We are in the final quarter of the 2019 season and five teams are eligible for the playoffs, though some teams’ chances are greater than others. Not only are playoff spots up for grabs, there is also the opportunity to make an improvement in the Most Subjective (okay, the ONLY Subjective) Ranking in Arena Football.

To the rankings!

1. Albany (8-2). I only base this ranking on record – remember, this a subjective ranking - and not on the paltry third quarter that was played by the Empire in Week 10. They visited Philadelphia with a chance to lock up the number one spot going into the postseason. Things looked good in the first half as a turnover on Philadelphia’s first possession swung the momentum in favor of the Empire. They took a one-point lead into halftime, but in the third quarter, the Empire looked like a completely different team. The offensive line allowed their first sack of the season and QB Tommy Grady was picked off twice. The momentum swung back to Philadelphia for the remainder of the game as they Empire was shutout in a quarter for the first time this season. The Empire will have a lot to think about heading into their bye week.

Next Game: Following a bye week, the Empire hope that they will be able to lock up the number one playoff seed in Week 13 at Columbus.

2. Philadelphia (6-4). The Soul was riding a two-game winning streak heading into their game against Albany. The Empire had won their last two meetings going into this game and had never lost at the Wells Fargo Center. The Soul turned the ball over on their first possession, but matched the Empire score for score and went into the half only trailing by one. But their defense stepped up in the third quarter, forcing two turnovers and sacking Empire QB Tommy Grady for the first time all season. They went up by as many as 19. This game was an indication that the Soul Swag is indeed back.

Next Game: The Soul will have a shot at tightening their grip on second place as they travel to Atlantic City before a bye week.

3. Baltimore (6-4). The Brigade were coming off of a strange loss to Washington last Thursday night, so it would be interesting to see how they would respond against a scrappy Columbus Destroyer team. The result was a complete and total dismantling of the Destroyers. The Brigade defense had the most dominating games statistically this season in a 38-point rout: four sacks, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and shutouts in three out of four quarters. They even helped their own team with two touchdowns – one on a FRAT (that’s a Fumble Return and TD) and a Pick 6 – and a safety. This was an important win for them going into their bye week.

Next Week: The Brigade will enjoy a bye week, but will have an important match in Week 12 when they host rival Washington in a game that will affect playoff chances.

4. Washington (5-5). The Valor’s responded from a disappointing performance against Albany was a big win against I-95 rival Baltimore. Coming into their next home game against Atlantic City, the Valor had the opportunity to continue a march to the playoffs against a very desperate Blackjacks team. The Valor, however, laid an egg in front of their home fans as they were surprisingly overmatched on both sides of the ball. QB Arvell Nelson was sacked once, hurried twice, and threw four interceptions as they were thoroughly beaten by 29 at home. This was their largest home loss since losing by 35 to Philadelphia in Week 11 of 2018.

Next Game: The Valor will have a bye week next week, but will look to keep their playoff hopes alive in their final away game in Week 12 against Baltimore.

5. Atlantic City (4-6). The Blackjacks traveled to Washington to face the Valor for the second and final time this season. Atlantic City entered the game with a very slim shot at a playoff berth and a win against the Valor would keep them in the hunt. Not only did they win their first road game in team history, but they did so in a dominant fashion, whooping Washington by 29 (!!!). The defense had a standout game, containing Valor QB Arvell Nelson on the ground and forcing four interceptions. WR Antwayne Grant caught four TDs for the second consecutive week and Keiron Jones filled in nicely for Brandon Ings with a kick return TD.

Next Week: The Blackjacks will have the opportunity to improve their playoff chances with a home game against Philadelphia before enjoying a bye week.

6. Columbus (1-9). The best thing that the Destroyers could do for the remaining quarter of the season was to potentially play spoiler against teams in playoff positions. To start that quarter, this week’s game against Baltimore became one of the most forgettable offensive performances in team history. The Destroyers committed six turnovers (four INT, two fumbles), allowed four sacks, and were shutout in three out of four quarters. Ironically, the Destroyers had more yards offensively than the Brigade as their defense racked up 4 pass BU and two sacks.

Next Game: The Destroyers will have a bye week before their final home game of the 2019 season against Albany in Week 12.

Ryan McCarthy has been an on-and-off Internet columnist and blogger since 1997. He has been an avid follower of Arena Football since 1990 when the Albany Firebirds were established. Ryan currently attends Regent University, where he is pursuing his Bachelors degree in Communications with a Journalism concentration. He anticipates graduating toward the end of 2019. You can follow Ryan on Twitter at @rwhoisryanmcc