AFL Power Rankings Week 12

Week 12 Power Rankings

This past weekend’s games had huge playoff implications for everyone around the league. Washington kept its composure enough to beat Baltimore and clinch the final playoff spot (sorry Atlantic City), while Albany took care of business against Columbus to clinch the number one seed. Baltimore played an uncharacteristically poor second half and Columbus took a tough loss. Lets see how the teams stack up going into the final weekend of the regular season. (These rankings combine the games from week 11 and week 12.)

1) Philadelphia Soul (7-4). Last week rank: 1

Philadelphia stepped into the ring against the hungry Atlantic City Blackjacks, took their best shots and still came away with the victory. Dan Raudabaugh had the offense clicking, scoring on every drive except one. The defense continued to fly around and create turnovers, including a huge pick six by Dwayne Hollis after Atlantic City recovered an onside kick to swing the momentum back in the Soul’s favor. This team is playing great all around football with the offense able to score at will and a defense that plays aggressive and looks for turnovers. Now on a four game win streak, this squad is currently the team to beat going into the final weeks of the season and the playoffs.

2) Albany Empire (9-2). Last week rank: 3

Credit the Empire for taking care of business this weekend. Columbus was amped up playings its last home game in front of its biggest crowd of the year, but Albany was locked in and left no doubt on the field. Albany’s onside kick recovery in the first quarter sucked the momentum out of the Destroyers and allowed Albany to cruise to a victory. With the number one seed locked up, Albany is only one week away from getting back to the playoffs and avenging last season’s letdown.

3) Baltimore Brigade (6-6) Last week rank:2

This game was a little bit of a strange one. Baltimore was on its A-game all throughout the first half and went into the half up 26-19. However, the second half was a different story. First, Baltimore opened the second half with a shaky offensive series that featured multiple missed scoring opportunities; next, starter Shane Boyd was replaced by backup Shane Morris in a pre-planned switch and finally the big skirmish happened on the Joe Hills touchdown. Everything about the second half just felt...off. In previous weeks this team had been playing some of the best football in the League, so this second half was uncharacteristic for the Brigade. This team has all the tools to make an ArenaBowl run, but they will need to regroup in this final game against the Blackjacks and find some momentum going into theplayoffs.

4) Washington Valor (6-6). Last week rank: 5

Congrats to the Valor for sticking out a gusty win and clinching a spot in the playoffs. Between the extracurricular on field activity and the Brigade’s stingy defense this was a well earned win. Arvell Nelson was again “Mr. do it all” for the Valor with 295 total yards and seven total touchdowns. The Valor are in the playoffs and that’s all that matters. After last year, anything is possible.

5) Atlantic City Blackjacks (4-7). Last week rank:4

What an effort by the Blackjacks. From the guts of coach Ron James to call two consecutive onside kicks, to Warren Smith playing the final quarter of the game basically on one leg. This team understood the importance of this game and played their hearts out. Unfortunately, mistakes and solid execution by the Soul were too much for them to overcome. No matter how the last week shapes out, this game will go down as one of the best all season.

6) Columbus Destroyers (1-10). Last week rank: 6

The Destroyers have played a tough schedule this year. For the third time this season they played the juggernaut known as the Albany Empire. Columbus put forth a valiant first half effort in front of a season high crowd. But after the questionable penalty on their two point conversion and Albany’s onside kick recovery, the Destroyers lost all momentum and a long night ensued with lots of Empire touchdowns. While the season has been tough, the Destroyers have a lot of good going for them. They have a solid young core with quarterback of the future in Grant Russell. Finishing the season next week on a good note can set a positive tone into the off-season.