AFL Power Rankings: 2006 Week 15
John Hoh
Friday May 12, 2006
The Playoff Race
American Conference
1. Colorado Crush (x)
2. San Jose SaberCats(x)
3. Arizona Rattlers(y)
4. Nashville Kats(y)
5. Chicago Rush
6. Utah Blaze
Las Vegas Gladiators
Grand Rapids Rampage
Los Angeles Avengers (e)
National Conference
1. Dallas Desperados (z)
2. Orlando Predators(x)
3. New York Dragons(y)
4. Austin Wranglers(y)
5. Georgia Force
6. Columbus Destroyers
Philadelphia Soul
Tampa Bay Storm
Kansas City Brigade(e)
+ = Divisional leader
x = Clinched division crown
y = Clinched playoff spot
z = Clinched conference playoff home field
e = Eliminated from playoffs
Herein are the 2006 week 15 Power Rankings. And remember, these are only my opinions and are not scientific. Any attempt to use this information for betting purposes is solely at the gambler’s discretion.
| Rank | Team | Record | Previous Rank | Next Up |
| 1 | Dallas Desperados (DAL) | 12-3 | 1 | NY |
| Dallas loses both games to Philly. Not that this last game meant anything, but Dallas already has home field sewn up so why risk injury. Finish season at home against the Dragons. | ||||
| 2 | Colorado Crush (COL) | 10-5 | 2 | AZ |
| Crush loses game—and maybe home field—to the SaberCats. Host Arizona in a game that might be key. | ||||
| 3 | Orlando Predators (ORL) | 10-5 | 3 | AUS |
| Ho-hum, another Predator division crown. Host division rival Austin next and may want to make a statement about playing in The Jungle. | ||||
| 4 | New York Dragons (NY) | 10-5 | 4 | @DAL |
| Dragons rolling into playoffs. Could catch Dallas napping. | ||||
| 5 | San Jose SaberCats (SJ) | 9-6 | 5 | CLB |
| SaberCats get key win against Colorado to keep hope alive for home field advantage. Need a win against another team fighting for playoff life. | ||||
| 6 | Austin Wranglers (AUS) | 9-6 | 7 | @ORL |
| Austin wrangles win over Grand Rapids. Now face the mighty Preds in The Jungle. | ||||
| 7 | Georgia Force (GA) | 8-7 | 6 | PHI |
| Loss to New York damages home playoff game chances. Could still miss the playoffs. Game against the Soul a key to the playoff picture. | ||||
| 8 | Arizona Rattlers (AZ) | 8-7 | 8 | @COL |
| Rattlers get needed win. Next stop is in the Mile High City against the defending champs. | ||||
| 9 | Columbus Destroyers (CLB) | 8-7 | 11 | @SJ |
| Columbus still controls playoff destiny. Beat San Jose and their in; lose and they may need help. | ||||
| 10 | Philadelphia Soul (PHI) | 8-7 | 11 | @GA |
| There is still some Soul left in Philly as the Soul tries to eke out a playoff berth. Game at Georgia is critical. | ||||
| 11 | Nashville Kats (NAS) | 7-8 | 10 | TB |
| How bad is the American Conference? Nashville, with a losing record, would still host a first round game IF the playoffs started today! The Kats seek an even record against the Storm—and force Tampa Bay to miss its first playoffs ever. | ||||
| 12 | Tampa Bay Storm (TB) | 7-8 | 12 | @NAS |
| Tampa Bay has a long, long shot to make the playoffs. Still, stranger things have happened. And the Storm does finish the season against the slumping Kats. | ||||
| 13 | Chicago Rush (CHI) | 6-9 | 14 | @GR |
| Chicago beats Utah and gets edge for playoff seeding. Next travel to Grand Rapids and take on the equally inconsistent Rampage. | ||||
| 14 | Utah Blaze (UT) | 6-9 | 13 | KC |
| A win would have secured a playoff spot for Utah. Fortunately they get to host their fellow inauguries at this “Expansion Bowl” and can win the game and a playoff spot. | ||||
| 15 | Las Vegas Gladiators (LV) | 5-10 | 15 | @LA |
| Yes, the Gladiators are still in playoff hunt even with losing twice as many games as they have won. Can they get some lucky breaks at LA, Kansas City, and Grand Rapids and somehow sneak into the playoffs? | ||||
| 16 | Grand Rapids Rampage (GR) | 5-10 | 16 | CHI |
| Yes, the Rampage are still in playoff hunt even with losing twice as many games as they have won. Can they get some lucky breaks at LA, Kansas City, and at home and somehow sneak into the playoffs? | ||||
| 18 | Los Angeles Avengers (LA) | 4-11 | 17 | LV |
| No playoffs for this team. Will try to spoil the Gladiators attempt to get into the post-season. | ||||
| 17 | Kansas City Brigade (KC) | 3-12 | 18 | @UT |
| The Brigade were a scrappy team even though their record wasn’t very bright. A good foundation was laid. | ||||
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.
