The Express are due.

Memphis’ first-year Alliance of American Football team (0-3) has yet to taste victory but has lost by a combined six points in its last two games.

Their struggles notwithstanding, the Express have not lost confidence. They welcome the San Diego Fleet (2-1) to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium at 3 p.m. Saturday (livestreamed on B/R Live).

Here are five things to keep an eye on.

Zach Mettenberger, obviously

All eyes are always on the quarterback, with very few exceptions.

The Express had enough of Christian Hackenberg after 10 subpar quarters. Now, it’s up to Zach Mettenberger to pilot an offense that was easily the worst in the AAF before he breathed life into it in the second half of last week’s loss at Orlando.

“I fully expect (our receivers) to execute at a high level,” Mettenberger said. “Just as they expect me to put the ball where I need to. Really, I hold all the guys to a high standard.”

When asked whether he had already developed a connection with any of the receivers, the former Tennessee Titan and LSU Tiger said yes.

“The man who does his job,” he said.

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Good vibes

Despite Memphis being viewed by many as one of the worst teams in the AAF, the Express have made progress. Coaches and players believe they’re on the cusp of breaking out.

“We’re a team on the verge of something really special,” coach Mike Singletary said earlier this week. “We just have to taste it for the first time and go from there. (But) I feel we’re very close.”

Mettenberger called Singletary “antsy” for a win.

“Really, all of us are,” Mettenberger said. “We just want to get out there and finally put a full game together. Show what we can be and really make people in Memphis proud.”

If the Express are to get over the hump, they’ll have to do it against a Fleet squad that is tied for first place in the Western Conference.

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Fleet: By the numbers

Mike Martz’s San Diego team ranks third in the league in point differential, outscoring its opponents by 23 points through three games.

One might assume a team led by Martz – the architect of the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” offense from the early 2000s – would be scoring points aplenty. Not so. In fact, the Fleet rank fourth (out of eight teams in the AAF) in points per game (20.3).

But Singletary’s not buying the smell test.

“We’re going to see a lot of different formations. We just have to be on our Ps and Qs, and really be ready to make the necessary adjustments to keep up with those formations,” he said.

Mike Martz: The run-game guru?

While San Diego hasn’t set AAF scoreboards on fire yet, it’s not for a lack of success on the ground.

The Fleet are setting the pace so far with 161 rushing yards per game, led by Ja’Quan Gardner whose 288 yards are easily most of any running back in the league. Terrell Watson (ninth in the AAF with 132 rushing yards) has helped enhance San Diego’s rushing attack.

“It’s very interesting to see Mike Martz really run the ball,” Singletary said. “They’ve got two good backs and with that offensive line, they’re coming at ya. So, that’s pretty interesting to see from coach Martz.”

Defensive discrepancy

The Express defense is one of the best in the AAF, routinely putting the clamps on some of the league’s most productive offenses.

The Apollos averaged 38.5 points a game after two weeks, but Memphis held them to just 21. The Express also held the Arizona Hotshots under their average by almost a touchdown in Week 2.

But the fourth quarter has been a problem. Memphis is giving up 55.2 percent of its points and more than 40 percent of its yards this season in the fourth quarter alone.

Singletary said those numbers aren’t lost on him.

“Tackling has been an issue. We will correct that,” he said. “That’s just having the right attitude and finishing out a game. You work your tail off for three quarters, close it out. We’re going to continue to focus on that and have that be the thing we strive for all week. Put that at the forefront of our minds.”

Some have wondered whether time of possession (usually a direct correlation of an offense’s ineffectiveness) has had a hand in the defense wearing down late in games. The Express rank fourth in the AAF with an average time of possession of 30:25.

“I was talking to the defense not long ago,” Singletary said. “’It doesn’t matter what the offense does. You’re main concern is stopping the other team.’ All of the other things, ‘The offense – man they’ve gotta do something. That makes us tired.’ You know what, you have to take ownership and you have to know yourself. If you need extra running, do it.”

Bonus: Depth chart changes

Besides the change at quarterback, the Express have done some significant lineup shuffling this week.

Elsewhere on offense, Toby Weathersby is set to return to left tackle after missing last week’s game with an undisclosed injury. Also, Gerrard Sheppard was listed as the starting tight end last week. For the game against the Fleet, Brandon Barnes is set to start there, while Sheppard is listed as the backup X wide receiver.

Defensively, Memphis started last week’s game against the Apollos in a 4-2-5 scheme. The depth chart released by the team earlier this week indicates it plans to open in a 4-3 set. To that end, DeMarquis Gates is back in the starting lineup at linebacker.

On the defensive line, Greg Gilmore replaces Julius Warmsley at tackle. Justin Martin will get the nod at cornerback in place of Jeremy Cutrer.

Also, Colton Jumper has made the move from linebacker to safety, where he will start over Brandon Maiden this week.

More AAF coverage from The CA

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