Round 1 AFL Playoff Matchups

Going into first round of the AFL playoffs, the National Conference bracket is intriguing.

The theme in the National Conference playoffs is experience. Both of the matchups in the National Conference are Division foes that have seen each other twice during the regular season.

Spokane Shock/Arizona Rattlers

The #1 Rattlers and #4 Shock meet on July 29. The series was split 1-1 during the regular season, with the home team victorious in both games. With Arizona at 16-2 and looking like the favorite heading into the playoffs, the Shock have a difficult task in front of them.  Spokane will have to beat a Rattlers squad that went 8-1 at home and currently on a nine game winning streak. However, because the Shock are beginning to gather momentum, along with key additions from players like Markee White, Raul Vijil and Greg Orton, the Rattlers can expect a battle. The Shock defeated Arizona in Week 8, 70-69 in Spokane behind strong performances from quarterback Kyle Rowley and receivers Vijil and Orton. Besides their loss in Week 20, the Shock are also heading into the postseason with a bit of momentum themselves. Spokane has won five out of their last seven games and seem to have developed a winning swagger. The recent additions from key players during their 2010 ArenaBowl title run will definitely help the team handle the pressures that go along with playoffs and potentially the winning formula.

The Rattlers playmaking defense, along with their nearly unstoppable offense, has made them practically impossible to beat this season. The Shock got a taste of the Rattlers attack in Week 17, where they were defeated 46-68 in Arizona. Interceptions from Arizona’s Virgil Gray, Marquis Floyd and Jason Geathers provided more than enough defensive stops, as quarterback Nick Davila went nearly perfect completing 23-of-29 passes for 291-yards and nine touchdowns. Davila is one of the frontrunners for Offensive Player of the Year Award this season because of his incredible precision and ability to put points on the board. He finished the year leading the League in pass efficiency (127.7) and touchdown passes (117) and ranked second in completion percentage (70.8). If the Shock want to defeat the Rattlers in the first round of the playoffs, they must focus on disrupting and frustrating Davila’s timing. Davila has been comfortable all season and been given ample time to read defenses and get the ball to his playmakers in good situations. Due to the recent CBA agreement in the NFL, important players such as Rod Windsor will be expected to report to training camp. While Windsor has been the main target for Davila this season, other receivers are available and have proven that they can be reliable targets as well. Receivers Chris Jackson and Kerry Reed are extremely capable of stepping in and providing big plays for the Rattlers offense.

Because mistakes are seldom for the Rattlers, the Shock will need to focus on forcing early stops and put Davila into an uncomfortable rhythm in front of his home crowd. This season, the Rattlers have not been put in that situation. The Rattlers currently lead the League in turnover margin because of the team’s defensive playmaking ability, along with the precise quarterback play of Davila. However, Keefe, Rowley and the Shock are the defending ArenaBowl champions and understand what it takes to win. We will see who will get the “W” between the old champs and the favorites heading into the First Round.

Dallas Vigilantes/Chicago Rush

The #2 Chicago Rush and #3 Dallas Vigilantes will meet for the third time this season in the First Round of the AFL playoffs. Both of the regular season matchups were taken by the Rush, with strong performances from standout wide receiver Reggie Gray. In both matchups, the Vigilantes did not prove that they could keep up with the Rush for a full four quarters. Whether it was JJ Raterink or Russ Michna, Chicago was too much for the Vigilantes squad.  However, even with the Vigilantes struggles against the Rush this season, they are capable of lighting up the scoreboard. The Vigilantes rank fourth in the League in scoring offense per game (58.9 points) and total offense per game (313.9 yards) as well. Dallas quarterback Dan Raudabaugh has been very effective this season, putting up 90 passing touchdowns and 4,741 passing yards in only his first full season in the AFL.

During Week 11 of the 2011 season, Michna and the Rush secured a 69-57 victory at home. The game was relatively close throughout, but late key plays proved to be the difference maker. The second meeting was Week 19 in Dallas for the Central Division Championship. The Vigilantes looked as if they were in the driver seat heading into halftime with a 37-21 lead. However, a strong defensive performance from Chicago held Dallas to only seven points in the second half. Raterink and the Rush offense continued to put up points as they scored 32 points in the second half and won the game 53-44.

The Rush will also go into the First Round playoff matchup with new additions to their lineup. Defensive back Vic Hall returns from injury to the Rush defense, after recording 15 interceptions in only 13 games played this season. Hall has been a major playmaker for the Rush this season, leading the League in tackles per game with 8.4. Hall notched 12.5 tackles and an interception in the Week 11 meeting against Dallas.

The Vigilantes also flaunts key additions to their roster going into the playoffs. Dallas center Greg Ryan returns to the team, which will help even the inexperience of Raudabaugh. The Vigilantes will also look to the experience of Head Coach Clint Dolezel. During his playing career, Dolezel captured an ArenaBowl Championship and is ranked second on the All-Time touchdown list behind Aaron Garcia. Dolezel has had a major impact on the development of Raudabaugh throughout the season and should help the Dallas team focus and know what to expect in the playoffs. The Vigilantes are going to need big performances from receivers Anthony Jones, Matt Fields and DeAndrew Rubin. All three receivers have reached over 1,000 receiving yards this season and know how to be effective in this League. Along with the running game from Derrick Ross, the Vigilantes have a number of weapons that are capable of big plays. In the two matchups this season, the Rush have been able to key on a few targets and minimize their effectiveness.

The game is going to come down to which team can make a few key stops. Both teams have showed this season that they are capable of putting up points. The defenses for both squads have proved throughout the season they are capable of making stops but have featured some lackluster performances. The Vigilantes will need a big performance from defensive lineman Dusty Bear, who has been very effective with 11 sacks this season. The Rush, on the other hand, have had an excellent defense all season and was a big reason for the two wins they have over Dallas. Chicago Head Coach Bob McMillen also has experience in this League and understands the difficulties that go along with the playoffs. McMillen is one of only two players that have won ArenaBowl title’s with three different teams. The Rush will be extremely difficult to beat at home where they have gone 7-2 this season, developing chemistry amongst the new quarterback, Raterink, and the weapons on the offensive side for Chicago.

The game should come down to which team can be more effective in all three phases. The team that can make stops, while also executing on the offensive side of the ball and special teams will be the one heading to the National Conference Championship.