I dunno how many of you have been following the Arena Football regular season, but this one has been a doozy. If you don't know it, you don't know what you're missing!
Arena Football League is similar to it's National Football League gridiron counterpart, but in an indoor arena 50 yards long, half the length of an NFL pitch. AFL 101 has the complete rundown on all the changes.
Last week was Week 16, the penultimate week of the regular season, and to look at the week's results, it shows you that Arena Football is much higher scoring than it's NFL counterpart. One game during week 16 saw a combined score of 129 points between the two competing teams, with 9 teams scoring 60 points or more, annd two of those were on the losing end of the equation.
Looking at the standings, three teams have dominated their respective divisions with 100% divisional win records. They are the Dallas Desperados in the National Conference Eastern Division, who have only lost 1 game all season, Georgia Force in the National Conference Southern Division, and the San Jose SaberCats in the American Conference Western Divison. I have to say that despite their only loss coming in week 8 against the Georgia Force, I think it would be a very brave man or woman who wouold bet against the Dallas Desperados at this stage making it all the way through to a sold out ArenaBowl 21 on July 29th in New Orleans. The game will be shown live in the US on the ABC television network at 3pm Eastern/Noon Pacific.
In the UK and Ireland, NASN and EuroSport 2 have coverage of the Arena Football League and as soon as I know who will be showing Arena Bowl 21 live, I will let you know.
Meanwhile, the final week of the regular season, Week 17, will see the Dallas Desperados @ Colorado Crush (8-7), trying to make it a 15-1 regular season, which is pretty astonishing stuff. Georgia Force will be trying to make it a 14-2 season when they host New Orleans VooDoo (5-10), whilst the San Jose SaberCats will go to fellow Western Division team Las Vegas Gladiators (2-13) looking not just to end on a 13-3 record, but also to get a perfect 8-0 divisional record.
The battle for playoff positions is not over though, and with 12 teams making it through to the palyoffs, 6 in each conference, it means there are many other interesting matchups.
In the National Conference, New York Dragons will host the Columbus Destroyers, with the winner taking the final wildcard playoff spot, whilst in the American Conference, Nashivlle Kats (6-9)must win against the Grand Rapids Rampage (4-11), whilst hoping that the Utah Blaze(7-8) slip up against the Los Angeles Avengers(9-6), who are already in the playoffs.
Should be a fasicanting week of high scoring, top class football action. I would recommend that you find out where you can watch it, and stock up on the beer and crisps, and not miss a moment!
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