CHICAGO – The Jacksonville Sharks (6-5) jumped up two spots to No. 4 in the latest AFL Power Rankings, the League office announced on Monday.
Jacksonville defeated the Orlando Predators (6-5), 66-51, to take the head-to-head point differential tiebreaker for the lead in the American Conference South Division in Week 11. Joe Sykes, who earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game honors, set the single-season franchise record for sacks by recording his 14th of the season in the contest.
Sykes is now just two sacks shy of his own AFL single-season record of 16, which he set in 2012. Sykes, who has gotten to the quarterback in 10 consecutive games, will have the opportunity to make history in front of a national audience again in Week 12, as the Sharks travel to Tampa Bay on Friday night for a matchup with the 4-6 Storm. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
The San Jose SaberCats (11-0) remain atop the latest AFL Power Rankings after securing their second consecutive Pacific Division championship in Week 11. The playoff-bound SaberCats defeated the Spokane Shock (3-7), 55-26, last weekend. San Jose will look to match its best start in franchise history as they go for 12 wins to start the season this Saturday against the LA KISS (1-9). Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3.
At 10-1, the No. 2-ranked Philadelphia Soul are off to their best start ever with no signs of slowing down after handing the New Orleans VooDoo (2-9) a 62-41 loss in Week 11. AFL MVP contender Dan Raudabaugh and the high-powered Soul offense will look to complete the season sweep of the Orlando Predators (6-5) this Saturday in Orlando. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN3.
The Arizona Rattlers (8-2) came in at No. 3 once again in the latest AFL Power Rankings after knocking off the Tampa Bay Storm (4-6), 69-46, in Week 11. The three-time defending ArenaBowl champions look to be firing on all cylinders after the return of Nick Davila, who passed for nine touchdowns in his first action since going down with an injury in Week 5. The Rattlers hit the road in Week 12 for a National Conference matchup with the Portland Thunder (3-7). Kickoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET Friday night on ESPN3.
Finishing off the Top 5, the Cleveland Gladiators (6-5) got back in the win column on Sunday, besting the Las Vegas Outlaws (3-7) in the Gladiators’ first game back in Las Vegas since 2007. The defending American Conference champions will look to make it two in a row this weekend when they square off with the New Orleans VooDoo Friday night on ESPN3. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.