Dallas looks to stay unbeaten in Eastern Division Showdown

Football Betting Lines

04/12/2007 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Key Divisional matchups, including contests for the top spot in both Eastern and Western Divisions, highlight Week 7 in the AFL.

The Dallas Desperados (6-0) welcome the Philadelphia Soul (4-1) for an Eastern Division showdown on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday on Monday, April 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com.

Dallas held a league-best 13-3 record in 2006, with two of those losses coming at the hands of the Soul. Led by QB CLINT DOLEZEL (1,628 YDs, 39 TDs), the Desperados have averaged 63 points per game this season and have not scored less than 50 points since Week 15 of last season, a 51-48 loss to Philadelphia.

Led by QB TONY GRAZIANI (1,300 YDs, 27 TDs), the Soul look to bounce back from its first loss of the season to Georgia, 57-49, on Monday.

This game will also highlight the matchup between the Leagues second ranked scoring offense in Philadelphia (63.4 ppg.) against the AFLs second ranked scoring defense in Dallas (44.2 ppg.).

This should prove to be a key component of the game as Dallas has comeback from deficits of 23 and 30 points in consecutive games to earn victories. Both teams offensive and defensive lines will play a major role in this game. Philadelphia and Dallas defenses have registered 9.0 and 8.0 sacks, respectively, while both offensive lines have allowed only one sack each.

The Western Division leading Utah Blaze (4-2) hopes to rebound from a 65-64 loss to the Austin Wranglers (2-4) on Friday. The Blaze will host the Los Angeles Avengers (3-2) on Friday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET on AFL NET.

Utah is 2-0 all-time against the Avengers, winning both contests by a combined total of four points in 2006.

Led by QB JOE GERMAINE (1,975 YDs, 42 TDs), the Blaze lead the AFL in yards (339.8 ypg.), scoring (66.2 ppg.), TDs (57), and total offense with 2,039 total yards. Germaine sits atop the League in passing yards, and ranks second in both passer rating (131.3) and TD passes (42). With one TD pass on Friday, Germaine will eclipse his 2006 total of 42 touchdowns. He and the Blaze offense are on track to break single-season records in passing yards and total offense.

The Los Angeles Avengers and QB SONNY CUMBIE (1,339 YDs, 23 TDs) are looking for their third road win of the season (1-7 in 2006) and can move into a tie for first place in the division with a victory.

This game features two of the divisions best as Utah WR/DB SIAHA BURLEY (48 REC, 702 YDs, 16 TDs) will face Avengers DB DAMEN WHEELER (23.0 Tackles, 3 INTs, 8 PD, 1 FR, 3 FF). Burley leads the American Conference in receiving yards (702) and ranks fourth in receptions (48) while Wheeler is tied for second in the conference in passes defensed (8) and interceptions (3).

The New Orleans VooDoo and QB ANDY KELLY welcome the San Jose SaberCats to the New Orleans Arena on Friday, April 13, at 7 p.m. ET (FSN - Bay Area - Live, AFL NET and SIRIUS Radio Channel - 119).

Kelly (1,414 YDs, 26 TDs) needs only seven touchdown passes to become the first quarterback in professional football history to pass for 800 career touchdowns. The VooDoo (3-3) are 2-1 at home this season and 14-5 all-time.

The SaberCats (3-2) are on a two-game winning streak, and are going for their second consecutive win against the Southern Division foe in three weeks.

This weeks games also include: Austin at Columbus on Saturday (CSN - Live, AFL NET); Tampa Bay at Orlando on Saturday (Bright House - Live); Grand Rapids at Kansas City on Saturday; Nashville at Arizona on Saturday (AFL NET); Colorado at New York on Sunday (FSN - Rocky Mountain - Live, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 119); and Las Vegas at Georgia on Sunday (Prime Ticket - Live, FSN South - Live).