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1- Arizona Rattlers (6-0): After scraping out a win against Utah in overtime last week, the Rattlers learned they certainly can’t rest on their flawless record. Cleveland Browns receiver Rod Windsor, who signed with the Rattlers during the NFL lockout, contributed to the win with three TD receptions. This Week: @Spokane Shock, April 30, 10 p.m.
2- Jacksonville Sharks (5-1-0): Game of the week. If anyone can stop the streaking Sharks it would be the Predators and their offensive attack. However, if Jacksonville’s defense is as stifling as it has been in the last four games, the Sharks will end up 6-1. This Week: Orlando Predators, April 30, 8 p.m.
3- San Jose SabreCats (5-2): The Cats are clawing their way up the rankings after consecutive wins at Utah, Tulsa, and Philadelphia. However their winning streak will have to wait until next week to continue. This Week: Bye
4- Georgia Force (4-2): After dropping a game to division rival Orlando, the Force bounced back to pick up a win against Milwaukee. A victory over the Power would keep them close to the top in a tough division. This Week: Pittsburgh Power, April 30, 7:30 p.m.
5- Dallas Vigilantes (4-2): When Dallas picked up their first road win last week in a high scoring game against Tampa Bay, they already eclipsed their last year’s win record. This week they face KC for a second time, beating the Command earlier in the season. This Week: @Kansas City Command, April 29, 8:30 p.m.
6- Orlando Predators (4-2): Two weeks ago Nick Hill and the Predators looked like contenders for the top spot. Then they had losses to Arizona and a tough Shock team. Orlando can still move into a tie for first with a win against the Sharks. This Week: @Jacksonville Sharks, April 30, 8 p.m.
7- Chicago Rush (4-2): Russ Michna threw 4 TD’s last week in a losing effort against KC. A surge in the second quarter by the Command was enough to stifle Rush efforts to get back in the game. This Week: New Orleans Voodoo, April 30, 8 p.m.
8- Cleveland Gladiators (3-2): The Gladiators season certainly looked a lot different three weeks ago. After handing the VooDoo their only win in a close game, Cleveland picked up another loss to the Sharks. This Week: Tulsa Talons, April 29, 7:30 p.m.
9- Utah Blaze (3-3): If a team has to take a loss, make it an overtime loss against the league leading Rattlers. Brandon Taylor was named the AFL week 7 Defensive Player of the Week. The Blaze, league scoring leaders, will face Georgia after a week off. This Week: Bye
10- Pittsburgh Power (3-3): Anthony Morelli and the Power have shown they can win but now needs to show they can win against upper tier teams. Sorting out their quarterback issues would help. Morelli is the third starting QB this season for Pittsburgh. This Week: @Georgia Force, April 30, 7:30 p.m.
11- Spokane Shock (2-4): The Shock players have their hands full this week with the Davila-led Rattlers. Their own Kyle Rowley also has good passing numbers, which contributed to their defeat of the Predators. The win proved, despite their record, they can play with the top teams in the league. This Week: Arizona Rattlers, April 30, 10 p.m.
12- Kansas City Command (2-4): The Command hopes to treat Dallas similar to the way they treated Chicago last week – by handing them a loss. Plus they can avenge their loss to the Vigilantes in the first game of the season. This Week: Dallas Vigilantes, April 29, 8:30 p.m.
13- Iowa Barnstormers (2-4): Iowa has suffered two heartbreaking last minute losses in a row. That makes three straight losses, all in their division. This Week: Philadelphia Soul, April 30, 8:05 p.m.
14- Tampa Bay Storm (2-4): QB Grant Gregory and AFL Offensive Player of the Week, receiver Huey Whittaker, connected for five touchdowns in a 67-61 loss to Dallas. Tampa QB Brian Zbysniewski added three TD’s in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough to get past Dallas. This Week: @Milwaukee Mustangs, April 30, 8 p.m.
15- Tulsa Talons (2-4): The Talons scored 20 points higher than their average score last week in a win against Iowa, topping Brad Banks and his 9-TD game. Tulsa is ranked number one for rushing but number 17 for passing yards. This Week: @Cleveland Gladiators, April 29, 7:30 p.m.
16- Philadelphia Soul (1-5): A Soul 34-point fourth-quarter rally fell short as Mark Grieb led the SaberCats past Philadelphia for the Soul’s fifth straight loss. The last time they met was in the 2008 ArenaBowl XXII, where the Soul beat the Cats. This Week: @Iowa Barnstormers, April 30, 8:05 p.m.
17- Milwaukee Mustangs (1-5): RJ Archer threw three interceptions last week, giving the Mustangs their second loss in a row. Georgia’s Brett Elliott threw a season high seven TD’s against the Milwaukee defense. This Week: Tampa Bay Storm, April 30, 8 p.m.
18- New Orleans VooDoo (1-5): Despite their dismal record, the VooDoo team has two reasons to be optimistic this week. First, they aren’t playing at home, where they are 0-4. Second, their lone win was against the Gladiators, showing they can beat good teams. This Week: @Chicago Rush, April 30, 8 p.m.
Ted Hegemann may be contacted at TedHegemann@gmail.com
