June 27, 2024
By Adam Ruffner
1. Atlanta Hustle (+2)
Record: 6-2
Most recent result: 25-19 vs Carolina (W)
Next game: June 28 at Houston
Player heating up: Austin Taylor - 17 assists, seven hucks, and just two throwaways combined in his last three starts; completing a career best 96 percent of his throws in his eighth season
Winners of five straight, the Hustle have looked like the most complete team in the league over the past month. The Atlanta defense flustered and pressured Carolina into their first loss of the season with terrific coverage in one-on-one matchups—without Justin Burnett available, mind you—and forced the Flyers as a team to commit a season-high 23 turnovers. Meanwhile the Hustle O-line currently has the second highest success rate in the league, with all eight of their main rotation players completing passes at a 95 percent clip or better. With such good chemistry, it’s no surprise that this Hustle squad leads the league in red zone efficiency, and is 37-of-39 (95 percent) over their last three games.
2. Boston Glory (-)
Record: 7-2 (clinched playoff spot)
Most recent result: 20-14 vs Toronto (W)
Next game: July 6 at Montreal
Player heating up: Tyler Chan - 20 or more completions in three of his last four games; second on the team with six huck completions.
The normally low-scoring Glory have put up 42 goals in their last two games thanks to an avalanche of break scores from the defense. Captain Brendan McCann anchors one of the more reliable counterattacks in the league, and the D-line as a whole has a good feel for when to press in transition, and when to methodically work possessions. Boston was already a playoff team before Jeff Babbitt arrived in April, but punching their second straight postseason ticket before July is some serious business given their competition.
3. Carolina Flyers (-2)
Record: 6-1
Most recent result: 25-19 at Atlanta (L)
Next game: June 28 at DC
Player heating up: Jacob Fairfax - Averaging 3.6 goals and 335 receiving yards in his last three starts; two goals shy of his seventh straight season with at least 20
The Flyers were within two with under five minutes in the third quarter before letting go of the rope in their six-goal road loss to Atlanta. But even with the sound defeat and a remaining matchup with the league’s hottest team, Carolina still holds a 2-1 series lead on the Hustle this season and the inside track on an all important one seed in the South Division playoffs. What makes things complicated is the Flyers’ Friday matchup with the 8-2 Breeze in DC. If Carolina drops their interdivisional skirmish this weekend, it will make their July 20 meeting with Atlanta a virtual must-win.
4. Salt Lake Shred (-)
Record: 7-1
Most recent result: 23-19 vs Los Angeles (W)
Next game: June 29 at New York (Super Series)
Player heating up: Simon Dastrup - The emerging second year big man put up five scores and 329 receiving yards in his first start on offense as a pro
Even with Jordan Kerr sidelined in Week 9, the Shred offense had their most efficient performance of the season thanks to the immaculate backfield play of Jacob Miller, Luke Yorgason, and McKay Yorgason. The three passers combined for 158 completions without a throwaway, and kept the frisbee one step ahead of the LA coverage all game long with their quick and decisive movement. It was a much needed stabilizing game for a Salt Lake offense not-so-quietly hampered with injuries. A casted Kerr is listed as active for this Saturday’s “Super Series” championship rematch against the Empire. He will have his work cut out for him in a likely matchup against reigning DPOY Antoine Davis.
5. DC Breeze (-)
Record: 8-2 (clinched playoff spot)
Most recent result: 24-16 vs Montreal (W)
Next game: June 28 vs Carolina
Player heating up: Cole Jurek - Leads the team in goals, blocks, and points played; has at least one assist, one goal, and one block in six of his 10 starts this season
The DC defense has converted on 70 percent or better of their break opportunities in three of their last four matchups, which puts opposing offenses over a crocodile pit should they start making mistakes. On the other side of the disc, the Breeze have the most efficient offense in the league this season, and have been a top-four unit in each of the past four seasons. It’s a fitting feature on the resume of Rowan McDonnell, who became the first Breeze player to play in 100 games.
6. New York Empire (-)
Record: 6-3 (clinched playoff spot)
Most recent result: 29-18 vs Toronto (W)
Next game: June 29 vs Salt Lake (Super Series)
Player heating up: Elliott Chartock - 10 assists, eight goals, 116 completions, and 739 throwing yards combined in his last two starts
With the Empire making their spot to the postseason official this past weekend, the rest of the league is officially on notice. New York has three single-digit turnover performances in their last five outings, and their playmaking pop coupled with defensive intensity has returned. Elliott and Oliver Chartock have been taking over games in recent matchups, while Ben Jagt is looking like his dominant self again after a slow start to 2024. A third straight win over Salt Lake this Saturday would really give the mojo back to the two-time reigning champs.
