Aces Soar Over Raiders, Des Moines Struggles Continue in 0-2 Start
Written by Daniel Appleton
The Des Moines Raiders (0-2) played host to the surging Atlantic City Aces (2-0) in Week 2, and the Aces put on a dominant performance, showing that last season’s 1-13 record is well behind them. Despite being without star RB Kenneth Walker III, the Aces cruised to a 145.2-112.5 victory, marking their second straight win of the season.
Jefferson and Nabers Shine for Aces
Key performances from WR Justin Jefferson, who exploded with a 99-yard touchdown, and Rookie Malik Nabers, who led all scorers with an impressive 28.7 points, powered Atlantic City to victory. Jefferson’s consistency paired with Nabers’ breakout performance kept the Aces in the driver’s seat throughout the contest.
Raiders’ Struggles Continue
Meanwhile, the Des Moines Raiders are facing early-season woes for the second consecutive year. QB Anthony Richardson, a high-upside yet inconsistent option, continued to demonstrate his boom-or-bust nature, unable to provide the stability the Raiders need to succeed. Adding to the frustration, Des Moines’ decision-making in the flex positions has hurt the team’s potential for success, leading to a second straight defeat.
Week 3 Matchups
With the Raiders now at 0-2, they will be looking to rebound against the undefeated Moscow Black Bears (2-0) in a tough Week 3 matchup. On the other hand, the Aces will look to continue their undefeated run when they travel to Los Angeles to face the struggling USMC (0-2).
The Aces’ hot start is turning heads around the league, and after two convincing victories, they seem poised to erase the memory of last season’s disappointing campaign. Meanwhile, the Raiders are left searching for answers, hoping to avoid digging themselves into a deeper hole in the weeks to come.
