AFL Power Rankings Week 10

POWER RANKINGS

Just when everything looked like it was falling nicely into place, Week 10 came along and subverted all expectations. The Soul are officially back from their mid-season slump as they knocked off the Empire and secured the second playoff spot. Atlantic City is here to spice up the final three weeks led by backup quarterback Warren Smith. Meanwhile, Baltimore is playing some of the best football in the league, as they are clicking in all three phases of the game.

Let’s look at how the power rankings break down this week!

1. Philadelphia Soul (6-4)

This week we have a new number one. The Soul are back to playing top level ball and it’s a perfect time for Clint Dolezel’s squad to find its groove with just weeks before the playoffs. This weekend’s impressive win over Albany showed that the Soul have what it takes to make some noise in the playoffs. This Soul team is over its midseason stretch of losing four out of five games and is now riding a three-game win streak along with a clinched playoff berth. With offensive veteran Dan Raudabaugh and league interception leader James Romain, this team is dangerous, and they proved that this weekend.

2.Baltimore Brigade (6-4)

Baltimore really could have been number one as well, but beating Albany gave Philadelphia the push to take the top spot. However, don’t let this ranking fool you, Baltimore is playing some of the best football in the league, period. Take away the bizarre ending of the Washington game and Baltimore would have four wins in as many weeks. This weekend they put together an all-around clinic with the offense being productive, the defense getting takeaways and even special teams adding some points to the scoreboard. On offense Shane Boyd has been great and he has a solid receiving core featuring all-time great Joe Hills, and solid contributors Brandon Collins and Milton Williams. The defense plays fast and is aggressive after the ball. The Brigade lead the league in forced fumbles (15) and ranks second in interceptions (13). You don’t want to play this team right now.

3. Albany Empire (8-2)

While the Empire are still arguably the best team in the league, they have looked kind of “normal” the past couple of weeks. After starting the season a dominant 6-0, many asked would this team run the table to an undefeated season. However, the last four weeks have been tougher than expected, including two losses and two narrow victories. This week they fell a little behind and the defense just couldn’t slow down the high-powered Philadelphia offense to

potentially mount a comeback. Even though they have struggled recently, all the pieces of a championship team are there: Malachi Jones, Tommy Grady, Joe Sykes, etc. Albany will enjoy this bye week to get its mojo back in preparation for the playoffs. They remember the disappointment in the playoffs last year and are determined to not let it happen again.

4. Atlantic City Blackjacks (4-6)

Warren Smith, ladies and Gentlemen. Who would have thought the first team to score 70 points this season would be the Atlantic City Blackjacks led by Smith and not Randy Hippeard, wow! The offense was nearly unstoppable, and the defense created some big turnovers in the second half to blow the game open. Credit coach Ron James and staff for putting Smith and this team in a spot to crash the playoffs following the disappointing performance against Philadelphia in week 8. The Blackjacks will continue their push for the playoffs in this weekend’s matchup against the Soul, which should be an awesome game as both are playing arguably their best football all season.

5. Washington Valor (5-5)

This weekend’s loss to the Blackjacks was rather shocking. Washington had been playing very well in recent weeks and even played well most of the game against the Blackjacks too. But the offense struggled mightily including three second half turnovers by QB Arvell Nelson. Add in that Warren Smith had the Blackjacks offense running the best it had all season and suddenly, the game became a blowout. The Valor shouldn't panic yet as they are still in a good spot to make the playoffs, but they must tighten up these next few weeks or the reigning champs will find themselves sitting this postseason out.

6. Columbus Destroyers (1-9)

These Destroyers games are turning into clockwork at this point. Once again, this young squad showed a lot of promise in the first half but completely fall apart in the second half. Mistakes and turnovers saw this game quickly spiral out of hand for the Destroyers. While this team is out of the playoffs, each game will give valuable reps to this young, but promising core, especially QB Grant Russell.