FIRST LOOK

AVENGERS vs. CHICAGO

When -- Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Channel 4.

Site -- Staples Center.

Records -- Avengers 10-6, first place, Western Division; Rush 9-7, second place, Central Division.

Record vs. Rush -- 1-0.

Outlook -- The Avengers are looking for their first playoff victory, having lost in the first round the last three seasons. The Avengers defeated the Rush, 52-49, in Staples Center on April 23 in a game in which they built a 45-28 third-quarter lead, then hung on at the finish. The Avengers turned three Chicago turnovers into points, including two interceptions by Damen Wheeler, and recovered a kickoff for a touchdown. Quarterback John Kaleo threw five touchdown passes. Chicago was 2-3 in its last five games. The winner of this game will play the winner of the other American Conference semifinal.

-- Chris Foster