ArenaFan Staff Makes Picks for ArenaBowl XXVII

Adam Markowitz
Saturday August 23, 2014

CLEVELAND -- All of the talking is said and done with, and the boot is about set to get put to leather. ArenaBowl XXVII will kick off tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena between the Cleveland Gladiators and the Arizona Rattlers. Our staff at ArenaFan weighs in on what we all think will happen in the biggest game of the season…

Connor Akeman, Tampa Bay Storm Beat Writer - Home field will play a large role, and I've learned not to pick against the Glads. A true destiny for Cleveland and the end of a dynasty for Arizona. Connor's Pick: Cleveland Gladiators

Dave Carlson, ArenaFan Co-Founder, Technical Director - Cleveland 56, Arizona 54 on a last second field goal… just because Cleveland does that. Dave's Pick: Cleveland Gladiators

Griffin Aseltine, San Jose SaberCats Beat Writer - You can't make the statistics up; despite Cleveland's struggles throughout the entire season, a victory always seems to be the result thanks to the clutch skills of quarterback Shane Austin. A 19-1 record (including the playoffs) is a difficult one to argue with, as is a perfect 6-0 record for home teams in this year's postseason. To top it all off, the Gladiators are perfect at home with an 11-0 throughout the entire season, and the crowd will be roaring louder than ever in the most critical matchup of the year. With all factors considered, how can someone not be in favor of what could possibly be one of the greatest stories in Arena Football League history? Griffin's Pick: Cleveland Gladiators

Jeff Sims, ArenaFan Contributor - There will be three seconds left and another miracle will be performed. Jeff's Pick: Cleveland Gladiators

Tim Capper, ArenaFan Social Media Director - This game is Destiny vs. Dynasty. Even though Arizona has a wealth of championship experience, I think Cleveland, along with its home crowd will propel the Gladiators to the championship. Tim's Pick: Cleveland Gladiators

Mike Delrio, ArenaFan Contributor - I am going with Arizona because I believe they are the better team. While Cleveland is on a roll and has been consistent over the last six weeks (unlike the Rattlers), Arizona is the better offense and the experience will be a big factor. It should be a great game, but the Rattlers are my pick to come away with the championship because of their offense. Mike's Pick: Arizona Rattlers

Joe Kauffman, ArenaFan Owner, President - I think that Cleveland has found a way to win just about every game this season. I think they're going to be able to pull it off in another tight one. Joe's Pick: Cleveland Gladiators

For good measure, 51.4% of our readers are picking Cleveland to win the ArenaBowl. The good folks in Vegas have the Rattlers favored by 5 1/2 points for those of you who are into that sort of thing.

As far as I'm concerned? This is a tough one, and anyone who has spoken to me knows that I have gone back and forth in this game every step of the way. I know that most of my ArenaFan staff members are going with "Destiny" over "Dynasty," and I've also made no bones about the fact that I would love to see the Glads get the job done. They've earned everything that they have gotten this year, and they deserve a championship after such a remarkable season.

Either way, as a member of the media, I've got myself an awesome story to write about, so I'm a happy camper. However, there's something to be said about the champs being the champs until they get knocked off. Sure, the Rattlers ended up looking like a mortal team at the end of the regular season and in the first round of the playoffs, but they have the most talented roster in this league.

It's going to be a heck of a fight, and I wouldn't be stunned to see this one come down to the last play of the game. Generally speaking, if that's the case, you'd think that "Destiny" would prevail. However, I'm going to go with the proven "Dynasty" tonight. Nick Davila has far too many weapons at his disposal, and this defense is just far too talented to not get some stops. I know that Davila isn’t going to lose this game for the Rattlers. Shane Austin has shown that he can lose it for Cleveland.

I'm a bit dejected at the fact, but I'll go with the Rattlers by two.

Best of luck to the Rattlers and the Gladiators tonight in what could be the game of all games in the history of this league.