Week 16 Team Rankings

1. Dallas Desperados: Dallas completed their regular season at home with a perfect 8-0 record after defeating New York 67-13 and are now 14-1 on the season and one short of a arena best 15-1 record. QB Clint Dolezel’s play was limited but still he threw four TDs and helped lead Dallas to their 14th victory of the season. Dolezel has 99 TDs on the year and is racing for arena football’s most valuable player. However he has gotten help from his defense led by DS Jermaine Jones who intercepted two passes last night, giving him seven on the year. Come playoff time, though, the record and stats won't matter. It will be about winning in the playoffs and playing mistake free football. (Last Week: 1)

2. San Jose Sabercats: San Jose picked up their 12th win of the season and 8th win at home after defeating division rival Arizona 66-26. QB Mark Grieb led the Sabercats, by throwing for nearly 250 yards and six TDs, four of which were caught by WR James Roe. San Jose's defense stepped up big time intercepting three passes off of Arizona QB Chris Sanders. With Mark Grieb about to complete another stellar season the Sabercats are riding a nine game winning streak and should make it ten when they take on lowly division rival Las Vegas to conclude the regular season. (Last Week: 2)

3. Georgia Force: The Force won their fourth straight game and improved to 13-2 on the season after defeating division rival Orlando 55-44. The most impressive thing in the win was Force QB Chris Greisen who in the second quarter against Orlando threw his third TD pass of the game--a 45 yard bomb to WR Chris Jackson. This pass gave Greisen the new AFL passing TD record in a season. Greisen concluded the game throwing for 323 yards and eight TDs, giving him 111 TD passes and counting on the year so far. One huge reason for Greisen's success this year has been WR Chris Jackson who has had career highs in receptions (138), receiving yards (1,834) and he has been in the endzone quite a bit catching 44 TDs this year. Next week Georgia will look to finish their season perfect at 8-0 if they can defeat New Orleans. (Last Week: 3)

4. Kansas City Brigade: While the Brigade’s 10-5 record is somewhat of a drop off from the top three teams, they have played great lately, winning four straight. Most recently the Brigade defeated Nashville 66-63. QB Raymond Philyaw led the Brigade offense and was backed by some stiff defense from the AFL's all time leading interception man DS Kenny McEntyre, who intercepted two passes and returned one of them 33 yards for a touchdown. If the Brigade can defeat division rival Chicago in next week’s regular season finale they win the division and keep a lot of momentum heading into the playoffs. (Last Week: 4)

5. Chicago Rush: Chicago is heating up again late in the season just like they did when they went on last year’s Arena Bowl run. Now at 11-4 after taking down division rival Colorado on Monday night Arena Football 66-57, the Rush are on track to win the division. But the Rush must beat division rival Kansas City next week to do so. Chicago will need another big game from WR Bobby Sippio who is having an outstanding season with 50 TDs on the year. Look for Chicago to play for the win and a division title in what I would say is the game of the week. (Last Week: 5)

6. Los Angeles Avengers: After puzzling play for the first three quarters of the season, the Avengers have seemed to put together something that’s working well. They have won the last three games, most recently a 60-42 decision at home over Las Vegas. With the win Los Angeles is 9-6 and will now host a home playoff game. Legendary Avenger former WR/LB Greg Hopkins’ jersey was retired at halftime last week. But even without Hopkins, it has been the Avenger's defense that has really stepped up. Perhaps most impressive is the defensive line led by Silas Demary, Reggie Rhodes, and Jason Stewart. Look for Los Angeles to try and close their season out on a four game winning streak when they take on division rival Utah to cap the regular season off. (Last Week: 7)

7. Tampa Bay Storm: Wow Tampa Bay has done what I would have never though they could have done after they started off their season 0-5. They have since then rallied, led by Rookie QB Brett Dietz to go 8-7 and most recently clinch a playoff berth with a 69-40 victory over Grand Rapids. Dietz has passed for 2,112 yards and 42 TDs on the season. Dietz is my pick for AFL rookie of the year and has helped completely turn the Storm around. But let’s not forget that the Tampa defense has been a big part of this team’s success. Tampa has a chance to make it a winning season when they take on division rival Austin next week. (Last Week: 8)

8. Philadelphia Soul: Insane would be a good word of choosing to describe Philadelphia's season. After starting the season off 4-0, the Soul fell down hard along with their leader QB Tony Graziani, and in his absence went 0-6. When Tony came back the Soul picked it up and are now 7-8 and thanks to a late second win over Columbus the Soul will be in the playoffs. In the win QB Tony Graziani was on his game throwing for 280 yards and 7 TDs, while rookie WR Larry Brackins hauled them in to catch four on the night. While Philly does not have to win against Orlando it would help avenge last year’s playoff loss to them and keep momentum on their side heading into the playoffs. (Last Week: 10)

9. Orlando Predators: Orlando has struggled and has lost three of their last four games, most recently to division winners Georgia 55-44. I am not going to say Orlando is the worst team to make the playoffs this year but they are not the finest. Orlando has yet to win against a team with a winning record, a fact which will cause concern come playoff time. Orlando needs some consistency from QB Shane Stafford and the Predators offense if they want to beat Philly next week and make any noise come playoff time. (Last Week: 9)

