Playoffs Are One Win Away

The Avengers began the season in February with an eye toward participating in the ArenaBowl championship game next month.

With their experienced and talented roster -- and two consecutive playoff appearances -- players, coaches and team executives considered a postseason berth a foregone conclusion.

But the Avengers head into today’s regular-season finale against Orlando needing a victory to ensure their place in the eight-team playoffs.

The Avengers (9-6) defeated New York and Las Vegas the last two weeks. They are in sixth place in the playoff standings, one spot ahead of Orlando (9-6) because of record against common opponents. If the Avengers lose -- they have not won three games in a row this season -- they would need help: New Orleans would have to defeat Austin, Philadelphia would have to beat New York or Dallas would have to defeat Tampa Bay.

“We still have a chance for a home game, so we definitely want to approach this game like a playoff game, just like we have the last two weeks,” Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss said.

Orlando has won six of its last seven games and three consecutively after defeating New York, 65-41, last week.

Rookie Idris Price, a linebacker and fullback, recorded two of the Predators’ five sacks and intercepted two passes, including one that he returned 44 yards for a touchdown.

Orlando, which has a league-best 33 sacks, also features defensive backs Damon Mason and Kenny McEntyre, who has a league-high nine interceptions. In the high-scoring AFL, the Predators have surrendered 40, 26 and 41 points in their last three games.

“They shut teams down,” Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani said. “They’re clearly the best defensive team we’ll have faced all year.”

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Graziani could become only the second quarterback to pass for 100 touchdowns in a season if he throws for six against Orlando.

Aaron Garcia of New York passed for an AFL-record 104 touchdowns in 2001 and 100 touchdowns in 2003.

“Anytime you can do what only one other guy in pro football has done, it’s something to think about,” said Graziani, who has had only four of 482 passes intercepted this season.

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Lineman Silas Demary is out for the season because of a torn triceps.

“Silas was a big contributor on both sides of the ball,” Hodgkiss said. “We have lots of guys that can rush the passer, but it’s always tough to find guys that can also protect.”

Former UCLA lineman Ken Kocher is expected to take Demary’s spot in the lineup today.