LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – After 11 consecutive weeks, the San Jose SaberCats finally fell from No. 1 – barely.

The SaberCats, who have lost their past two games to drop to 10-4, were just a point behind the No. 1 Chicago Rush (10-4) in the latest Top 8 Poll, as voted on by the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA).

Chicago, which defeated the Dallas Desperados 45-41, received six first-place votes and 127 points to move up a spot. San Jose, which lost 44-35 to the Las Vegas Gladiators, had five first-place votes and 126 points to fall to No. 2.

Also receiving five first-place votes were the Arizona Rattlers, who beat the Detroit Fury 57-33. Arizona (10-5) had 120 points to remain No. 3. The other three first-place votes went to the No. 4 New Orleans VooDoo (10-4). New Orleans, a 44-40 winner over the Georgia Force, collected 111 points to move up one place.

The Colorado Crush (9-5) fell one spot to No. 5 following a 59-56 loss to the Indiana Firebirds.

Two teams moved into the poll. The Los Angeles Avengers (8-6) were No. 6 after beating New York 58-53 to drop the Dragons (8-6) out from No. 7. Also, the Orlando Predators (8-6) entered at No. 7 after topping Austin 43-26 and forcing the Wranglers (8-6) out from No. 6.

The Tampa Bay Storm (7-7), which was off, remained No. 8.

New Orleans is at Tampa Bay in the only game between ranked teams this week. Other games involving ranked teams include the Philadelphia Soul (5-9) at San Jose, Indiana (8-7) at Chicago, Colorado at Detroit (4-10), Las Vegas (7-7) at Los Angeles and New York at Orlando. Arizona is off.

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.