Storm Prepare for Stretch Run
(April 11, 2005)

After ten games, the Tampa Bay Storm are 6-4 and tied for the last playoff spot in the Arena Football League's National Conference. They are also 1 1/2 games behind Georgia in the Southern Division. The last two weeks the team has posted key wins over Georgia and Orlando, but must find a way to win on the road to extend the league record of fourteen straight postseason appearances.

If you take a look at the playoff hunt, there are seven teams contending for four playoff spots. The Southern and Eastern Division champs will automatically make the playoffs, along with the top two remaining teams. Georgia (8-3) and Dallas (6-3-1) are the current division leaders. Orlando is 7-4, while Tampa Bay, New Orleans and New York are 6-4. At 5-6, Philadelphia is teetering on elimination.

The Storm are 6-0 at home, but have yet to post a road victory. With four of the remaining six games away from the Forum, that will have to change quickly. The two home games feature New Orleans and New York, so they will be huge. The biggest road game will be at Georgia. Games at Austin (4-7), Nashville (2-7-1) and Columbus (1-9) are probably must wins. Actually, the schedule does look favorable.

To make a bid at a sixth Arena Bowl title, the Storm will have win on the road and repeat its history of late season winning streaks.