And on a weekend when not a lot else is going on, people will tune in.

Baseball has pitchers and catchers. CFB is in a dark time. NFL hasn't ramped up draft hype. It's a three-day weekend, and people will be home, wanting to watch some sports.

It's the AAF's time, and they better hope these games take advantage of it.