Sharks Jump Preds as Soul Narrow Gap on Rattlers in AFL Media Poll
July 29, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
LAS VEGAS - The playoff-bound Jacksonville Sharks (9-7) moved up one spot to No. 4 in the latest AFL Media Poll, leapfrogging their Week 19 opponents, the South Division-leading Orlando Predators (10-6). After rolling past the Tampa Bay Storm (6-10), 63-16, last week, the Sharks clinched a playoff spot and a chance to unseat the Predators for the division lead this Saturday. However, a well-rested Orlando team is likely more than prepared to host the red-hot Sharks. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN3.
A close call with the LA KISS (4-12) in Week 18 shrunk the Arizona Rattlers (13-3) lead over the Philadelphia Soul (13-3) in the AFL Media Poll down to just two points. There is sure to be a shakeup next week, one way or another, as the Rattlers travel to the Bay for a showdown with their most storied rival, the top-ranked San Jose SaberCats (15-1). A win for the Rattlers would keep them in the hunt for home field advantage and surely win over more than a handful of first-place votes, while a loss would secure the top seed in the National Conference for San Jose and likely drop the Rattlers down the Media rankings in the process. Kickoff for this year's Arena Football Hall of Fame Game in San Jose is set for 10:30 p.m. ET Friday night on CBS Sports Network. The No. 3-ranked Soul return from their Week 18 bye to host the New Orleans VooDoo at 4:00 p.m. ET Sunday afternoon on ESPN3.
The AFL Media Poll consists of voters from television, radio, and newspaper outlets who regularly cover the League in their respective markets, along with national personalities from ESPN and CBS Sports, who provide game and studio commentary about the Arena Football League.
July 29 AFL Media Poll
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week
1. San Jose SaberCats (16) 15-1 192 1
2. Arizona Rattlers 13-3 168 2
3. Philadelphia Soul 13-3 166 3
4. Jacksonville Sharks 9-7 141 5
5. Orlando Predators 10-6 133 4
6. Cleveland Gladiators 7-9 111 6
7. Spokane Shock 6-10 91 8
8. Tampa Bay Storm 6-10 75 7
9. LA KISS 4-12 64 9
10. Portland Thunder 4-12 52 10
11. Las Vegas Outlaws 5-10-1 36 11
12. New Orleans VooDoo 3-12-1 19 12
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Arena Football League Stories from July 29, 2015
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- San Jose SaberCats vs. Arizona Rattlers Game Preview - San Jose SaberCats
- SaberCats Add Defensive Lineman Chris McAllister - San Jose SaberCats
- Shock Week 19 Game Preview - Spokane Shock
- Soul Playoffs to Air Live on 97.5 the Fanatic - Philadelphia Soul
- Arizona Rattlers at San Jose Week 19 Game Preview - Arizona Rattlers
- Sharks Jump Preds as Soul Narrow Gap on Rattlers in AFL Media Poll - AFL
- Predators OL Erle Ladson Signs with Cleveland Browns - Orlando Predators
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