Arizona Keeps Top Spot in AFL Week 6 Power Rankings
Mike Delrio
Wednesday April 16, 2014
There are no changes in the Week 6 AFL Power Rankings in the top six spots from Week 5, but there was plenty of movement from No. 7 on.
Power Rankings: Week 6
1. Arizona Rattlers (4-0) (LW: W @ SJ 57-51) – Arizona went on the road for the first time this season and came away with a close win over San Jose. The win keeps the Rattlers undefeated while loss is the third straight for the SaberCats after a 2-0 start. The Rattlers look to be the team to beat in the league.
2. Cleveland Gladiators (4-0) (LW: W @ LA 40-30) – Cleveland holds the No. 2 spot for the second week in a row after a 10-point win on the road against the KISS. The Gladiators are 2-0 in division play, 3-0 on the road and sit atop the American Conference East Division.
3. Spokane Shock (3-1) (LW: W vs. PO 55-27) – Spokane hosted Pacific Division rival Portland and came away with a 28-point victory over one of the two remaining teams yet to pick up a W this season.
4. Pittsburgh Power (3-1) (LW: W vs. NO 56-14) – Pittsburgh dominated New Orleans in Week 5 just as it did San Antonio in Week 4 action. After jumping 10 spots in two weeks, the Power comes in No. 4 for the second consecutive week.
5. San Jose SaberCats (2-3) (LW: L vs. AZ 57-51) – San Jose lost its second home game and third straight overall after opening 2-0. The SaberCats remain No. 5 because the six-point loss came at the hands of top-rated Arizona. San Jose should end the losing streak this week when it goes on the road to play Portland. It is a road game, but it is against an 0-4 club. A loss to the lowly Thunder would bring an outcry from the San Jose faithful.
6. Los Angeles KISS (2-2) (LW: L vs. CLV 40-30) - Los Angeles retains the No. 6 slot even though it lost in Week 5 action. The KISS were defeated by No. 2 Cleveland by 10, but played well enough to keep people wondering if they will remain in the postseason hunt for the duration. LA must beat Iowa on the road this week to convince the doubters that it can beat the teams it should, the Barnstormers being one of those.
7. Jacksonville Sharks (2-2) (LW: W vs. TB 60-41) – Jacksonville was in an early must-win game with Tampa Bay in Week 5 and stepped up to the challenge. The 19-point margin was convincing and moved the Sharks up three positions this week.
8. Philadelphia Soul (1-3) (LW: W @ ORL 69-56) – Philadelphia, like Jacksonville, faced an early must-win situation against Orlando on the road. The Soul also met the challenge and made the biggest jump in the Power Rankings, moving four spots to No. 8. Philly benefitted from No. 7, 8, and 9 all losing while No. 11 Iowa won, but only by a point against the winless Talons.
9. Tampa Bay Storm (3-2) (LW: L @ Jax 60-41) – Tampa Bay lost to Jacksonville on the road by 19-points resulting in a drop from No. 8 to 9. The Storm travel east to take on Orlando in an important South Division game. Tampa Bay lost to the Predators earlier in the season, but these teams are evenly matched.
10. Orlando Predators (3-2) (LW: L vs. PH 69-56) – Orlando lost to a highly-motivated Philadelphia team by 13 to fall from No. 7 to No. 10. Orlando and Tampa Bay square off this Saturday, and both need a win. The Preds will be home where they are 2-1, but Tampa has won on the road once already this season and beat the Storm in Week 3.
11. New Orleans VooDoo (1-3) (LW: L @ PITT 56-14) – New Orleans scored just 26 points in a Week 3 home loss to Cleveland but then put up 62 in front of the home fans to down Orlando and pick up its first victory of the season in Week 4. The VooDoo reverted to Week 3 form and managed just 14 points in a 42-point loss to Pittsburgh last week. The best thing going for NO is that it is at home this week against a 0-5 San Antonio squad.
12. Iowa Barnstormers (2-2) (LW: W vs. SA 63-62) – Iowa evened its record with a win over the Talons, but the one-point victory over a team without a win yet was less than inspiring.
13. Portland Thunder (0-4) (LW: L @ SPO 55-27) – Portland lost a Pacific Division game to Spokane on the road in Week 5. The Thunder will be home this week against a San Jose team looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The SaberCats need a win and will not let this one get away.
14. San Antonio Talons (0-5) (LW: L @ IA 63-62) – San Antonio played a solid game against Iowa, but came up a point shy of their first W of the year. After being battered in back-to-back games by Jacksonville (63-22) and Pittsburgh (70-17), the Talons showed heart against the Barnstormers but still are looking for that first win. San Antonio is on the road in Week 6 to face New Orleans.
The Power Rankings are determined by a formula that considers Total Wins, Division Wins, Road Wins, Home Losses, and results against common opponents.