AFL Power Rankings: Week 17
John Hoh
Thursday May 19, 2005
Georgia has surprised many in taking the top record in the National Conference. Can they maintain that momentum in the playoffs? Or will their lack of playoff experience hurt them?
New Orleans and San Jose fared poorly compared to expectations of both teams. Dallas and Philadelphia brought in talent expecting to challenge for the ArenaBowl. Both will be watching the playoffs on NBC just like most of us.
Playoff seedings as of the end of week 16:
American:
- +*Colorado Crush (10-5)
- +*Los Angeles Avengers (10-5)
- Chicago Rush (8-7)
- San Jose SaberCats (8-7)
- Las Vegas Gladiators (8-7)
- Nashville Kats (6-8-1)
- Arizona Rattlers (6-9)
- Grand Rapids Rampage (3-12)
National:
- @+*Georgia Force (11-4)
- +*New York (9-6)
- Orlando Predators (9-6)
- Tampa Bay Storm (9-6)
- New Orleans VooDoo (9-6)
- Dallas Desperados (7-7-1)
- Philadelphia Soul (6-9)
- Austin Wranglers (6-10)
- Columbus Destroyers (2-13)
* Clinched playoff berth
+ Clinched Division Crown
@ Clinched Conference Top Seed
Herein are the Power Rankings for Week 17.
| Rank | Team | Record | Previous Rank | Next Up |
| 1 | Georgia Force (GA) | 11-4 | 1 | @SJ |
| Force clinches top seed in the conference playoffs. Will the Force rest its players this week against the SaberCats? | ||||
| 2 | Colorado Crush (COL) | 10-5 | 2 | @NY |
| Colorado Crush-ed the Kats from Nashville, crushing Nashville's hopes for a winning campaign and slim shot at playoffs. Seek to secure top seed in conference. | ||||
| 3 | Los Angeles Avengers (LA) | 10-5 | 4 | @GR |
| Avengers take first division crown and seek top seed in conference. Travel to Grand Rapids for season finale. Rampage playing good football down the stretch. | ||||
| 4 | Orlando Predators (ORL) | 9-6 | 5 | NO |
| Predators still in fight for playoff spot with Tampa Bay and New Orleans. Hosts the VooDoo from New Orleans. The winner of this game goes to the playoffs, the loser likely stays home. | ||||
| 5 | New York Dragons (NY) | 9-6 | 3 | COL |
| Despite loss, Dragons take division. Loss secures top spot for Georgia. Dragons might rest starters this game. | ||||
| 6 | Tampa Bay Storm (TB) | 9-6 | 8 | @CLB |
| Storm should keep their record playoff appearance streak intact when they travel to Columbus. Destroyers haven't destroyed too much this season. | ||||
| 7 | New Orleans VooDoo (NO) | 9-6 | 6 | @ORL |
| VooDoo is on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. Need to win against Orlando to make the playoffs. The problem? The game is at the Jungle. | ||||
| 8 | San Jose SaberCats (SJ) | 8-7 | 7 | GA |
| Three straight SaberCat losses leaves San Jose still scrambling for the playoffs. Just when it seemed the SaberCats had put it back together. Host the Force, who own the best record. Perhaps the Force will rest up for the playoffs to give the S'Cats a chance? | ||||
| 9 | Chicago Rush (CHI) | 8-7 | 11 | @NAS |
| Last week I wrote: "Chicago likely remembers the close call in Grand Rapids. It's doubtful the game at Allstate Arena will be close." Well, I was right. | ||||
| 10 | Las Vegas Gladiators (LV) | 8-7 | 9 | AZ |
| Hope is still alive. A win and either Rush or SaberCat loss puts the Glads in the playoffs. Of course, the Gladiators can only get a home game if they get to the ArenaBowl. | ||||
| 11 | Nashville Kats (NAS) | 6-8-1 | 12 | CHI |
| Kats come crashing to turf in a Mile High freefall. Hey, they had a good inaugural campaign! Columbus and Grand Rapids fans would love to have Nashville's record right now. | ||||
| 12 | Dallas Desperados (DAL) | 7-7-1 | 10 | PHI |
| Need to win against Philly for winning record in a game of disappointing teams. | ||||
| 13 | Philadelphia Soul (PHI) | 6-9 | 13 | @DAL |
| A home loss to the lowly Destroyers sums up the Soul-less season for Philly. Seek some respect in the Big D. | ||||
| 14 | Austin Wranglers (AUS) | 6-10 | 14 | Finished |
| Austin finishes season with loss. Will the off-season this year be better than the last off-season? | ||||
| 15 | Arizona Rattlers (AZ) | 6-9 | 15 | @LV |
| Rattlers rattle San Jose in a home win. Seek to end season on a winning note. Will the Rattlers remain in the league next year? | ||||
| 16 | Grand Rapids Rampage (GR) | 3-12 | 16 | LA |
| Rampage triples its win total from last year! Who would have thought they would shock the Rush in Chicago? | ||||
| 17 | Columbus Destroyers (CLB) | 2-13 | 17 | TB |
| Columbus surprises Soul with spirited game. Seek win at home over Tampa Bay to keep fans interested for next year. | ||||
John L. Hoh, Jr., is a free-lance writer from Milwaukee who grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, as an avid Dolphins fan. He followed Arena Football since its inception, at one point watching tape-delayed games on low-powered WAV-TV in Waukesha. His happiest day was when Milwaukee was awarded the Mustangs franchise; his saddest when the Mustangs were contracted out of the league. John is married to his wife Maija (13+ years) and has a young son, Matthew. John pines for the return of the Arena Football League to Milwaukee.
