A 62-55 victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators impressed Arena Football League Writers Association members enough to elevate the Los Angeles Avengers from No. 3 to No. 1 in the latest rankings.  The Avengers (2-0) overtook the San Jose SaberCats (1-0), who was No. 1 in the first two polls. San Jose, which dropped to No. 2, was
off last weekend.  Both teams can make a strong statement this weekend when they face
each other at Los Angeles.

The voting was close, with Los Angeles receiving nine first-place votes and 125 points and San Jose getting seven first-place votes and 123 points. The Chicago Rush (2-0) received the other first-place vote and is  No. 3 with 86 points. Chicago moved up two spots after defeating the New York Dragons 56-44 and sending them down three slots to No. 7. Chicago has another tough test this weekend at home against the No. 5 Colorado Crush (2-0), and New York hosts the Dallas Desperados (1-1). Colorado, which is coming off a 55-37 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage, was previously unranked.

 The Carolina Cobras (2-0) advanced three spots to No. 4 after their 54-53 victory over the Columbus Destroyers. Carolina, which went 0-16 last season, hosts the Arizona Rattlers. Defending champion Tampa Bay Storm (1-1) fell from No. 2 to No. 6 following its 70-62 loss to the Georgia Force. Tampa Bay is at the Austin Wranglers. Entering the poll at No. 8 is the expansion New Orleans VooDoo (2-0), a 41-40 winner over the Indiana Firebirds. New Orleans is at Georgia. The Orlando Predators (0-2) and the Rattlers (0-2) dropped out of the poll. Orlando was beaten 49-48 by Austin, and Arizona fell to the Detroit Fury 48-31.

1. Los Angeles Avengers 2-0 (9) 125
2. San Jose SaberCats 1-0 (7) 123
3. Chicago Rush 2-0 (1) 86
4. Carolina Cobras 2-0 75
5. Colorado Crush 2-0 58
6. Tampa Bay Storm 1-1 45
7. New York Dragons 1-1 33
8. New Orleans VooDoo 2-0 27

Others receiving votes: Georgia Force 18, Austin Wranglers 14,
Detroit Fury 4, Columbus Destroyers 2, Dallas Desperados 1, Las Vegas
Gladiators 1.