AFL POWER POLL WEEK 5
AFL Power Poll - Week 5
(CURRENT) (TEAM) (W/L RECORD) (LAST WEEKS RANK)
1) Nashville Kats (3-1) (LW: 3) The Kats physical nature got the
best of the defending champs last Saturday night, and they
avenged last year's heartbreaking home loss to the Crush in
dominating fashion. As I stated before the season started, this
roster is loaded with the most talent I've ever seen for every
facet of the indoor game. They knocked off the previous #1 with
ease, and look to be atop this poll for many weeks to come. Up
next is a date against Grand Rapids who's gotten healthy at home
against the West the last two weeks. This one could get real
UGLY folks!!!
2) Austin Wranglers (4-0) (LW: 6) The Wranglers showed a ton of
moxie last week by going into the American Airlines Center and
knocking off the then undefeated Desperados. They now sit as the
only undefeated team in the league, and have to be taken
seriously by all AFL brethren as a legitimate squad. What's
turned the Wranglers fortunes around is their defensive play.
DS's Mason & Franklin were definitely gifts from the football
gods, and their play has made their D-Line's rush that much
better. To hold the potent Dallas offense scoreless in the third
quarter was quite a feat, especially in the Despo's barn. Up
next is game four of their ridiculous five-game road trip to
open the season vs. the Storm.
3) Philadelphia Soul (3-1) (LW: 4) The Soul could do no wrong
this past Sunday as they took it to the division rival Dragons
from the opening kick-off. The offense was spectacular led by
the comeback of QB Tony Graziani who threw for 282 yards and six
TDs, but it was the defense that forced four turnovers leading
directly to 27 Philadelphia points en route to the 75-59
dismantling. HC Bret Munsey has all the makings of a
championship caliber team. An impressive home win vs. the
defending champs this week will only give this squad that much
more confidence.
4) Colorado Crush (3-1) (LW: 1) It really was only a matter of
time before the defending champs were humbled, and that's
exactly what happened this past weekend in Nashville. Sure, this
league is predicated on offensive play, but you have to be able
to stop your opponents every once in awhile. At this juncture,
the Crush got by with some solid last second victories, but the
defense is going to fail them more times than not if some
changes aren't made. Teams with physical defenses and above
average offenses will be able to take care of this team. Another
tough host waits this Sunday as well in the City of Brotherly
Love.
5) Orlando Predators (3-1) (LW: 7) I'll be the first to admit
that I had no faith in the Preds being able to win the first I-4
battle last weekend, but they shocked me and many others in one
of the most exciting battles of the young season. Even though
Tampa made an unbelievable comeback to tie it in regulation, you
just had a feeling HC Jay Gruden's guys were going to get the
job done. That being said, the roster was cut short once again
in the victory with some huge injuries that will most definitely
affect the team's play in the coming weeks. Up next is a trip to
the Big Apple to take on the Dragons in a rematch of last
season's playoff game.
6) Georgia Force (2-2) (LW: 8) Now that's the defense we had
become so used to witnessing a year ago when the Force parlayed
it with a potent offense all the way to the ArenaBowl. Sure, the
"D" gave up over 300 yards passing, but it came up with three
crucial INT's by rookie DS Chris Brown en route to the 54-34
road win. Hopefully the defense feeds off the momentum of this
great effort, because the young guys will be looked upon to help
keep this team a contender in the South. Up next is the first of
two divisional home games that the Force must win to get back in
the thick of the divisional race.
7) Chicago Rush (2-2) (LW: 10) Finally!!! The Rush grabbed
themselves an easy win, and didn't have to hold their collective
breath on the last play of the game. Chicago erased any
misguided premonitions of Los Angeles "Avenging" its first round
playoff loss from a year ago. The Rush dominated in every facet
of the game, and answered every push LA made with another punch
to the gut. QB Matt D'Orazio was highly efficient, the defense
swarmed led by ADT DEF player of the game Jeremy Unertl, and the
special teams added the extra flavor to an overall explosive
performance by the visitors. The Rush will look to get over the
.500 mark this Sunday afternoon vs. the slumbering Sabercats in
the first of three home games.
8) Dallas Desperados (3-1) (LW: 2) The Despo's looked primed and
ready for a blow-out victory at home over Austin last Friday
night, but quickly saw its 28-7 2nd quarter advantage get wiped
away in the closing minutes of the first half. This loss showed
just how mortal this team is, and that you can rattle them by
playing physical defense against their solid group or WRs.
Austin's offensive speed really gave the Despo's defense a very
hard time as well, which is something HC Will McClay will work
on this week as they get ready to host Las Vegas. A win here is
a must as they're set to go on their longest road trip of the
season the following three weeks.
9) Tampa Bay Storm (2-2) (LW: 5) It took the Storm a quarter's
worth of play to realize they were battling their biggest rival,
but their performance the rest of the way was fantastic even
though they fell short in OT. QB Shane Stafford completed 36 of
his 52 passes for a whopping 458 total yards, but wasn't able to
get anything done in OT after getting sacked on their first play
from scrimmage. The Storm needs to convert at a better
percentage on third down, and avoid the costly turnovers if
indeed they plan on making any noise this year. They could wipe
away the bitter taste of this defeat with a solid home win vs.
the undefeated Wranglers this Saturday night.
10) New York Dragons (2-2) (LW: 9) It certainly wasn't the
performance of the season, but what did you really expect from
this team after squaring off with Utah the week before in the
second highest scoring game in AFL history? This squad clearly
has no defense as evidenced by the 65 PPG and 300+ YPG it's
given up through the air in the first month of play, but it
boasts an electric offense led by QB Aaron Garcia that's capable
of outscoring anyone in this league on any given day. Expect the
Dragons to be ecstatic to get back in the comfy confines of the
Nassau Coliseum after its three game road trip to take on the
injury riddled Predators.
And the rest....
11) Grand Rapids Rampage (2-2) (LW: 15) 12) Kansas City Brigade
(1-3) (LW: 17) 13) Las Vegas Gladiators (1-3) (LW: 13) 14)
Columbus Destroyers (1-3) (LW: 11) 15) Utah Blaze (1-3) (LW: 12)
16) San Jose Sabercats (1-3) (LW: 14) 17) Arizona Rattlers (1-3)
(LW: 18) 18) Los Angeles Avengers (1-3) (LW: 16)