7. Minnesota Wind Chill (+1)
Record: 6-1
Most recent result: 22-17 vs Madison (W)
Next game: June 28 at Chicago
Player heating up: Will Brandt - It took just three games for Brandt to lead the team in assists, and he’s already fourth in total throwing yards
Even with the absences of several starters on offense and defense, Minnesota handled Madison for the full four quarters to sweep the season series for the second straight year. And with every other Central Division team having at least three losses, a win tomorrow night in Chicago would all but clinch a first round playoff bye for the Wind Chill. Leo Sovell-Fernandez has unassumingly put together one of the most impressive rookie seasons in 2024, operating as a mistake free connector piece between the backfield and receivers. In his first seven starts as a pro, Sovell-Fernandez has almost as many games without a throwaway (4) as total throwaways (5).
8. Seattle Cascades (-1)
Record: 7-2
Most recent result: 24-13 at Portland (W)
Next game: June 29 vs Colorado
Player heating up: Zeppelin Raunig - 14 goals and zero throwaways in his last three games; needs 14 goals in last three games to get to 50 for the season
Sporting a 1-2 record this season against teams with winning records, the Cascades still have a lot of proving to do and might be a little too elevated in these rankings. This Saturday’s matchup with the Summit will not only be a big litmus test for this young and promising Cascades team—a win would mean Seattle’s first playoff appearance since 2016. Three of Seattle’s seven wins have come by double digits, with another victory by a nine goal margin, so there’s clearly a bigger gear the Cascades can engage. A big reason for the blowouts has been Seattle’s tenacious defense, which is currently holding opponents to the third lowest success rate this season.
9. Oakland Spiders (-)
Record: 5-2
Most recent result: 22-19 vs San Diego (W)
Next game: June 29 at San Diego
Player heating up: Eli Kerns - One of the most valuable offseason additions in the league, Kerns has three straight games with three assists and two huck completions on the D-line
The Spiders moved one step closer to their first playoff appearance since 2017 with their best offensive outing of the season in Week 9. It’s no coincidence that 2023 All Rookie selection Raekwon Adkins made his season debut; Adkins outraced all manner of San Diego defenders to the tune of seven goals and 408 receiving yards. But there’s still work to be done, and Oakland’s upcoming Week 10 road doubleheader through SoCal is the same test that derailed the Spiders’ postseason chances a season ago.
10. Austin Sol (+1)
Record: 5-4
Most recent result: 26-21 at Dallas (W)
Next game: June 29 vs Atlanta
Player heating up: Kyle Henke - Four straight starts with at least three assists, and coming off a career-high 536 throwing yards against Dallas; 11-of-11 on hucks over last four games
Are the Sol sleeping giants? They haven’t shown anywhere near the caliber of play that won them a division title in 2023, which makes last season’s deep playoff push look more and more pyrrhic over time for Austin. Dallas held a halftime lead before the Sol pulled away in the final two frames, and there’s just not much room for Austin to create separation from its opponents. Last season, the Sol led the league with almost nine break scores per game. Over their past four matchups, Austin is averaging under five breaks per game.
11. Madison Radicals (-1)
Record: 5-3
Most recent result: 22-17 at Minnesota (L)
Next game: June 29 at Indianapolis
Player heating up: Anthony Gutowsky - Four or more goals in five of his past six starts; first Radicals player since 2017-18 to have back-to-back 30 goal seasons
In two games against Minnesota this season, the Radicals committed 43 total turnovers and the offense converted just 25-of-59 (42 percent) of their possessions. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a Madison team that has fully assumed the little brother role in their border battle with the Wind Chill over the past few seasons. But while dreams of a first seed in the Central Division may have passed them by, the Radicals still have a firm grip on their playoff chances.