10. Colorado Crush: While Colorado has already clinched a playoff berth at 8-7 they are on a bad slide, loosing their last three outings. Colorado must regain some momentum for the playoffs. Colorado must get more consistent play from QB John Dutton as well. He has the weapons in Harrell and Quinnie but has made too many mistakes when the game is on the line. Dutton has thrown 18 Interceptions on the season, one shy of his career high. That must change if Colorado is going to go any were in the playoffs. (Last Week: 6)

11. Utah Blaze: Utah had a much needed but very late bye this season. Now in order for Utah to have a shot at the playoffs they must win or hope Nashville loses, along with a few other more obscure scenarios. That’s not what is on Utah's mind though. Recently they just lost teammate Justin Skaggs and that has weighed heavily on their hearts I am sure. I would like to take the time to say rest in peace Justin Skaggs, and best wishes to his family, friends, and the Utah Organization. (Last Week: 11)

12. Nashville Kats: Nashville dropped a tough one to Kansas City 66-63, putting them in a bind for a playoff spot. Nashville must win next week and get some help. Even if they finish at 7-9 I don’t think they would make it too far because of inconsistency on the offense. Rookie QB Matt Kohn got the start and played well by throwing five TDs, but his two interceptions hurt. On the bright side rookie WR Kenny Higgins has had a huge year so far catching 92 passes for 1,383 yards and 23 TDs. Higgins makes a strong case for rookie of the year. Furthermore FB Dan Alexander extended his TD rushing record. They should make the playoffs, but Alexander alone will not be enough to get them far. (Last Week: 12)

13. Columbus Destroyers: Columbus lost their 5th straight game and at a bad time. Although they played better than in recent weeks, they still lost 56-53 on essentially the last play of the game. QB Matt Nagy played well in throwing seven TDs, but he had two costly interceptions. However in the end it was the defense that brought the game to an end as Columbus could not stop Philadelphia QB Tony Graziani when the game was on the line. Now Columbus must win in order to make the playoffs or, very strangely, loose by eight or more points and hope that New Orleans gets the loss. The Destroyers should stop this loosing streak and defeat New York next week, especially with the playoffs on the line. (Last Week: 13)

14. New Orleans Voodoo: The Voodoo, who lead the league in attendance per game, last week gave their fans a good last home game by pulling out the victory over division rival Austin 66-61. Voodoo QB Steve Bellisari played well enough to help get New Orleans the victory, thanks in large part to WRs Kenny Henderson and Tyronne Jones who combined for six TDs on the night. Defensive linemen Henry Taylor proved his worth when New Orleans signed him last off-season, recording two key sacks and matching his total of eight on the season from last year. It has been a disappointing season for the Voodoo but perhaps if Georgia decides to rest their starters next week New Orleans can go out on a two game winning streak and build some momentum for next year. (Last Week: 15)

15. Austin Wranglers: ANot only did Austin drop their game against New Orleans 66-61 bringing their record to 4-11 on the season, but they also found out they have lost the Arena Football team. Well, not entirely, but Austin will be dropped down to the af2. The least Austin can do is go out with a win for the home crowd. If Austin can convince QB Lang Campbell to come with them to the af2 I think they may have a lot of success their. (Last Week: 17)

16. Grand Rapids Rampage: Grand Rapids lost their 3rd straight game. This time they were crushed by Tampa Bay 69-40, thanks in large part to seven turnovers which included five fumbles. Rampage QB Adrian McPherson showed shades of his old self running the ball well, but he was unable to pass efficiently against Tampa's defense. Perhaps Grand Rapids is the next team to drop down to the af2? (Last Week: 16)

17. Arizona Rattlers: Arizona lost their last game of the season in a bad way 66-26 to division rival San Jose, ending a very frustrating season of injuries and inconsistency. Now at 4-12 the changes have already begun with head coach Gene Nudo deciding to drop the head coach earphones and move up to the position of general manager for the Rattlers. They say change is good and they may get more change as the future of legendary QB Sherdrick Bonner is up in the air as well. Better luck next year Arizona. (Last Week: 13)

18. New York Dragons: New York ended their road schedule in embarrassing fashion by getting smashed for the second time this year by division rival Dallas 67-13. The Quarterback situation in New York is not good right now and if they want any shot next year they will need a healthy Aaron Garcia or perhaps its time to find a consistent young arm like Georgia did. Either way they have the talent in the receiving corps but must find a quarterback to throw to them. (Last Week: 18)

19. Las Vegas Gladiators: Las Vegas fell to a lowly 2-13 after they were defeated by division rival Los Angeles. While Las Vegas has one more game to go against division rival San Jose, it would be far better if their season would simply end now. No offense to Gladiator fans here but with the ownership and inconsistent play this team is not going anywhere. It could be a long wait for Las Vegas to have a winning team but a new owner would be a great start towards that goal. (Last Week: 19)