The 2010 AFL betting Playoffs have been entertaining up to now, but on Saturday, August 14th at 7:30pm ET, the War on I-4 continues in Tampa, Florida; when the Orlando Predators (9-8, 10-7 ATS) make their way into the St. Pete Times Forum to take on their “hated rivals” the Tampa Bay Storm (12-5, 8-9 ATS).

This match-up is sure to be the highlight of the Playoffs thus far. The War on I-4 has been the nickname for this rivalry dating all the way back to the original Arena Football League with the Predators leading the all-time series with a 23-22 advantage. They have also met in the playoffs five times and the ArenaBowl with each team winning once.

Orlando’s offense was amazing in the first round scoring an awesome 73 points. Starting QB Nick Hill was the leader of the scoring attack racking up 246 yards through the air to go with a TD/INT ratio of 6/0. The main star of the Predators offense was WR Bobby Sippio who was supposed to be suspended for the game, but was able to play and he didn’t disappoint. He hauled in nine receptions for 113 yards, four TD receptions and two rushing TD’s including the game winning catch with 8.7 seconds left. Dion Byrum also added an INT on defense for the Predators in their impressive win over the #1 seeded Jacksonville Sharks.

The Storm had several contributions on offense in their blow out win over the Tulsa Talons. QB Brett Dietz threw for 263 yards along with a TD/INT of 7/0. WR’s Sedrick Robinson and Tyrone Timmons combined to haul in 13 receptions, 147 yards and five touchdowns. RB Eric Ortiz added two rushing TD’s and returned a kickoff for a score. Erick McIntosh had two INT’s on defense for the Storm.

In the two previous AFL betting match-ups this season, the road team won each game. The second meeting was held in Tampa Bay in both clubs regular season finales. The Predators defeated the Storm 75-60 as 7.5-point underdogs, while the Storm took the first game in Orlando as 1.5-point underdogs.

The host Storm currently sits as 7.5-point home favorites with the game ‘total’ set at 109.5.

The 2010 AFL playoffs are starting on Friday! Today, we are ranking the teams left standing from #1 to #8 in the quest for ArenaBowl XXIII!

Mike Rose is coming off a fabulous month betting Arena Football going 13-6-1 ATS 68% in July. That makes him 40-24-1 ATS 63%  with a ROI of $5090 on the year. Join him as he looks to close the 2010 AFL Betting season out in style with a fantastic run through the Playoffs!
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Spokane Shock (13-3, #1 in National Conference) – The Shock started the season at 2-2 and rolled off 11 straight victories, one of the longest winning streaks in AFL history. Losing the last game of the regular season in Jacksonville was incredibly inconsequential, as the road to the ArenaBowl is going to run through Spokane regardless.

Tampa Bay Storm (11-5, #3 in American Conference) – Few teams in the second half of the season played as well as the Storm did. QB Brett Dietz set a franchise record by throwing for 106 TD passes this season. Tampa Bay finished second in the conference in total defense, and only because it gave up 75 points in a meaningless final game of the regular season.

Jacksonville Sharks (12-4, #1 in American Conference) – Give Jacksonville credit for surviving essentially two games without QB Aaron Garcia. This team played hardnosed ‘D’ all season long and ended up with the best numbers in the game at just 50.4 PPG allowed. The Sharks also went an AFL best 7-1 at home this year, and with the rest of the American Conference coming to play in their home, Jacksonville could be well on its way to the ArenaBowl.

Milwaukee Iron (10-6, #2 in National Conference) – The Iron scored the most points in AFL history this year at 1,043, and a lot of that was thanks to an offensive line that gave up just one sack all season long. Just like Jacksonville, Milwaukee went 7-1 at home this year, but it won’t be able to play in the Bradley Center due to scheduling conflicts. This week’s game against Chicago will be “at home,” but it might not feel that way.

Arizona Rattlers (10-6, #4 in National Conference) – The consummate dark horse to win the ArenaBowl, Arizona is a trendy selection having played Spokane tough twice this year. The Rats have probable Rookie of the Year WR Rod Windsor, who rewrote the record books for receivers on the season. This is a tall task to face the Shock and come away with a win, but ‘Zona is capable.

Tulsa Talons (10-6, #2 in American Conference) – We aren’t high on Tulsa’s chances of winning the ArenaBowl, but what is certainly on its side is the fact that it already knows it can beat Tampa Bay having done it earlier in the year. Still, playing six games in a division which only won a combined 12 games amongst the other three teams isn’t a ringing endorsement.

Chicago Rush (10-6, #3 in National Conference) – If HC Mike Hohensee is winning another ArenaBowl, it’s going to have to come without QB Russ Michna under center. The Rush is in big trouble right now with QB JJ Raterink calling the shots, as they lost their final two games of the season with him under center.

Orlando Predators (8-8, #4 in American Conference) – The Preds are going to have to face Jacksonville this weekend without OL Julius Wilson and WR Bobby Sippio after their role in a fight in the stands last week in Tampa Bay. This team already had enough problems, as QB Nick Hill is probably the worst signal caller in the conference’s playoffs. It should be a short stay in the second season for the black and red.