Five Takeaways From the First Half of the 2016 AFL Season

1. Nick Davila has established himself as one of the best players in AFL history

(photo credit: cincyontheprowl.com)

The Arizona Rattlers quarterback became the youngest quarterback in AFL history to have passed for 30,000 yards. The three-time Arena Bowl champion has 59 touchdowns this season, which leads the AFL. Davila now has put himself amongst some of the best players in AFL history, such as Aaron Garcia. Teams still can't figure out Davila, as he continues to tear defenses to pieces. Davila is only 31, so he has a chance to break more records, and win more ArenaBowl's.

2. The Cleveland Gladiators aren't here to fool around

(photo credit: ohio.org)

The Gladiators started the season at a less than impressive 1-4, but things turned around real quick. They have now won four straight games, which includes wins against the Jacksonville Sharks and the Philadelphia Soul. In the Jacksonville game, they came back from down 19 to win the game. Cleveland is now second in the National Conference, one game behind the Arizona Rattlers. Cleveland will play just one more home game this year, but as they've shown, they aren't here to play around.                                

3. There are no clear favorites to win the Arena Bowl                                  

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Through nine weeks of the AFL season, there are no undefeated teams left in the AFL. Early favorites, the Arizona Rattlers, have lost three of their last four. The Orlando Predators have lost two straight, and the Philadelphia Soul lost their second game of the season last week. The San Jose SaberCats were clear favorites last year, but this year, there is no team in mind that could be crowned champions. With those three teams, plus squads such as the Gladiators and the Sharks, the second half of the season should be entertaining.

4. The LA KISS are much better than in the past

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After struggling for the first three years of the franchises existence, the KISS are finally becoming a formidable contender. They've already beaten Jacksonville, they took the Predators down to the wire, and they only lost by 13 to the Rattlers, even after losing starting quarterback Nathan Stanley. The KISS have been getting it done on defense, with Fredrick Obi ranking fourth in tackles, and sixth in interceptions. The KISS have also gotten big production from Josh Victorian. LA is looking like a force to be reckoned with, for the first time ever.

5. Portland Steel and Tampa Bay Storm struggling mightily throughout the first nine weeks-            

(photo credit: tampabaystorm.com)

Both the Steel and Storm have combined for a 1-15 record through nine weeks. After Tampa finally got its first win on Sunday, Portland is the last team to hold the dubious distinction of being winless. Every other team has at least four wins this season, which means both of these teams have a lot of work to do. Both the Storm and Steel are last in their conferences, and despite the fact they will both make the playoffs, they have a lot of work to do, in order to be competitive.

(photo credit: portlandtribune.com)