Los Angeles / Chicago game affects playoff outlook

Friday May 16, 2008

Outcome will help determine playoff picture for Rattlers and the American Conference
 
Now that the 2008 AFL season is past its midpoint, the playoff picture is starting to emerge. This week’s Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday game featuring the Los Angeles Avengers and the Chicago Rush (6:00pm PT, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD) will play a crucial role in the playoff hunt in the American Conference.
 
Since the Avengers hold the tiebreaker over the Rattlers, it is imperative that Arizona finishes the season ahead of Los Angeles in the standings. An Avenger win this Monday night on ESPN will elevate them into second place in the west, dropping Arizona to third.
 
The San Jose SaberCats, who currently hold a 1 ½ game lead on Arizona, can clinch a playoff berth and the Chicago Rush can clinch their division this week in the Western and Central Divisions, respectively. With six games left on the schedule, the Rattlers have plenty of time to make a charge towards the playoffs.
 
“In arena football it’s all about who plays well in the last five games of the year; no one is ever really out of it. The other coaches are telling their team the same thing as we are, it does them no good to play well for 11 games and then bad for the last five,” Rattlers Offensive Coordinator Skip Foster explains.
 
In the AFL format, the top six teams from the American Conference earn playoffs berths, with the top two getting byes. At the bottom of the eight team American conference are the Utah Blaze (2-9) and the Kansas City Brigade (2-8). The Rattlers in essence control their own fate given that two of their final three games are against Utah and Kansas City. At only two games back, it is not inconceivable that the Blaze and Brigade could work themselves back into the playoff hunt.
 
This week the Rattlers will travel to Dallas Saturday May 18 to take on the 9-1 Desperados. Although a non-conference matchup, a win will determine if the Rattlers retain second place in the Western Division.
 
The 2008 Arizona Rattlers have guaranteed their season ticket holders a trip to the playoffs. Season tickets, group tickets and premium single game tickets can be purchased by calling the Rattlers ticket hotline at 602-514-TDTD. Single game tickets are now on sale at the USAirways box office and all Ticketmaster locations. More information is available at www.azrattlers.com.
 
Catch all the action when the Los Angeles Avengers take on the Chicago Rush on Russell Athletic Arena Football Monday, May 19 at 5:00pm PT on ESPN2.