(CURRENT) (TEAM) (W/L RECORD) (LAST WEEKS RANK)

1) Nashville Kats (3-1) (LW: 3) The Kats physical nature got the best of the defending champs last Saturday night, and they avenged last years heartbreaking home loss to the Crush in dominating fashion. As I stated before the season started, this roster is loaded with the most talent Ive ever seen for every facet of the indoor game. They knocked off the previous #1 with ease, and look to be atop this poll for many weeks to come. Up next is a date against Grand Rapids whos gotten healthy at home against the West the last two weeks. This one could get real UGLY folks!!!

2) Austin Wranglers (4-0) (LW: 6) The Wranglers showed a ton of moxie last week by going into the American Airlines Center and knocking off the then undefeated Desperados. They now sit as the only undefeated team in the league, and have to be taken seriously by all AFL brethren as a legitimate squad. Whats turned the Wranglers fortunes around is their defensive play. DSs Mason & Franklin were definitely gifts from the football gods, and their play has made their D-Lines rush that much better. To hold the potent Dallas offense scoreless in the third quarter was quite a feat, especially in the Despos barn. Up next is game four of their ridiculous five-game road trip to open the season vs. the Storm.

3) Philadelphia Soul (3-1) (LW: 4) The Soul could do no wrong this past Sunday as they took it to the division rival Dragons from the opening kick-off. The offense was spectacular led by the comeback of QB Tony Graziani who threw for 282 yards and six TDs, but it was the defense that forced four turnovers leading directly to 27 Philadelphia points en route to the 75-59 dismantling. HC Bret Munsey has all the makings of a championship caliber team. An impressive home win vs. the defending champs this week will only give this squad that much more confidence.

4) Colorado Crush (3-1) (LW: 1) It really was only a matter of time before the defending champs were humbled, and thats exactly what happened this past weekend in Nashville. Sure, this league is predicated on offensive play, but you have to be able to stop your opponents every once in awhile. At this juncture, the Crush got by with some solid last second victories, but the defense is going to fail them more times than not if some changes arent made. Teams with physical defenses and above average offenses will be able to take care of this team. Another tough host waits this Sunday as well in the City of Brotherly Love.

5) Orlando Predators (3-1) (LW: 7) Ill be the first to admit that I had no faith in the Preds being able to win the first I-4 battle last weekend, but they shocked me and many others in one of the most exciting battles of the young season. Even though Tampa made an unbelievable comeback to tie it in regulation, you just had a feeling HC Jay Grudens guys were going to get the job done. That being said, the roster was cut short once again in the victory with some huge injuries that will most definitely affect the teams play in the coming weeks. Up next is a trip to the Big Apple to take on the Dragons in a rematch of last seasons playoff game.

6) Georgia Force (2-2) (LW: 8) Now thats the defense we had become so used to witnessing a year ago when the Force parlayed it with a potent offense all the way to the ArenaBowl. Sure, the D gave up over 300 yards passing, but it came up with three crucial INTs by rookie DS Chris Brown en route to the 54-34 road win. Hopefully the defense feeds off the momentum of this great effort, because the young guys will be looked upon to help keep this team a contender in the South. Up next is the first of two divisional home games that the Force must win to get back in the thick of the divisional race.

7) Chicago Rush (2-2) (LW: 10) Finally!!! The Rush grabbed themselves an easy win, and didnt have to hold their collective breath on the last play of the game. Chicago erased any misguided premonitions of Los Angeles Avenging its first round playoff loss from a year ago. The Rush dominated in every facet of the game, and answered every push LA made with another punch to the gut. QB Matt DOrazio was highly efficient, the defense swarmed led by ADT DEF player of the game Jeremy Unertl, and the special teams added the extra flavor to an overall explosive performance by the visitors. The Rush will look to get over the .500 mark this Sunday afternoon vs. the slumbering Sabercats in the first of three home games.

8) Dallas Desperados (3-1) (LW: 2) The Despos looked primed and ready for a blow-out victory at home over Austin last Friday night, but quickly saw its 28-7 2nd quarter advantage get wiped away in the closing minutes of the first half. This loss showed just how mortal this team is, and that you can rattle them by playing physical defense against their solid group or WRs. Austins offensive speed really gave the Despos defense a very hard time as well, which is something HC Will McClay will work on this week as they get ready to host Las Vegas. A win here is a must as theyre set to go on their longest road trip of the season the following three weeks.

9) Tampa Bay Storm (2-2) (LW: 5) It took the Storm a quarters worth of play to realize they were battling their biggest rival, but their performance the rest of the way was fantastic even though they fell short in OT. QB Shane Stafford completed 36 of his 52 passes for a whopping 458 total yards, but wasnt able to get anything done in OT after getting sacked on their first play from scrimmage. The Storm needs to convert at a better percentage on third down, and avoid the costly turnovers if indeed they plan on making any noise this year. They could wipe away the bitter taste of this defeat with a solid home win vs. the undefeated Wranglers this Saturday night.

10) New York Dragons (2-2) (LW: 9) It certainly wasnt the performance of the season, but what did you really expect from this team after squaring off with Utah the week before in the second highest scoring game in AFL history? This squad clearly has no defense as evidenced by the 65 PPG and 300+ YPG its given up through the air in the first month of play, but it boasts an electric offense led by QB Aaron Garcia thats capable of outscoring anyone in this league on any given day. Expect the Dragons to be ecstatic to get back in the comfy confines of the Nassau Coliseum after its three game road trip to take on the injury riddled Predators.

And the rest.

11) Grand Rapids Rampage (2-2) (LW: 15)
12) Kansas City Brigade (1-3) (LW: 17)
13) Las Vegas Gladiators (1-3) (LW: 13)
14) Columbus Destroyers (1-3) (LW: 11)
15) Utah Blaze (1-3) (LW: 12)
16) San Jose Sabercats (1-3) (LW: 14)
17) Arizona Rattlers (1-3) (LW: 18)
18) Los Angeles Avengers (1-3) (LW: 16)