Des Moines Metro Raiders Roll Over Anchorage Commandos in High-Scoring Affair
By Vic Thomas, Des Moines Register
In a Week 4 matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Des Moines Metro Raiders came out on top with a resounding victory, outscoring the Anchorage Commandos 171.5-148.3. The Raiders entered this contest as 12.9-point road underdogs, facing off against the red-hot Commandos. However, since a coaching change following a Week 2 loss to Montana, the Raiders have been a force to be reckoned with.
This game turned out to be the league’s highest-scoring spectacle of the week, but the final score didn’t quite capture the Raiders’ dominance. From the opening kickoff, it was evident that Des Moines was in control. Wide receiver AJ Brown and running back D’Andre Swift set the tone in the early games, while the dynamic Christian McCaffrey sealed the deal in the late window, earning the title of the league’s highest-scoring player on Sunday with an astounding 4 touchdowns and 54.7 fantasy points. The Commandos simply had no answer for the Raiders’ relentless ground game.
After the game, team owner Jon Dvorak couldn’t hide his satisfaction with his team’s performance. He stated, “I’m very happy with our team’s response so far. We had a rocky start at 0-2, but I trust our guys to keep the momentum going. We have nothing but respect for Anchorage.”
However, the victory did leave some questions lingering, particularly in the quarterback department. Brock Purdy had a solid outing, accumulating 23 points, but Justin Fields, who had been on the bench, finally came alive, throwing for over 300 yards and racking up 32.5 fantasy points. When asked about the possibility of a quarterback controversy, Dvorak responded, “My guess is we will evaluate on a week-to-week basis and roll with the hot hand.”
As the Raiders bask in the glory of their Week 4 triumph, it’s evident that they are on the upswing and poised to make a significant move up in the NAFC Power Rankings. With their next showdown looming, this time in Austin against the Oilers, Des Moines is undoubtedly a team to watch in the coming weeks. The Raiders have sent a clear message to the league: they are a force to be reckoned with, and they’re only getting started.
