Posted on 3/27/2008 3:31:15 PM

AFL Arena Football Betting Preview – Arizona Rattlers vs. Chicago Rush

By Mike Rose

AFL Arena Football Betting Preview – Arizona Rattlers vs. Chicago Rush 3/28

Game Time - 3/28 8:30 ET

American Conference action heats up Friday evening when the (2-2) Arizona Rattlers invade the ‘Windy City’ to take on the (3-1) Chicago Rush. The Rattlers have split both of their road games this season. They won SU as five and half-point underdogs at Utah back in week 1, 63-62, but then got throttled at division rival San Jose 63-43 as 15-point underdogs. Chicago has played three of its first four games at home this season, and carry a 2-1 SU and ATS mark at All State Arena coming into tonight’s game. They avenged last year’s American Conference Finals loss to San Jose to kick-off their 2008 campaign by taking the defending champs out behind the woodshed and handing them a 70-47 beatdown as one-point underdogs. They suffered a bit of a letdown the following week and got beat up by Tony Graziani and the Philadelphia Soul. Then in Week 4, they simply destroyed Colorado for their second win in a row.

The Rattlers picked up its second win of the season last week at home against New York. The defense was dominant as it prevented the Dragons from scoring an offensive touchdown throughout the entire first half. This allowed them to grab a 35-10 lead at the break that proved to be too much for the visitors to overcome. QB Jeff Smoker put forth his best effort of the season completing 22-of-31 passes for 240 yards, 5 TDs, and 1 interception. His favorite target was WR Trandon Harvey who hauled in 8 receptions for 110 yards and 3 TDs.

The Rush were simply fantastic in their 70-35 beatdown of the division rival Colorado Crush. The offense was bale to move the ball at will, the defense pitched a shutout in the 4th quarter, and OS Damian Harrell broke the AFL all-time TD reception record. QB Sherdrick Bonner was very sharp completing 19-of-23 passes for 216 yards and 4 TDs. Five players caught at least 1 TD pass including OL/DL Joe Peters on a hog screen at the start of the 4th quarter. It was the second divisional win and cover for the Rush this season.

Oddsmakers deem Chicago 13-points better than Arizona in this spot with the ‘total’ set at 107. Both the ‘side’ and ‘total’ can be wagered upon at BetUS.com right now.

This will be former Arizona QB Bonner’s first time playing his former team who’ve flat out owned the Rush in the series history. The Rattlers are 5-1 SU and 5-0-1 ATS in their six overall meetings, with the lone loss coming last season when Chicago upended them by a 53-47 final count as six-point road favorites. That said, Chicago is 13-2 SU its L/15 home games and 5-1 ATS its L/6 in its friendly confines.

Go to the BetUS.com online sportsbook today to bet on Arena Football. We have the most current Arena Football odds and lines. Join BetUS.com to experience the best in online sports betting action available!