2016 Week 10 Preview: Gladiators vs Rattlers

(photo credit: photos.cleveland.com)

The Arizona Rattlers have lost three of their last four games following a 5-0 start, and must now head on the road to take on the red hot Cleveland Gladiators in a rematch of Arena Bowl XXVII. Kickoff is set for Friday at 7 p.m. ET at the Quicken Loans Arena.  

Arizona started the season at 5-0, and looked to be the shoe in for the national conference. But three losses in four games have put those thoughts in doubt. The first two losses were to Orlando Predators and Philadelphia Soul. At the time, the Predators were 5-0 and the Soul were 5-1, so those losses are acceptable and understandable. But their loss last week has no explanation. The Rattlers fell on the road to the previously 0-7 Tampa Bay Storm 63-56, losing in the final seconds after tying the game late in regulation. 

Now they come to the site of their historic three peat: Cleveland. The Gladiators started this season 1-4, but four straight wins (two of them against Jacksonville and Philadelphia) have gotten them back over .500 and is making them a serious contender for ArenaBowl XXIX. The Gladiators will need to bring the noise again this week in order to get their fifth straight win.

Because of scheduling, this is the last home game of the regular season for the Cleveland Gladiators. The Republican National Convention will be at Quicken Loans Arena in August and the arena needs to get ready for the event. Because of this, the Gladiators played their eight home games early in the season. Arizona is undefeated lifetime against Cleveland- the most famous being the 72-32 win in ArenaBowl XXIV.