We’re at the halfway mark of the 2019 season and for the second time in three weeks of the “Power” Rankings, we have one team with a perfect record, a team with a winless record, and four teams with .500 records. Once again, the Most Subjective Ranking in Arena Football (okay, the ONLY Subjective Ranking in Arena Football) will have the tall task of figuring out which .500 team goes where.

And away we go…

1. Albany (6-0): The Empire returned home this week after a three-game road sweep that saw them win all three games by an average of two touchdowns. How would they fare against a streaking Washington Valor team? The Empire shut out the Valor in the second quarter and went up by as many as 25 in the beginning of the third quarter. It could have been a runaway, but missed opportunities on offense lead to the visitors getting within three. However, the Empire would hang on and take their sixth straight win by 10.

Next Week: The Empire will look to stay perfect at home against a tough, but streaky Baltimore Brigade.

2. Atlantic City (3-3): The Blackjacks looked to rebound from a poor second half in Week 5 that lead to their first home loss against Albany. They faced Baltimore for the second time in three weeks in what is becoming a growing rivalry. The game was a shootout in the first half and a defensive stalemate in the second half as both teams looked to avoid a loss. It was the Blackjacks’ defense that would have the last say as they blocked a field goal at the death to preserve a one-point win.

Next Week: The Blackjacks will travel to Columbus to try to rack up their first road win in team history against the winless Destroyers.

3. Washington (3-3): The Valor marched into Albany on the tails of a three-game winning streak and were looking to continue their streak. Things looked good for the defending champs as they took a five-point lead in the first quarter. Then, the second quarter dropped like an anvil on their head as they surrendered 30 unanswered points. The Arvell and Dougie Show connected for four touchdowns in the second half and they battled back, but it wasn’t enough to get past the Empire.

Next Week: The Valor hope to get back on the winning track with the final road game of their three-game road trip in Philadelphia.

4. Philadelphia (3-3): Following a miserable game in Baltimore that saw them on their first three-game losing streak in five years, the Soul looked to get off of the schneid against a winless Columbus squad. Their defense feasted on the young Destroyers offense, forcing three turnovers and sacking QB Grant Russell once. Their offense was clicking again, too, with QB Dan Raudabaugh finding several receivers for long touchdown passes. Have the Soul regained their swagger?

Next Week: The Soul remain at home against Washington, who they will play for the second time in four games.

5. Baltimore (3-3): It has truly been an up-and-down season for the Brigade as they have alternated wins and losses since opening kickoff. They have not won a road game yet, either, and the second game in three weeks against Atlantic City began their four-game road trip. Could they finally pull off a road win? The defense gave the Brigade a chance to win the game as they forced a fumble late in the game, but the Blackjacks blocked what would have been the game-winning field goal. Another attempt at establishing a winning streak ended.

Next Week: The Brigade continues their road trip to Albany, where they will try to win their first road game and end the Empire’s winning streak.

6. Columbus (0-6): How do you sum up a season of frustration? During an interview before the second half of their game against Philadelphia, Destroyer head coach Matt Sauk said, “Everyone’s gotta make a play. I don’t give a crap who, make a play when it’s there.” It’s a broken record, but the Destroyers have been inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball. This is based on many young players in their first season in Arena Football, but the Destroyers can’t continue rely on their defense to keep them in games.

Next Week: The Destroyers hope to win their first game during a three-game home stand against Atlantic City, who has not won a road game this season.

Ryan McCarthy has been an on-and-off Internet columnist and blogger since 1997. He has been an avid follower of Arena Football since 1990 when the Albany Firebirds were established. Ryan currently attends Regent University, where he is pursuing his Bachelors degree in Communications with a Journalism concentration. He anticipates graduating toward the end of 2019. You can follow Ryan on Twitter at @rwhoisryanmcc