12. Colorado Summit (+1)
Record: 3-5
Most recent result: 26-22 vs San Diego (W)
Next game: June 29 at Seattle
Player heating up: Noah Coolman - After committing 10 throwaways in his first three starts of the season, the second-year Summit standout has just four throwaways in his last four starts
The return of Quinn Finer was evident from the Summit’s first possession on offense, and Colorado saved its season with their home win over a hard fighting San Diego squad. The Summit registered their fewest turnovers as a team this season, while also clocking a 2024 high with 10 blocks. It also cannot be overstated how important the midseason additions of rookies Nanda Min-Fink and Zeke Thoreson have been for the offense. Both have high motors with excellent decision making, and their reliability gives Colorado’s O-line a kind of ground game that sets up the rest of the system.
13. San Diego Growlers (-1)
Record: 3-6
Most recent result: 22-19 at Oakland (L)
Next game: June 29 vs Oakland
Player heating up: Matt Miller - Amassed 12 scores and over 1600 yards of total offense in Week 9; leads the UFA in total yards this season
The Growlers continue to be the best team with a sub-.500 record in the UFA. Though both Week 9 games resulted in losses, San Diego were within striking distance deep into the second halves of both matchups. This team has attempted to punch up against the competition by relying on the longball, which has produced mixed results. San Diego is sixth in the league in hucks per game this season, and has 32 deep completions in their last three games alone. But 13 huck turnovers combined against Colorado and Oakland this past weekend was too much to overcome, and now the Growlers playoff hopes are on life support.
14. Chicago Union (+1)
Record: 5-3
Most recent result: 19-14 vs Indianapolis (W)
Next game: June 28 vs Minnesota
Player heating up: Wilson Matthews - 14 goals and zero throwaways over his last three starts; leads the team in goals (29) and receiving yards (1853)
With 61 turnovers in their last two games at home along the shore of Lake Michigan, it’s difficult moving the Union up a spot in the rankings. But Chicago has battled to a second place position in their division amidst the chaos in the Central, and could really swing their momentum with a win over Minnesota this weekend. The Union fell by just two goals to the Wind Chill back on May 11, and Chicago’s defense has the schemes and depth to flummox a Minnesota O-line that can get rattled.
15. Indianapolis AlleyCats (+1)
Record: 3-4
Most recent result: 19-14 at Chicago (L)
Next game: June 29 vs Madison
Player heating up: Xavier Payne - Completing a career-best 97 percent of his throws while splitting playing time evenly between offense and defense; minimum one assist and 38 completions in all six starts in 2024
The AlleyCats’ first quarter lead faded quickly as Indy managed just nine total goals over the final three quarters of their loss in Chicago. The 35 turnovers is the most in a game for the ‘Cats since 2018, and nearly doubled their previous 2024 season high of 19. Already in fifth place in the standings, if Indy drops their game this Saturday against the Radicals, they will have a loss against each potential divisional playoff opponent, and really put themselves at a disadvantage for returning to the postseason.
16. Pittsburgh Thunderbirds (-2)
Record: 4-4
Most recent result: 24-15 at Detroit (L)
Next game: June 29 vs Carolina
Player heating up: Max Sheppard - Returned after a month-long absence due to injury and played 28 points with six scores and over 400 yards
Just when I was getting ready to trust this plucky Thunderbirds team, they surrendered to the Mechanix and ended the most infamous losing streak in pro sports history. And since registering just five turnovers in their win on June 2, Pittsburgh has 51 total turnovers in their past two games combined; the T-Birds have 23 or more turnovers in six of their eight games this season. Pittsburgh gets a crack at Carolina on their second game of a back-to-back this Saturday at home and then finishes their season with two of their last three games on the road.
17. Philadelphia Phoenix (+1)
Record: 2-6
Most recent result: 21-10 vs Montreal (W)
Next game: June 29 at Toronto
Player heating up: Dmitry Suvorov - Fourth-year receiver had a career high seven goals in Week 9, and currently leads the team with 21
Philly showed in their 11-goal win against Montreal that they still have enough fire to torch a playoff team or two down the stretch, despite being eliminated from the playoffs for the second straight season. And though the Phoenix defense has struggled to slow down a majority of their opponents, Philly’s D-line is currently the second most efficient rotation at converting breaks in the UFA; of the top 10 teams in defensive efficiency, only Philly and Indy have fewer than five wins this season.
