Page 6 - Jared Perry News Today

Things are about to look very different with the Chicago Bears in the wake of the Khalil Mack trade.

The San Jose SaberCats (18-1) took care of business on Friday night and secured their spot in the National Conference Championship for a second consecutive year, silencing the Portland Thunder (5-14) at the SAP Center by a 55-28 margin.

Forty times, the San Jose SaberCats and the Arizona Rattlers have met in their illustrious histories. Six times they have met in the playoffs. There are 12 ArenaBowl appearances and seven championships between the clubs, and there were 28 wins between the two this year. On Sunday, one will advance to the National Conference Finals to take on the Spokane Shock.

With a historic defense, a dominate receiving corps, a dual-threat quarterback, and home field advantage clinched throughout the playoffs, there is no doubt that the San Jose SaberCats (17-1) are the current frontrunner to win their fourth ArenaBowl title. With that said, anything can happen in the AFL postseason, a period which has had its significant share of momentous upsets.

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The Chicago Rush improved their perfect record at home this season to 6-0 as they soundly defeated the Spokane Shock 73-62 on Sunday at Allstate Arena.

For the first time in AFL history, a team that never led in regulation won a game. The San Jose SaberCats took their first lead 67 minutes and 29 seconds after the opening kickoff midway through overtime. On the ensuing play from scrimmage, SaberCats defensive back Vince Hill intercepted Chicago Rush quarterback Russ Michna to seal the victory.

Earlier this season, the Portland Thunder struggled against the San Jose SaberCats and turned to Darron Thomas late in the game. Thomas put up a couple of late scores and sparked some excitement within the team, and he got the start the next week against the Los Angeles KISS.

Picture having to make a game winning kick with few seconds or no time left on the clock and having to kick the ball through these more condensed uprights for a victory. Sometimes, depending on the head coach, this kick can even mean if a guy remains on the team the following week.

The Arena Football League is ready for the stretch run to the end of the season. Everyone had last week off over the Fourth of July holiday so all twelve teams should be rested and ready to rock over the final five weeks in the season.