The Alliance of American Football (AAF) came to a surprising end in Week 3, and a disappointing one for the team from Texas.

In their inaugural meeting, the San Antonio Commanders defeated the San Diego Fleet, 15-6, but in the rematch it was the Fleet who would get the best of the Commanders, 31-11. The Commanders defense was completely dominated at the line of scrimmage, allowing 202 rushing yards at a 7.2 yards-per-carry clip. It was a jarring result considering San Antonio only allowed an average of 82 rushing yards through their first two games of the season.

Even though the final score would suggest otherwise, there were plenty of moments that are worth revisiting. The game featured a number of explosive plays for both offenses, but in the end the Fleet proved to be overwhelming with their superior rushing attack.

The Commanders could not have dreamed of a better start to the game. On the very first play CB De’Vante Bausby intercepted Fleet QB Philip Nelson and added an 18-yard return.

Let's fill you in… Play #1 of the game. @_BigBaus ‼️ pic.twitter.com/iFVjKLeXva — San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) February 25, 2019

On the subsequent play, Commanders QB Logan Woodside would connect on a monstrous 47-yard play-action bomb to WR Mekale McKay.

McKay’s production through three games stands out. He is No.1 in the league with 27 targets and according to NoExtraPoints he is No.4 in air yards with 302. He continues to be a big-play threat for the Commanders.

The Commanders would convert on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt and the score was 8-0 early in the first quarter. Unfortunately, their touchdown on the opening drive would be the last time they would score in the half. Things started to fall apart for them following a pair of untimely penalties midway through the first quarter.

With 8:24 left in the first quarter the Commanders had a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty, pushing them out of the redzone. On the next play they would receive an offensive pass interference penalty that would knock them back another 10 yards.

Out of sheer desperation, on third-and-35, Woodside heaved a throw down the middle of the field. The play turned into a jump-ball situation for the Fleet defense and CB Jordan Martin came down with an easy interception.

Following the interception, the Fleet were able to grab the momentum with an impressive eight-play drive that spanned 11:49 of game time. They would eventually produce a touchdown but would fail on the two-point attempt, the score was 8-6.

It was shaping up to be a close contest by the end of the first quarter, but in the second quarter the Fleet began to pull away, starting with an ill-advised pass from Commanders QB Woodside. On the play Woodside stared down No. 2 receiver De’Marcus Ayers, and Fleet linebacker AJ Tarpley read the play for a game-changing turnover.

By halftime the Fleet led 22-8 but the Commanders still had the second-half to mount a comeback.

The Commanders failed to generate any points on their opening drive of the third quarter. Punting the ball at the 11:08 mark would give the Fleet an opportunity to put the game away with another score. League-leading rusher, RB Ja’Quan Gardner, produced the biggest AAF play of the season, an 83-yard jaunt down the middle of the field.

On the play TE Gavin Escobar operated as the fullback and made a good block on the isolated MIKE linebacker. To the boundary side, C Jeremiah Kolone and OG Damien Mama had a combo block on the DT, from there Mama was able to get to the second level and disrupted the WILL linebacker. Thanks to stellar up-front blocking, Gardner would barely be touched on the most explosive play of the AAF’s inaugural season.

Moving at a different pace compared to his competition, Gardner was the catalyst for the Fleet offense. His season has been dynamic with with 326 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.

The game was never within reach after the Gardner touchdown and the Commanders would eventually lose, dropping their record to 1-2 for the season. They were unable to adapt with the flow of the game and the end result speaks for itself.

The season is still young and San Antonio will have a chance to bounce back against the Birmingham Iron in Week 4 Birmingham is the only undefeated team left standing in 2019, with a record of 3-0.