LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – A 62-55 victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators impressed Arena Football League Writers Association members enough to elevate the Los Angeles Avengers from No. 3 to No. 1 in the latest rankings.

The Avengers (2-0) overtook the San Jose SaberCats (1-0), who was No. 1 in the first two polls. San Jose, which dropped to No. 2, was off last weekend.

Both teams can make a strong statement this weekend when they face each other at Los Angeles.

The voting was close, with Los Angeles receiving nine first-place votes and 125 points and San Jose getting seven first-place votes and 123 points.

The Chicago Rush (2-0) received the other first-place vote and is No. 3 with 86 points. Chicago moved up two spots after defeating the New York Dragons 56-44 and sending them down three slots to No. 7. Chicago has another tough test this weekend at home against the No. 5 Colorado Crush (2-0), and New York hosts the Dallas Desperados (1-1).

Colorado, which is coming off a 55-37 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage, was previously unranked.

The Carolina Cobras (2-0) advanced three spots to No. 4 after their 54-53 victory over the Columbus Destroyers. Carolina, which went 0-16 last season, hosts the Arizona Rattlers.

Defending champion Tampa Bay Storm (1-1) fell from No. 2 to No. 6 following its 70-62 loss to the Georgia Force. Tampa Bay is at the Austin Wranglers.

Entering the poll at No. 8 is the expansion New Orleans VooDoo (2-0), a 41-40 winner over the Indiana Firebirds. New Orleans is at Georgia.

The Orlando Predators (0-2) and the Rattlers (0-2) dropped out of the poll. Orlando was beaten 49-48 by Austin, and Arizona fell to the Detroit Fury 48-31.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.