Arena Football Power Rankings: Week 5

8. Tampa Bay Storm

(photo credit: tampabay.com)

The Storm have taken two teams to the edge in two close games this season. The only thing about those two games is that they were against the Cleveland Gladiators and the Jacksonville Sharks, two teams that haven't put up much of a fight this season. Against the other two teams they faced, the top two teams in the AFL in the Orlando Predators and the Arizona Rattlers, they were dominated in every way possible. The Storm have proven themselves to be the weakest link. Goodbye.


7. Portland Steel

(photo credit: portlandtribune.com)

Like the Storm, the Steel have also gotten what was coming to them against the Rattlers, losing to them twice. But unlike the Storm, the Steel have shown that they can compete with the Predators, taking them to the edge when they faced off earlier in the season. Still, the Steel have shown they are still a very weak team in the AFL. 

6. Cleveland Gladiators

(photo credit: blog.cleveland.com)

The Gladiators are a much different team than the team that went to Arena Bowl XXVII in 2014. They can't hang with the big boys in the AFL, losing to the Soul by double digits. They also even almost found themselves on the losing end to the Tampa Bay Storm. When it comes to playing the top teams like the Soul, they don't compete. They need to find a strategy to compete against the top teams in the AFL or they'll find themselves at a low seed in the playoffs this summer.

5. Jacksonville Sharks

(photo credit: jacksonville.com)

The Sharks are like a see-saw. One week, they're upsetting the Soul at the Wells Fargo Center, and the next they're giving up a double-digit lead to the Storm. They need to stay consistent if they want to see themselves as one of the top seeds in the AFL at the end of the season and earn homefield advantage in the playoffs.

4. Los Angeles KISS

(photo credit: news4usonline.com)

The KISS got off to a hot start on the season, but have lost two games in a row since. While their first loss was a close one to the Orlando Predators, the loss to the Soul was not a pretty one. They gave up 21 consecutive points and the turnovers kept piling on as they fell by a final score of 56-33. The turnovers need to be reduced if the KISS want to get back to that hot streak they were on in the beginning of the season. 

3. Philadelphia Soul

(photo credit: soul.arenafootball.com)

The Soul have been red hot since their loss to the Jacksonville Sharks. Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh continues to lead the AFL in passing touchdowns and running back Jeramie Richardson continues to lead the league in rushing touchdowns. If the Soul keep that up, they'll continue to be one of the top dogs in the league. 

2. Orlando Predators

(photo credit: brionprice.com)

The Predators have dominated their opponents this season and have also found ways to win games. That is why they are one of two undefeated teams left in the Arena Football League and why they remain the #2 team in our power rankings.

1. Arizona Rattlers

(photo credit: acc,blogs.starnewsonline.com)

The Rattlers have been the most dominant team in the league through the first five weeks this season hands down. They have blown out all opponents they have faced except for the overtime win against the Sharks. Their biggest challenge comes this Saturday when they face the Orlando Predators at the Amway Center in Orlando. After Saturday night. only one team will be unbeaten.