The results of this weekend’s AFL action has helped a great deal in clarifying the Arena Football League’s playoff situation, but some of the 2010 playoff pairings remain up in the air. With one week left in the regular season, the Rush still does not know which team it will be playing when it opens the playoffs on August 6.
The Spokane Shock (13-2), with the AFL’s best record, has clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Also, by virture of its win last weekend in Iowa, the Milwaukee Iron has clinched the Midwest Division title and the No. 2 seed in the conference.
The playoff seeding for the Rush and Arizona Rattlers, however, will be determined after this weekend’s play.
The Rush could end up as either the No. 3 seed or the No. 4 seed, depending upon the outcome of the Arizona-Iowa game this weekend.
If Arizona (10-5) defeats Iowa this week, the Rattlers will claim the No. 3 seed and travel to Milwaukee to open the playoffs.
If Arizona loses to the Barnstormers, the Rush would be the No. 3 seed and Arizona would be the No. 4 seed.
In the American Conference, the Tampa Bay Storm and Jacksonville Sharks are tied atop the South Division with equal 11-4 records. With one week to play, the team that ends up winning the South Division will get the No. 1 seed in the American Conference. The team that finishes second will receive the No. 3 seed in the conference.
With a 9-6 record, the Tulsa Talons have clinched the Southwest Division title and the No. 2 seed. The Talons will host either Tampa Bay or Jacksonville in the opening round of the playoffs.
By virtue of its win last week over Oklahoma City, Orlando has clinched the fourth and final spot in the American Conference and will open the playoffs at either Tampa Bay or Jacksonville – depending upon which team earns the top seed in the conference.
Here is a look at the current playoff seedings:
National Conference American Conference
1. x-Spokane 13-2 1. Jacksonville 11-4
2. x-Milwaukee 10-5 2. x-Tulsa 9-6
3. Arizona 10-5 3. Tampa Bay 11-4
4. Chicago 10-6 4. Orlando 7-8
x – Clinched Division