18. Houston Havoc (+1)
Record: 4-5
Most recent result: 21-18 vs Dallas (W)
Next game: June 28 vs Atlanta
Player heating up: Ben Lewis - Averaging 396 receiving yards per game over his last three starts; leads the league in total receiving yards (2,896) and is fifth in goals (30)
Mathematically the Havoc are still in the thick of the playoff race in the South Division. But with all four of their victories this season coming against winless Dallas—and their last matchup with Austin resulting in a 10-goal Havoc defeat—Houston needs some magic to get off the launchpad. Yet for their limitations, the Havoc remain one of the most thrilling teams to tune in and watch, and they set a new franchise attendance record this past weekend in their big win.
19. Montreal Royal (-2)
Record: 2-6
Most recent result: 24-16 at DC (L)
Next game: June 30 vs Philadelphia
Player heating up: Tobe Decraene - Has at least four scores (assists plus goals) in all seven of his starts as a rookie; Decraene has more than double the amount of assists (34) as the next closest rookie thrower
The Royal’s two road losses in Week 9 eliminated Montreal from UFA playoff contention for the fifth straight time since 2017*. And while there are many more bright spots this season than in 2023, the Royal still struggle to generate scores on both lines. Montreal is bottom five in break scores per game, and they mustered just 21 total red zone chances over their two games this past weekend. They do have two remaining matchups with Boston, so the Royal could still figure into the playoff picture in the East.
* Though Montreal did win the Canada Cup in 2021, they have not qualified for the UFA playoffs since 2017
20. Portland Nitro (-)
Record: 1-6
Most recent result: 24-13 vs Seattle (L)
Next game: June 30 vs Colorado
Player heating up: Scott Radlauer - Three total throwaways in his past three starts; only Nitro player with over 1,000 yards throwing and receiving
Portland faces playoff level competition in each of their final five games of the season, which will be a rough road for a Nitro team with just two wins in their last 19 games. Head Coach Timmy Perston has made visible improvements for this team, even if their young throwers still engage the deep shot with a little too much gusto. And with no real defensive pressure to speak of—Portland is second to last in blocks per game—virtually all mistakes become costly for the Nitro.
21. Los Angeles Aviators (-)
Record: 1-7
Most recent result: 23-19 at Salt Lake (L)
Next game: June 30 vs Oakland
Player heating up: Everest Shapiro - Multiple scores in all eight starts this season; averaging over 360 receiving yards per game in his last three outings
For the second time this season LA traded punches with the reigning division champs before succumbing to the Shred. And though their fifth straight loss didn’t technically eliminate the Aviators, it’s been a dizzying turnaround for a team that last met the Shred in Salt Lake for the 2023 West Division crown. The offense hasn’t found their rhythm all year, and the defense, after showing good early returns, hasn’t had more than four break scores in a game since May 18.
22. Toronto Rush (-)
Record: 1-8
Most recent result: 20-14 at Boston (L)
Next game: June 29 vs Philadelphia
Player heating up: Zachary Armstrong - Had 14 goals and nearly 500 receiving yards in his first two games on offense this season
The eight losses the Rush have racked up this season ties a franchise high, and is the second time in the last three years they’ve lost at least two thirds of their games. And in their six road matchups of 2024, Toronto averaged just 16.6 goals per game while going 0-6. The Rush can lick their wounds at home in their final three games of the season, and still have matchups with Philly and Montreal that could be winnable.
23. Detroit Mechanix (+1)
Record: 1-7
Most recent result: 25-14 vs Pittsburgh (W)
Next game: June 29 vs Minnesota
Player heating up: Terry Gaither - Scary Terry has at least two goals in four straight starts, including a career-best six (more than he’s had in any other season in his career) against Pittsburgh
81 games. 2,611 days. And finally redemption, in convincing fashion no less, in ending the longest losing streak in pro sports history. Detroit’s 13 turnovers in the win were the third fewest over the course of their last 82 games, with one of the other performances coming at Indy’s indoor venue. And the 63 percent offensive success rate established a new franchise high for a single game. So now that they’ve caught the proverbial bumper: What’s next for Detroit?
24. Dallas Legion
Record: 0-8
Most recent result: 21-18 at Houston (L)
Next game: July 5 at Houston
Player heating up: Myles Armstrong - Multiple goals in all seven starts this season; back-to-back games with at least 242 receiving yards
With Detroit’s streak over, Dallas inherits the unfortunate handle of “longest active losing streak”, which currently sits at nine games. What makes that distinction especially brutal is that the Legion held second half leads in both of their Week 9 games. And with just two games remaining against Texas competition, Dallas is running out of opportunities to avoid being the lone winless team in 2024.
